Rated R for violence and language.
Directed by Edward Zwick (Blood Diamond, The Last Samurai)
Starring Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell
Definitely on our 2009 Top Ten list.
Based on an extraordinary true story, Defiance is an epic tale of family, honor, vengeance and salvation set during World War II. The year is 1941 and the Nazis have invaded Eastern Europe and are massacring Jews by the thousands. Managing to escape certain death, three brothers take refuge in the woods they have known since childhood. At first it is strictly survival, but gradually word spreads and before long, men and women from all over join them. Tuvia (Daniel Craig) is the older brother and reluctant leader who is having his decisions challenged by his younger brother, Zus (Live Schreiber). Zus worries that Tuvia’s idealistic plans will doom them all and would rather fight the Nazis head on. And Asael (Jamie Bell) is the youngest – caught between the fierce rivalry. This unlikely group of heroes must survive the harsh forest, hunger and even themselves if they plan on avenging the deaths of their loved ones while saving thousands of others.
TODD’S WORD: This true story of the Bielski brothers and their amazing fight against the Nazis is powerful, inspiring, and filled with hope. Early on in the film, Tuvia says, “We may be hunted like animals, but we will not become animals.” That line sets the theme, as well as the tension, for the entire film. Both brothers, as well as many of those in the camp struggle to live inside that truth.
JONATHAN’S WORD: The film was definitely inspiring, but a little difficult to watch at times. Zwick does an amazing job at setting up that tension between survival and revenge. Early in the film I struggled with the morality of the protagonists. But soon we saw them have the same struggle. The story raised so many questions about situational ethics.
TODD’S WORD: Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber are both phenomenal. Both of them deliver their lines with precision but it is their quiet moments and facial expressions that make them both stand out.
JONATHAN’S WORD: I agree. The casting was perfect.
TODD’S WORD: I’ll admit the pace is on the slow side, but I realized just a few minutes into the film that I didn’t want to be entertained, I wanted to know their story. I cannot even begin to understand the horror they lived through or the suffering they endured. So for me to complain that the pace was slower than I would have liked would just be wrong. This is not “popcorn-entertainment”, a “chick flick”, or a mindless action movie. It is a powerful true story in the same vain as Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan that is gritty, ugly … but very inspiring. It's the story of a group of people who suffered much, but refused to give or give up.
JONATHAN’S WORD: I probably never would have accused the film of being slow. I think some people will struggle with the violence. But I never was bored.
TODD’S WORD: I obviously loved the film, but the gem of the Blue-Ray is the special features. Seeing the children of the Bielski brothers and hearing their stories about their fathers made me want to immediately watch the movie again.
Please don’t miss this one.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
This one is a bit harder to answer. The violence in Defiance isn't as graphic as many R-rated war films and because it is history and because their story needs to be known – I think teenagers should see it. But I’m also sensitive enough to know that the violence and suffering may be too much for some, especially younger kids.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
