Shame on the professional critics who had a down on this film.

Rating: 7/10 (13 August 2011)

This film had very mixed critical reviews when it was released. One wonders if the subject matter had more to do with their comments than the quality of the acting and film itself. Shame on those who fail to see the quality and the high standard of acting and storytelling in this film. Set in Belarus and telling the story of the Bielski Jewish partisans; survivors of the Nazi holocaust and operation Barbarossa, the film explores areas of history not often covered. It is a pleasant surprise to see Daniel Craig playing such a rounded and fully developed character. This isn't a film where the stars are supported by a collection of also ran actors. This is truly an ensemble piece, which stands or falls on the weakest performance. There isn't one, so why the lack lustre initial reviews from those so called 'professional' critics. The film makers set out to show an accurate portrayal of the story as possible based on the real life situations that happened. As is often the case, the real world by far exceeds any ugliness the imagination can dream up and this is shown in ample measure. This film definitely does not leave you with a warm fuzzy, content feeling at the end. It does, however, leave you feeling you've been a participant in something special. Something you'll remember for the rest of your life. This review has been written after the second viewing, with a full 2 years between showings. Why the delay in watching it a second, time if it's so good? A surfeit of something good can leave the palate jaded and I needed to be in the right place to view it again. This film is definitely an acquired taste, but if you've acquired it, then I hope you'll agree it's a gem, that should be judged on its merits, more than its financial returns at the box office. Highly recommended.