Opening this weekend is The Way Back and it's the first film from director Peter Weir (Witness, Master And Commander, & Dead Poet’s Society) in seven years.  Starring Colin Farrell, Ed Harris, Mark Strong, Jim Sturgess, and Saoirse Ronan, the film is inspired by the true story of a group of "multi-national prisoners from a Siberian gulag in 1940 and their epic life affirming journey over thousands of miles across five hostile countries."  The film is based on Slavomir Rawicz’s acclaimed book, The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom, as well as other real life accounts.  You can watch seven clips from the film here.Anyway, I recently got to speak with most of the cast (here's Jim Sturgess and Ed Harris) and for today's interview I've got Peter Weir.  While I could have spoken to Weir for an hour, I only had four minutes with this great filmmaker.  During my limited time we discussed what was it about The Way Back that got him back in the director's chair, how did he get his cast, what are his thoughts on deleted scenes, and will it be another seven years before he makes another film.  Hit the jump for the video:Peter Weir

  • Before the interview began we'd been talking in the hallway and the last thing we spoke about was deleted scenes in his movies…which is where I started the interview. In retrospect, not a good place to start…
  • What did he cut out of The Way Back
  • What was it about the story of The Way Back that got him behind the camera again
  • How did he get the cast
  • Does he envision another seven years before he makes another movie
  • Before the camera shuts off, you can hear me mention how I would love another Master and Commander

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