Defiance - 2008

Paramount Vantage, Grosvernor Park Productions, Bedford Falls Company

Directed by Edward Zwick

Cast:

• Tuvia Bielski – Daniel Craig
• Zus Bielski – Liev Schrieber
• Aseal Bielski – Jamie Bell
• Lilka Tictin – Alexa Davalos
• Shimon Haretz – Allan Corduner
• Isaac Malbin – Mark Feuerstein
• Ben Zion Gulkowitz – Tomas Arana
• Tamara Skidelsky – Jodhi May
• Riva Reich – Kate Fahy
• Yitzak Schulman – Iddo Glodberg
• Bella – Iben Hjejle
• Victor Panchenko – Ravil Isyanov
• Aron Bielski – George MacKay

Story: Based on the true events in the forests of Belarussia during WWII, Defiance tells the story of four brothers who took it upon themselves to protect the Jews of their community from the Nazi invaders. The story does not portray the brothers as altruistic heroes, but pragmatic realists who know while they cannot defeat the Nazi forces, they also cannot allow themselves or their fellow Jews to be captured or killed by the soldiers or the corrupt collaborators who have been forced to do the bidding of the Nazi overlords. There are many conflicts within the camp as the Jews debate over how they will survive in the wilderness and how they will continue their way of life in such primitive conditions, and there is constantly one group that will favor surrendering over hiding in the woods, but in the end they are saved from extermination because of the leadership of the Bielski brothers. The end of the film features credits and photos of the Bielski brothers and their lives after they war.

Review: There are some stories worth telling, and this is certainly one of them. Four brothers are orphaned by the Nazis, the two older brothers lose their wives and a child, and because of their questionable past (at least one of the brothers was in constant trouble with the law), they have an intimate knowledge of the woods. In trying to survive, they begin to stumble upon other in the same boat, Jews being hunted by the Nazis and their collaborators. First a few here, then a few there, and eventually 1,200 Jews are in the woods. Craig reaches beyond the Bond persona to reveal a man full of emotion and depth. Schrieber is no less capable, and his emotions rise from the screen to reveal a man of deep feelings whose hardened exterior is an armor created for war. Ravil Isyanov connects with the audience as the typical Russian officer whose only goal is the annihilation of the Nazis. Mark Feuerstein is a formidable character actor whose contribution to the film creates the reality of common people attempting to rise above their common existence. Zwick's direction, the actors commitment, and the exceptional photography make this a film to own. It is, like Schindler's List, an exceptional tale of survival and courage.