There are moments in this film, artistically, that are alone worth going to see this film for. It is a good from beginning to end, but it has highlights some ethnographic moments, so piquant that the light up the world and remind us that each culture has incredible beauty, often hidden from the rest of the world. For example, there is the magical stark entry for just a minute or less of some Mongolian tribesmen on horseback and symbolic gestures that characterize their humanity, and also the outburst of childlike joy of Indian villagers greeting is a flash of great beauty typical of this film-maker's style. Peter Weir directed one of my favourite films, Witness, where he focuses with inspiring clarity on a community of Mennonites, where a cop, played by Harrison Ford, is forced to lay low for a few months. Weir gives credence to the exotic life of this community, and also a moment at the end where human decency is shown to have incredible power. He chose the subject matter for this Siberian escape film partly to reveal history. He does this by pointing out a few relevant facts so that even the most non-intellectually inclined person in the audience will absorb it. Great film to enjoy and also be grateful for, as it helps the cause of presenting lost chapters of a historical chain of events that must be remembered, else, if forgotten, it poses the possibility that it can be repeated in some form or other.

Sorry for all the typos above. Basically wanted to say that this film is not too "heavily" burdened by message, and that it is an enjoyable film -- a good plot, decent acting, and some piquant and majestic memorable moments of great beauty, joy and exotica that are typical of Peter Weir, the director's style.

The film is loosely based on the book. There was a little controversy as to the truth behind the story etc. and in the end, Weir is inspired by the stories of other names that come forward to give their account of their stories...
I love Weir as a film-maker, and will see the movie, although he does say that most of the film is fictitious...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/worl...