In an early scene of the World War II film “The Way Back,” a prison guard warns the prisoners of a Russian labor camp that Siberia is their true prison — not the guards.

And like the guard warns, the characters in this war film are faced with the most formidable weapons at nature’s disposal — far more villainous than any baby-eating Nazi or kamikaze pilot.

The movie follows the escape of a ragtag group of multinational prisoners from a Russian Gulag camp as they trek through the wilderness of Russia and southern Asia.

Movie Review The Way Home Dive verdict: 3 of 5 stars

While none of the performances stand out and main character Janusz’s (Jim Sturgess) Polish accent sometimes falters, the actors work well together as a unit to bring to life a collective sense of desperation.

When the escapees come across a well in the heart of a Mongolian desert, the actors’ groveling towards the water is like a litter of puppies suckling for milk.