[first lines]

[in Polish, using English subtitles]

Interrogator: [presents pen to sign confession]

Janusz: No.

Interrogator: Bring in the witness.

Janusz's Wife, 1939: [brought in]

Interrogator: Do you know this man? His name?

Janusz's Wife, 1939: Janusz Wieszczek.

Interrogator: Witness, what's your relationship with this man?

Janusz's Wife, 1939: [crying] I am his wife.

Interrogator: Accused, do you confirm this?

Janusz's Wife, 1939: Yes.

Interrogator: Witness, what do you have to say about the accused?

Janusz's Wife, 1939: [agonizing] From his conversation, I have come to know he is critical of the Party, especially the leader of the Soviet people, Comrade Stalin.

Janusz: What have they done to you?
Mr. Smith: Kindness. That will kill you here.
Mr. Smith: You should be grateful we are here at all.

Valka: Grateful is for dogs.
Janusz: We are not criminals. We are escaping from criminals.
Janusz: Why would an American move to Russia for God sakes?

Irena: The Depression.
Valka: Don't you know what "Stalin" means, funny man? Means man-of-steel. He takes from rich, and gives to poor.

Zoran: Yes, of course he does. Then he takes both of them, and puts them in Gulag for 25 years.
Valka: Prison is okay. Debt is bad. But there are many prisons, they don't find me.

Zoran: What about America?

Valka: Oh, it's not for me, freedom. I wouldn't know what to do with it, I swear to God.
Janusz: [eating snake] Tastes like chicken.

Zoran: Yeah. A big black poisonous chicken with no legs.
Mr. Smith: In the camps, some saw death as freedom.

Janusz: Then why didn't you just kill yourself?

Mr. Smith: Survival was a kind of protest. Being alive was my punishment.

Janusz: Punishment for what?

Mr. Smith: I brought David to Russia.

Janusz: And now no one can forgive you. And you can't forgive yourself...
Mr. Smith: Kindness. That can kill you here.
Valka: You say too many prayers for an innocent man.
[first title cards]

Title Card: In 1941, three men walked out of the Himalayas into India. / They had survived a 4000 mile walk to freedom. / This film is dedicated to them.
[last lines]

Man: Where have you come from?

Janusz: Siberia.

Man: Siberia?

Religious man: [speaks to crowd in unknown language]

Man: And how did you come, sir?

Janusz: We walked.

Man: Walked?

[crowd noise]
[last title cards]

Title Card: 8TH MAY, 1945 VISTORY IN EUROPE / 1945-1948 SOVIET UNION IMPOSES COMMUNISM ON POLAND / AN 'IRON CURTAIN' FALLS OVER EASTERN EUROPE / 1956 HUNGARIAN UPRISING / 1961 BERLIN WALL GOES UP / 1968 SOVIET UNION SENDS TROOPS INTO PROGUE / 1980 POLISH SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT CHALLENGES COMMUNISM / 1989 COMMUNISM COLLAPSES / POLAND FREE

The Way Back Quotes

Extended Reading

The Way Back short comments

Gennaro 2022-04-21 09:02:17

oooooooo! The male protagonist in one day! Do you think no one is following him? So handsome! When I was watching this, I almost forgot that there was colin in it~ I just looked at him. Ahem~ Going back to the movie itself, it may be difficult for those who don't know the background of the movie to watch it. It tells the dark history of labor camps in Siberia. The escape process was desperate and full of confusion, but fortunately the end was bright. Otherwise, you won't have to train tonight.
Duane 2022-04-22 07:01:31

Hike over 4,000 miles, from Siberia to India, freedom for life!