Movie - The way back

Plot:

The film begins with Janusz, a Polish POW, being interrogated for sabotage and espionage by a Soviet officer; however, he refuses to admit guilt. It then becomes apparent that his wife has been compelled to sign a statement accusing him of criticizing the Communist Party and Stalin, and acting as a spy for foreign powers. On the basis of this statement, Janusz is sentenced to twenty years in the Gulag.

At the camp in Siberia, Janusz meets Mr. Smith, an American, in the food queue. After being served, Janusz gives some of his soup to a starving, elderly inmate. Mr. Smith remarks that food is valuable and 'kindness can kill you here'.

Other inmates that Janusz encounters include an actor named Khabarov, a Russian criminal, Valka, who stabs another inmate in order to use his clothes to pay a gambling debt, and Tamasz, who makes a living by sketching erotic drawings in exchange for food and clothes. There are also Kazik, a 17 year old Pole who suffers from night blindness, Voss, a Latvian priest, and Zoran, a Yugoslav accountant with a cynical sense of humour. Khabarov confides to Janusz that he has a plan for escaping. After a lengthy discussion, they agree to hoard food until the end of winter, when they will both escape. They plan their route southwards to Mongolia, passing Lake Baikal. Some time later, on mine duty, Mr Smith tells Janusz that Khabarov is in fact lying about his desire to escape in order to improve his own morale. He adds that, in his opinion, escape is impossible but Janusz maintains his resolve. Valka, who feels his life is under threat due to gambling debts, demands that Janusz includes him in the escape.

One evening during a blinding snowstorm, Janusz decides to implement the escape plan. Mr Smith, Valka, Zoran, Voss, Tamasz, and Kazik escape with him. The snowstorm increases in intensity and the escapees consider returning to the camp. Janusz insists that the weather increases their chance of escape and cuts masks for the group from the bark of trees. The masks protect their faces while leaving eye holes through which they can see. Aided by the masks the group continue on into the forest leaving the pursuing guards behind ...