At the Movies with Fatwayne

Defiance is a movie based on the true story of three Jewish brothers trying to survive the Nazi onslaught in World War Two. We should all be knowledgeable of this tragic episode in human history. If you are not, may I respectfully request that you Google the Holocaust to learn of the atrocities committed on the Jewish people as well as others during this horrific time. Okay, you can do it after reading this review!

The Bielski brothers, Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber), and Asael (Jamie Bell) are forced to flee from their homes in Poland by the Nazis who are killing all people of the Jewish race. They take refuge in the Belorussia woods after their parents are murdered. They soon discover that they are not alone in the forest as they are joined by others also running for their lives.  As the news reaches them that there are many towns where their people are being killed, they decide to try to help as many people as they can.  It isn’t long before hundreds of folks have joined their group.  Faced with the knowledge that the German troops will eventually find them they become resistance fighters so that they can obtain food and weapons as well as get some revenge for their deceased friends and family who were unmercifully eliminated by their invaders.

There are other plot twists involving the brothers as well as Russian resistance fighters and individual stories of very courageous men and women faced with insurmountable odds of surviving. Beside evading their enemies they have to live outdoors in the winter with little food and no medicines. This is a story of human perseverance and the will to survive no matter what.

They lived and fought like this for three years. At the end of the war, over 1200 men, women and children emerged from the woods alive. As I previously mentioned, this movie is based on a true story! This makes it all the more intriguing and emotional to watch.

The actors portraying the three Bielski brothers do an excellent job in helping us discover what it must have been like for them.  I especially enjoyed Daniel Craig (James Bond) in a different role. The action sequences were very realistic and the scenery convincing.

Although on the long side (2  hrs. and 17 min.), I enjoyed the film and do not hesitate to recommend it to you.  Of course you must suspect that this is a violent tale so be prepared for it since it is, after all, a war story.

Rated  – R -

Fatwayne’s rating   –