A Good Film About a Lesser Known Story

Rating: 7/10 (4 June 2009)

Defiance is a good adaptation of a little known story of Jewish brothers hiding out in the Belorussian forests fighting Nazi's and their collaborators. All the whole, they save the lives of escaping Jews. Starring Daniel Craig (taking a break in between Bond films), Liev Schreiber (so good to see him in something more substantial than Wolverine where he clearly looked like he hated that experience) and Jamie Bell as the fighting Bielski brothers.
It's not a great film, as it is fairly predictable at spots and Daniel Craig generally playing one emotion for the majority of the film. It is effective and it is nice to see a film about the Jews in World War 2 who are not just lambs for slaughter for a change. I did enjoy seeing the struggles of the fugitive Jews to retain their humanity while hiding out in the forests. Edward Zwick does well in his direction. I give Defiance 3 out of 5 stars.