Defiance (2008)
Violence, mature themes and coarse language
| Director: | Edward Zwick |
| Actors: | Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, George Mackay, Mia Wasikowska, Jacek Koman, Jodhi May |
The year is 1941 and the Jews of Eastern Europe are being massacred by the thousands. Managing to escape certain death, three brothers take refuge in the dense surrounding woods they have known since childhood. There they begin their desperate battle against the Nazis. The brothers turn a primitive struggle to survive into something far more consequential - a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones by saving thousands of others. At first it is all they can do to stay alive. But gradually, as whispers of their daring spreads, they begin to attract others - men and women, young and old - willing to risk everything for the sake of even a moment's freedom. As a brutal winter descends, they work to create a community, and to keep faith alive when all humanity appeared to be lost.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 136mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
If you like this, try these:
Member Reviews (67)
67 Member
Reviews
Jill
says
Excellent movie. We enjoyed it very much. Highly recommend.
teknogramp
says
Daniel Craig played an excellent role, no wonder he got to be James Bond. One of the best war movies I have seen, and based on a real event of saving Jews from slaughter. A different movie to most and based in the Forests which represented Russia in it's beauty. Rather realistic with lots of bodies, and pure reality of life. A great movie to watch. It holds your attention.
Denise
says
Good
says
You'll want to watch it again and again
CL-D
says
This wooden and predictable movie that never rises to any great heights goes for a very long 136 minutes. Could have been done so much better. Can be put safely in the Hollywood war melodrama basket and safely forgotten.
kathy
says
an absolutely wonderful movie,,would reccomend it highly
Glenys
says
Amazing, really worth seeing and quite thought provoking
tuesdayfive
says
Not a bad movie. Overall, enjoyable and engaging. My only criticism is that the plot was a bit predictable - they could have made it a bit more dramatic. Good emotion though, fair acting. Worth viewing. The interesting thing is that it's based on a true story.
sunnycoastgirl
says
Excellent movie. Worth the ratings people are giving it. I thought a NAZI Movie I was not to keen on as they can be quite graphic but this movie just touched on the edge.
Colin
says
One of the best examples of where vengeance can turn good people very quickly into murdering thugs no better than the Germans. Wonderful movie. Very very realistic.
John
says
I tried this becuase it had Daniel Graig as the lead, but it turned out to be a rather predictable 'bang bang - Germans are all dead" war movie. Didn't finish it.
Abbyzen
says
That is a truly inspiring story, I really enjoyed watching it and was glad someone told this important but unknown story of Jewish resistance.
Louisa
says
While it was no doubt designed to be entertaining, it felt like they captured the real life emotions and reactions of the people as they go through the ordeal of being hunted, attacked or worse. In this way I felt I was given further insight to the events that occurred as Hilter and the Narzi's committed their acts of atrocities.
Glynda
says
Could not take my eyes off screen
Anne
says
Fantastic film and based on a true story which makes it even better.....
Sarah
says
Great movie. Once you get passed James Bond (Craig) with a very put-on accent, the movie is well told. The cast and crew appeared well represented by Jews, which no doubt added to the authenticity of the events the movie is based on.
marieles66@yahoo,com.au
says
Very good movie, held interest to the end
stanarosa
says
Good movie about very tragic circumstances.
Mary
says
I saw this movie previously and was so impressed I got it out so my husband could see it. He is a fusspot with movies but liked it very much.
Susan
says
very disappointing, too much of Hollywood in this one.
Azzardleigh
says
Well done and thoughtfully put together film, focusing on the humanity, and retaining it amidst the odds through a time when dignity and humanity is in short supply. Craig carries it will and it is good to see him in a gritty role. Not acadamy award winning but thorough and mostly believable.
Dave R
says
It was a little bit difficult in seeing "James Bond" play a Russian jewish peasant but all in all a good movie with a great storyline with a great ending. Highly recommend
Gabrielle
says
This movie was too slow for me. I found myself fast-forwarding through almost half of it.
Leah
says
Defiance is an inspiring story and a well produced movie, but it could be told in more detail and with more character development ie. 3 - 6 episode series.
JackieB
says
Great movie, the hardship those people went through is amazing.
folete
says
Very moving film. It's extraordinary how people can survive during war. The movie was totally engrossing and focusses on the triumph of the survivors rather than the misery of death and destruction. Stay away if you are feeling down but otherwise, quality viewing.
STEWART
says
A smoothly flowing and gripping epic tale about an evil chapter in European history. The film poignantly captured the chilly plight of fugitive jews evading the nazis murder machine in occupied eastern Europe.
Andrew
says
This is some of Daniel Craig's better work. Also liked Liev Schreiber, who doesn't usually do anything for me. Really interesting story and it's very well made. I read up on the true stories after seeing the film and it was amazing what these villagers and townspeople accomplished living in the woods. Worth watching for history and war film buffs.
Matthew B.
says
A well made film, with a great cast, but just not as rivetting for me as I thought it would be.
Amy
says
Very good movie, action most of the way through it and a great storyline with good acting.
JONBOY
says
Really enjoyed this and it gave me an insight into a period I am not too familiar with.
Quentin
says
I think that this movie did a little bit of justice to how these people had to respond and adapt to the constantly changing situation, and deal with the adversity of family and friends being killed senselessly. Liev and Daniel were particularly great in this movie
Laura
says
This was an amazing film and an inspiring story, normally true stories are marred when famous actors do them but this was definitely an exception
phil
says
DVD was faulty so couldn't even see this film
C Tillyer
says
Loved it! Days after watching this true story, I was still in awe of these people and how they survived against such overwhelming odds.
kimbo
says
Great movie and I enjoyed it
Vivienne
says
Although a true story, unfortunately it was represented in corny style....Why did everyone need to have an Eastern European acccent? The film was acted in english representing people speaking in their own language so why bother? Leiv Shrieber was the corniest. Very American styling.
BRANDIVINO
says
This film I enjoyed although it was in world war 2 and killing of the jews throughout was a bit gory, but the 3 brothers were real heroes to get those people/families through the forest and all the dilemmas they pursued. Tremendous acting, a story that kept you on the edge of you seat all the way through.
Liz C
says
An absolute corker of a movie! Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber are completely believable. These brothers are sort of like Belorussian Schindlers'; forming their own partisan army and hiding Jews from the Nazi's. Strangely Daniel Craig seems to get better looking when covered with ounces of blood, mud and facial hair. This is a moving story of great defiance that doesn't come across as hackneyed or cliched.
JT
says
Best known for his epic war movies like Glory, Courage Under Fire, Last Samurai and Blood Diamond, Edward Zwick has a shot at the Russian Jewish Resistance in WW2. Unlike his other efforts this actually struggles for pace with too many peripheral characters who slow an already ponderously paced movie.
Other than Jamie Bell, no one shines in this one and unless you're interested in the topic, you might want to see something else.
Lou
says
enjoyed this film a lot. great storyline and brillinat acting
Claire
says
Excellent film
Karla
says
Any movie with Daniel Craig in it has got to be good and this one is not exception. True story, great acting. Only negative is having to read all the subtitles when they are talking in German. - and there are quite a few.
Michelle.H.
says
A story, that if hadn't been portrayed in a movie, I never would have known about. Great acting, which does this important part of history, justice. A must watch movie.
Gary A.
says
Fantastic story of determination and the desire to survive.
the standard of the acting was first class. The story line kept us all with eyes glued to the screen.
Jeremy
says
Interesting story but a bit slow
gra
says
im not sure how historicly acurate this film is, but there is some terrible tactics employed by the fleeing protaganists, its a wonder they survived at all. im talking about retreating from the forests from advancing infantry only to run into a tank out in the open and proclaim a last stand kind of attack. the tank would not of been able to traverse the forest at all, and its completley pointless taking on a tank with small arms. but lucky for these people they where in a movie and help came in the nick of time :)
Geoff T.
says
A great movie. A must see.
Excellent acting and an extremely harrowing true account of the horror perpetrated by Nazi Germany towards the Jews.
John F.
says
A great cast tell a fascinating story of more of the horrors of WW2. Based on fact, my only complaint is the personal lives of many aren't delved into. None the less, a part of history that needed to be told and which further highlights how many unknown heroes from this terrible time still need their stories to be told. Well worth watching.
Darren
says
A good movie, but could have been made in a more authentic documentary type manner. It was like it was set on a stage with hero/villain unnatural acting. The plot is a gem of a find based on a real story.
Angelo L.
says
Daniel Craig is a great actor. This was fabulous, I thoroughly enjoyed it, wanting more. Brings to light and opens eyes as to how the Jewish were treated during Hitler days. Shows the desperation of humans and their willingness to put their bodies through hell to achieve a goal. The title of the movie Defiance is perfect.
Michelle C.
says
Brilliant, horrifying as its based on a true story, yet also extremely inspiring. Definately recommend.
Sunet N.
says
I was bored and can't give more than 2 stars for this flick full of cliches (Scenes
David H.
says
An excellent movie which tells a unique story of this horrible time in history that I had not heard previously. Interesting and well told, it is a dark subject but the movie manages to inspire despite, inp arts, the somewhat clumsy dramatisations.
curls
says
This movie depicted the attrocities of war , the story was well told and kept the viewer interested till the end. Daniel Craig is the real star, showing his versitility as an actor ( other than JB) this is one to watch again.
Corrina
says
real life drama....sad and exciting
David
says
To the point title.
Excellent movie with excellent direction and acting. Riveting action and violence suitable for the story (not overly violent). Great story based on fact.
Highly recommended.
Jandi
says
My rating 3.5 star.
It's the best of all the WWII movies about Jews in German occupied countries. Set in Belorussia. In this movie the Jews actually fight for their survival as their own self formed army, working together with the Russians. It is based on a true story.
I guess I feel I've seen enough of the story of the Jews in WW2 and don' tneed to see it yet again, but this is perhaps the best of them.
Believable and well acted.
Marianna P.
says
This movie was a great watch in that it showed how very difficult it was for the Jews during WWII. Some people may have found this movie to be a bit confusing or harrowing but I personally thought it was well acted for the most part. It showed accurately how difficult it must be to be in command of a large camp of people.
Frank T.
says
James Bond can act and what a wonderful job he does. Supported by a very convincing cast one is quickly drawn into the story and held there until the end.
RoyF
says
This was an awesome film i was going to give it a 5 but i have to take a mark off it for being way to long. it didn't have to be that long but besided that its an awesome film.
Sheila
says
Sadly, not what we were expecting. The acting was good but I think it should be categorised as drama and not as action. All in all, a bit too slow for us so we ended up turning it off to go to bed instead.
Kylie
says
AWESOME!!!!
Peter
says
A Fantastic movie, it just shows that the need for over-the-top special effects is not needed for a good movie in the 21st century. The story is told well and the struggle is captured magnificently. A must see movie.
gol
says
Based on a true war story. Shows the horror of war and the shocking persecution of the jewish race. Instead of accepting death like lambs to the slaughter some fought back to the extent 1200 survived the war. Watchable albeit disturbing what one race would do to another.
Gerd
says
This wasn't easy: not easy when it happened and not easy to watch the movie. Harrowing and somewhat confusing at times, but in the end uplifting and amazing. Just running a camp with a large number of people presents inevitable challenges to authority and clashes between individuals. And doing it in occupied territory during war time is something else again.
Luisa E.
says
Fantastic movie showing yet another side of the mistreated Jews during WWII.