Defiance (15)

@Phil - you spelt 'unintelligent' wrong. Doh!

Just below "The Pianist" in my opinion but should be ranked up there with that movie in one of the better holocoust movies. People who say they couldnt follow the story either are uninteligent or just didnt pay attention.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 I went into my local cinema to ask when they were showing it, only to be told that it had been withdrawn due to poor viewing figures.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.

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

brillent movie best film of the year so far

Daniel Craig may just be the first "Bond" to escape the black-whole gravity of the franchise, but don't count on it. But while he may just end up on the type cast trash heap yet; he's at least made an effort at relevency by accepting a common part in an uncommon film. His leading man experience is a comfortable fit, but the demands of the character and setting appear to have leached out the actor in him. He does a good job. We never really buy the "bad boy turned good" image; his support; magnificently applied by Liev-Schreiber, carries the weight for him. They have first rate chemistry; and we CAN buy them as a team. Schreiber's bad boy stick covers them both, so it works. But the subject matter is the real surprise here. WWII is a well worn subject, but the surface has barely been scratched as far as story potential is concerned. And "Defiance" breaks fairly new ground. With the exception of the Warsaw Uprising we never get to see European Jewry fighting back. It's refreshing to see something other than thousands of Jews walking calmly to the gas chambers like so many lemmings. I consider myself well versed in history, particularly of that period. But I've never heard this story; and since have been pleased to see it's not the only one. Lets hope we see more. From a cinematic standpoint the movie is good; and it has broad appeal. There's enough shootem' up for the average moviegoer to find it accessible and enough drama to be emotionally compelling to most viewers. A lot has been made of the male-heavy cast, but I found the females to be real stand-outs. My only complaint about the movie I have is that the coaches seem to have dropped the ball on the accents. The main characters are all supposed to be Jewish, but some of the cast use Russian accents, some seem to have Israeli ones, and still others have Jackie Mason style NY-Yiddish accents. And what's worse, the Bielski brothers all have different ones! It's a minor quibble though. This film is way overdue: an insightful, dramatic, well-filmed, and accessible action film that entertains all the way through.