Today’s quick review: Defiance. As German soldiers slaughter Jews across Belorussia, the Bielski brothers—Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber), and Asael (Jamie Bell)—take to the woods with a group of Jewish survivors. Stealing weapons and food, the survivors hide from German patrols as they try to eke out a meager living. But as winter sets in and conditions grow worse, the conflicting personalities of Tuvia and Zus drive the brothers apart.
Defiance is a war drama that tells the true story of a band of Jewish survivors during World War II. Defiance follows the Bielskis as they struggle to keep the group alive and united in spite of hunger, disease, and slaughter. The film does a capable job of capturing the hardship, trauma, and difficult moral choices faced by Eastern European Jews during Nazi occupation. Still, it lacks some of the artistry and emotional impact found in similar stories.
Defiance is a sober tale of survival that’s carried by its frank portrayal of its subject matter. Tuvia, Zus, and Asael shoulder the burden of leading a motley group of survivors who have lost everything. Every setback brings another choice for the brothers to make: take the risks of showing compassion, or sacrifice their humanity to survive. The unpredictable ways these choices play out make the movie a tense watch with unusual moral depth.
However, Defiance will not appeal to everyone. The sober tone and relatively static plot will fail to engage some viewers. The emotional moments for the characters are satisfying enough, but they are not given the same emphasis as the broader tragedy of the situation. And while the craftsmanship is sound, Defiance is missing the superlative quality found in some of its peers. Defiance avoids any major mistakes, but it also misses a few opportunities.
Defiance is a well-crafted drama that does justice to the hardships faced by a courageous group of people. Those who are interested in historical drama, difficult moral choices, or the personal side of World War II would do well to give it a shot. However, Defiance is difficult movie that will not appeal to everyone. Steer clear if you are looking for a more optimistic war movie or a more triumphant tale of survival.
For a more artistic, moving tale about the Holocaust, try Schindler’s List or Life is Beautiful. For the fictional story of a band of survivors in conquered territory, try Red Dawn.
7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for weighty moral drama.