So weit die Füße tragen

I saw this film as part of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts film series. It is an extremely well-acted and well-produced adventure, based on the true story of a German POW's incredible journey through the dauntingly wide expanses and multi-ethnic terrain of the former Soviet Union in the late '40s and early '50s. It is beautifully shot on location, outdoor scenes of the rugged Russian landscape being a principle attraction. It is also quite well-acted by Bettlemen, who evokes both sympathy with and admiration for his character, and the rest of the cast. The principle actor spoke for about an hour afterwards. As he admits, the film does not go into detail about why the prisoners were there--no doubt some of them deserved punishment. However, many scenes also concentrate on the main character's wife and children back in Germany. Bettlemen, whose grandfathers both died in Russian POW camps after WWII, said he did the film as much to illustrate their family's plights as that of the prisoners.

The film (and the book) also illustrate that Samaritanism is not dead, and was not, even in Russia at this time. Forrell was, after all, a German soldier, but he would have been unable to cross Siberia without help from people of many diverse people. As Bettlemen related, "People will help a creature driven into the dust, even if it is their worst enemy."

I had the great pleasure of seeing this film at the 2001 Houston Int'l film fest and spoke briefly with the director. This is an exceptional film both in terms of subject and technical production. For far too long the German heroes of world war two, ordinary family man who's lives were destroyed by Hitler's war machine as thoroughly as those the German's invaded, have been considered guilty by association. As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me, a film version of an equally excellent book, tells the true story of one man and his struggle both during the war and in a Russian concentration camp, and his ensuing decades long struggle to rejoin his family. While the film does stray from reality, it does so to great dramatic effect (the scene on the bridge). I have been pining for four years now to get my hands on a copy of this film for my home collection. If you ever get a chance to watch this film it is one of the best war films you will ever see.

I agree with some other commentators who said that this movie was somewhat overtly dramatic - in some points getting almost too sugary/tear-jerking experience. I haven't read the book so it is hard to comment how faithful the film is to the book, but seems that the authors of the film almost a bit overemphasized the great survival story and the connection between the father and the child.

This is counter-balanced by good acting, rather good cinematography and beautiful images of nature. "So weit die Füsse tragen" is fairly entertaining as an adventure film and I was strangely attracted by the story about travelling through endless wastes of Siberia. The portrayal of nature is captivating. The film isn't a remarkable masterpiece, but I'd still recommend seeing it if the subject sounds appealing. After all, German POWs in Russia isn't exactly the most worn subject of films.

Clemens Forell, a German Army officer, is captured by the Soviets in World War 2 and sentenced to 25 years in a labour camp in the Eastern part of Siberia. For five years he endures enormous hardship but is determined to see his family again. One day he escapes, commencing an incredible, arduous, danger-filled journey. His former jailer and tormenter, Lieutenant Kamenev, pursues him and is determined to recapture him at any costs.

An incredible tale, based on a true story. At 158 minutes a bit long: the first hour or so, depicting Forell's imprisonment, the inhumane conditions he lives under and the brutality of the guards, is a bit of a slog.

However, once Forell escapes it is incredibly compelling viewing. Initially a pure tale of survival but once he meets people it's also a story of the better angels of human nature. Some wonderfully selfless acts.

In addition to showing Forell's trials and tribulations we see Kamenev's efforts to recapture him. This heightens the tension as we have a deadly game of cat and mouse. The final confrontation between the two is a bit cheesy though.

An incredibly emotional final scene rounds off a great movie.

A german guy arrested and take him to jail which has hard mining work.then he escape from that place to his native..great journey of him throughout film.. I lik this story and screenplay but i am not impressed in photography.. Must watch movie..!