i would walk 4000 miles

Rating: 6/10 (14 May 2011)

I have always had a soft spot for prison breakout movies boosted by viewing The Shawshank Redemption, which itself still has to be beaten in terms of uplifting endings. Credit to the filmmakers here for presenting in celluloid some the crimes committed in the name of Soviet communism.
Yet the film just lacks what it takes to make it something special. It doesn't help that the film was released as a safe certificate 12. Not that it should have been a blood fest but there is no grit to the attempted realism on display. The breakout itself is so rushed the plot moves in a matter of seconds from discussing the possibility of it to the prisoners actually being in the forest outside the camp. The scenery along the journey is terrific as is the prison camp set but the film is a shade too long and your attention may wonder. The introduction of the female escapee to the group was also unnecessary. On the plus side the acting from all those involved is top quality. In terms of home video this one would definitely be a rental rather than a purchase.