The Way Back

The film begins with Janusz, a Polish POW, being interrogated by a Soviet officer. Janusz refuses to admit his guilt. His wife is brought in to the room and forced to make a statement condemning Janusz. Janusz is sentenced to 20 years in the gulag. At the camp in Siberia, Janusz meets Mr Smith, an American; an actor named Khabarov; Valka, a hardened Russian criminal; Tomasz, who makes a living by sketching erotic drawings in exchange for food and clothes; Kazik, a Pole who suffers from night blindness; Voss, a Latvian priest; and Zoran, a Yugoslav accountant. Khabarov confides to Janusz that he has a plan for escaping. Khabarov's proposed route is south to Mongolia, passing Lake Baikal. Mr Smith tells Janusz that Khabarov is fantasising about his desire to escape in order to improve his own morale, and that, in his opinion, escape is impossible. Janusz maintains his resolve. (Entertainment One)