While the Camino de Santiago was already a world famous pilgrimage before The Way movie came out, the movie certainly helped the Camino de Santiago become a household name. Starring Martin Sheen and directed by his son, Emilio Estevez, for a lot of pilgrims along the Camino it was this film that was the inspiration.

While there's definitely an element of 'Hollywood' about the film (it's definitely not a documentary!), it is surprising that so many of the meaningful moments, e.g. the moving self discovery, the forming of unlikely friendships, the tough sections of the trail leading to fond memories; are actually common experiences felt by all those who walk the Camino de Santiago.

 

 

 

As translated from Spanish newspaper La Voz de Galicia: 
 

"'Emilio Estévez: "''The Way'' has moved so many people that a sequel had to be made".
 

The father of the actor and director, Martin Sheen, also stars in the second part of the film, which will be shot in the fall [autumn].

The Way, the film about the Camino de Santiago directed by Emilio Estévez, with his father, Martin Sheen, as the protagonist, returns to North American cinemas: it can be seen this Tuesday in more than 800 theatres throughout the country.  A re-run that is quite a milestone for a film more than ten years old.  

A second life that is going to be extended even more with the filming of a sequel.  Estévez explains from his house in California that he should be in Compostela right now for the pre-production of the feature film, but that he has stayed to support the promotion of The Way's return to the big screen.

The sequel takes place in Nigeria, Brussels, Dublin, Amsterdam and along the Northern Camino.  It's a more international film, but the destination is still the Camino, and that's where a good part of the film takes place'."

 

> Read article (in Spanish)

> View Camino Norte route and trips

 

Martin Sheen plays Tom, an American doctor who comes to St. Jean Pied de Port, France to collect the remains of his adult son, killed in the Pyrenees in a storm while walking The Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James. 

 

Driven by his profound sadness and desire to understand his son better, Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage, leaving his "California bubble life" behind. Armed with his son's backpack and guidebook, Tom navigates the 800 km pilgrimage from the French Pyrenees, to Santiago de Compostela in the north west of Spain, but soon discovers that he will not be alone on this journey. 

 

While walking The Camino, Tom meets other pilgrims from around the world, all broken and looking for greater meaning in their lives: a Dutchman (Yorick van Wageningen) a Canadian (Deborah Kara Unger) and an Irish writer (James Nesbitt) who is suffering from a bout of "writer's block." 

 

From the hardship experienced along "The Way" this unlikely quartet of misfits create an everlasting bond and Tom begins to learn what it means to be a citizen of the world again, and discovers the difference between "The life we live and the life we choose". The Way movie was filmed entirely in Spain and France along the actual Camino de Santiago.
 

 

 

If you would like to watch The Way movie, you'll be able to find a digital copy on Amazon or Apple iTunes. 

 

If you're in Australia you can watch The Way for free on SBS On Demand.

 

UTracks offers a comprehensive range of Camino trips. Whether walking or cycling, self-guided or guided, luxurious or short trips, you'll find an unforgettable Camino experience. 
 

> Walk the Full Spanish Camino (the route they take in the film)

> View all Camino de Santiago trips.

 

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