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Defiance (2008)

Director: Edward Zwick

Time Out rating

Average user rating

24 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

After ‘Glory’ and ‘The Last Samurai’, Zwick stays firmly in his comfort zone with another tale of plucky outsiders forced into military service. This time it’s the Bielski brothers, leaders of a group of Belorussian Jews who hid in the woods during the Nazi occupation.

Clearly relishing the opportunity to do more than smirk and shoot people, Daniel Craig frowns and shoots people as older brother Tuvia, who attempts to hold the community together while sibling Zus (Liev Schreiber) heads off to join the partisans. It’s an extraordinary tale, fully deserving of the hefty Hollywood treatment. The Bielskis sheltered anyone and everyone, even going so far as to liberate a nearby ghetto.

Which only makes Zwick’s predictable treatment of the material more frustrating. His films have always been trad Hollywood, with more old-school style than actual substance. ‘Defiance’ doesn’t even have style, hemmed in by its forest setting and photographed with an unremittingly bland colour palette. The action sequences are perfunctory and confusing, full of smoke and fury, acting to force the story forward rather than set the pulse racing. The film ties itself in knots trying to be both historical account and ripping adventure – ‘Schindler’s List’ by way of ‘The Dirty Dozen’. In the end neither aspect satisfies, resulting in a drab if diverting Sunday afternoon spectacle.

Author: Tom Huddleston 2009-01-06 10:28:24

Time Out London Issue 2003, 8 - 14 Jan, 2009

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User reviews of this film

PHIL said...

Posted on May 21 2009 13:00 I rented this film not really knowing the story behind it. I was simply told by my brother its war film about the jews. I picked up the copy and me and my girlfreind were very pleased with our choice. Is it accurate to history? Who knows, but its a great film. I didnt get bored at all throughout. After reading the text at the end (i wont put as it may spoil the end) i was mazed at what people will do and can acheive when needed. A truly good film in my opinion.

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billy said...

Posted on May 08 2009 09:14 Absolutely excellent film. We were gripped from start to finish. Incredible story of how the human spirit will not be broken even in the most dreadful situations.

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Tom said...

Posted on Apr 16 2009 01:18 Oh what could have been. A superb (and true) story with two great lead actors and some great actions scenes. Shame the film failed to live up to its potential. With a confusing and obtuse plot and strangely awful diaglogue 'Defiance' fails where other Holocaust-movies succeeded. Had the reveal of the mass-graves been better placed or the character been given a clearer background, then maybe this film would have been a ground-breaker. But for a real top film stick to 'Schindler's List' or even the episode of 'Band of Brothers' in which the Holocaust is covered. Disappointing.

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Mick A said...

Posted on Mar 25 2009 14:34 Stunning film. Why Time Out gave it only two stars is beyond me. It is significant that the viewing public have, with one or two exceptions, given it many stars. There are few films that I would watch again. This is one of them.

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Jez said...

Posted on Feb 20 2009 20:00 I've not seen the film yet (but have read the book which was compelling in parts). I went into my local cinema to ask when they were showing it, only to be told that it had been withdrawn due to poor viewing figures. Thinking that it was just VUE cinemas not showing it, I went on the CINEWORLD website, only to find the same. Why, I ask, has it been taken out barely one month after release. I really do fancy watching this film but it appears that I will miss out on the big screen and have to put up with it if and when it is released on DVD.

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Ellie said...

Posted on Feb 05 2009 21:54 This film was absolutely wonderful - cannot believe the two star rating it got. Everyone was silent coming out of the cinema - it has stayed with me for days. Daniel Craig was brilliant but the best actor for me was Liev Schrieber - went home and saw him playing Cotton Weary in Scream - from the sublime to the ridiculous - now realise what a wonderful actor he is - best film I have seen for a long time but I must admit my husband chose it and I went along rather reluctantly - took my breath away

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matt said...

Posted on Feb 03 2009 09:57 brillent movie best film of the year so far

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Sue Anne said...

Posted on Jan 26 2009 21:05 I really enjoyed the movie.. but am I the only on that saw the boom... and the extension arm AND the wire to the boom... several times?

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Adam said...

Posted on Jan 21 2009 22:26 A great film. the best film ive ever seen,even more so that it is based on a true story makes it even better. it shows accuratly the treatment of the nazis to the jews. great film!!

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Emily Colbourne said...

Posted on Jan 19 2009 13:52 Abolutely brilliant and I would highly recommend it. It is an historical film telling the true life story of how the Bielski brothers (played by Craig, Bell and Schreiber) saved hundreds of lives of Jews from the Nazis. It is 2 and 1/4 hours but you do not notice the length at all as it is so compelling. It is very moving in parts and I think that it is an important historical piece of history that we should remember so as to avoid such discrimination in the future. It is credit to Craig that he took on the role of Tuvia. I actually thought he was better in this than Bond! I dragged my boyfriend to see this film and he rated it as excellent too, really enjoying all the fight scenes.

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Lee said...

Posted on Jan 19 2009 01:31 A Compelling, true story. The most important factor, shown at the end is how many lives have developed from those who were saved. There were so many willing to a accept the hope that the work camps were only that. The Russian anti-semitism comes through even today as shown in some of the reviews here talking about the Palastinians, where by the way Hamas, like the Nazis, are trying to kill the Jews. those who sympathize with Hamas are no better .

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Sam said...

Posted on Jan 17 2009 10:00 Time Out have missed the point completely. This was an excellent historical account of a true story. Beautiful cinematography contrasts with the extreme hardship that these people obviously endured. At the end I was left with an overwhelming hope that neither I nor my family ever have to exprience living in fear like this. Well acted and thoroughly thought provoking. The desired result I should think.....................

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usman khawaja said...

Posted on Jan 17 2009 08:15 a distant dalliance devoid of drama-
craig is a superstar but his choices of wanting to be diverse are rather drab ,non dramatic and dubiously produced endeavours in between the bond epics ,
this is well meaning so called true account of 3 brothers in byelorussia who were clever enough to fight the nazis rather then be slaughtered like asteer in a slaughter house like some other souls ,
but where is the script and what about characterisation of real life persons ,
everything is so well defined like a child making a sketch in a nursery on a fill me in draw book .
you are either black or white and there are the customary communal problems in a frozen forest with wolves and food rationing ,
the action is poorly staged and it looks worse the the 50s b movies ,
which is amazing since danny boys got loads of clout to get cash .
no body impresses with their act and liev schreiber sleep walks while craig looks like he was rehearsing here for solace with a morose face ,
thewomen are a waste of time and space and have nothing to do but cook or court the brave men .
if it is a tribute to the bravery of bieleskys then indeed it is well meaning but very limp cinema and anyway it maes you wonder why the other 6 million did not follow their example as indeed they seemed to make this look pragmatic and not that hard a task too .
aphorism -god helps those who helps themselves but daniel craig needs a director and a script too-when he is bondless as well .
better luck next time but a definite improvising on flashbacks of fool -that was too foolhardy to tolerate ,

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An administrator said...

Posted on Jan 16 2009 10:36 I am yet to see the film. However, in response to 'A doctor', I don't feel that an incorrect prescription for Typhus will have too much of an impact on how much I do (or don't) enjoy the film...may be just me though.

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Rhonda said...

Posted on Jan 15 2009 21:54 Extremely moving film. Well told and lots for people to learn from. Not my kind of film but I thoroughly enjoyed it.. Makes you realise what oher families at war have to continue going through, even today. Not much has changed. Very well portrayed.

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