A war movie that flew under the radar earlier this year, “Defiance” is based upon a novel, telling a true story of survival during World War II. A 2008 Oscar contender that snuck in under the wire with a limited theatrical release on December 31, 2008¾don’t even get me started of my thoughts on this practice¾“Defiance” is an immersive story of sacrifice, loss, and struggling to maintain your humanity in inhumane conditions. The film follows three brothers as they protect a growing community of Jews in the Belarussian forest. The powerful, almost fatherly presence of Daniel Craig (“Quantum of Solace”) as the eldest brother holds together an otherwise bleak story. The familial connection of the three brothers, as they support or disagree with one another, is the true heart of this story. The viewer’s fondness for these main characters and their overriding mission, carries the film through some long stretches of darkness and grief.
Craig is Tuvia Bielski, the oldest of three brothers, who lose their families during the Nazi invasion of their homeland. While Tuvia has been away, the second brother Zus (Liev Schreiber; “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”) has been acting as head of household for the extended family. There is noticeable tension between the brothers as they have different ideas of what should be done after learning of the deaths of family and friends. The youngest brother, Asael (Jamie Bell; “Jumper”), is caught in the middle of the two, trying to support both of their wishes. The brothers are natural leaders, surviving in the forest as the Nazis and those loyal to them take control of the towns and cities. Jewish men, women, and children turn to the Bielskis for protection, changing the brothers original motivations. Soon, a roving community of refugees exist under the brothers’ protection; trying to survive as a society while waiting out the war.
“Defiance” is a stirring story about survival and the importance of maintaining a semblance of society during difficult times. The internal conflict in this growing community is just as dangerous as the encroaching enemy soldiers. Tuvia is an important presence as the acting leader of the community. He is often the judge of what is morally acceptable and unacceptable, an awful burden which weighs heavily upon him. Craig portrays an enigmatic leader, his overall goodness outweighing his imperfections. Tuvia is humble in his role as provider and tactician for the community. He is aware that the friction between himself and Zus is a bad influence on the others’ spirits. Zus’s leaving the community to join the communist Russian soldiers is a heartbreaking but necessary progression of the story.
Zus’s experience with the Russians expose that the communists are not as enlightened as they pretend about the Jews. Schreiber is a natural fit as the temperamental brother, quick to anger but fiercely loyal. Asael is the softer, less capable brother who eventually grows into a role as second-in-command. His story will eventually become the most emotionally resonate, reminiscent of Heath Ledger’s role in the “The Patriot.” Few supporting cast members leave an impression but overall the story does not require it. The bleakness of the winter stretches for perhaps too long, draining the spirit from the characters and the viewer.
The battle scenes are rousing and well-executed but the movie does not focus on the fighting as much as the battle simply to survive. With interesting discussion points raised in the course of the film, it is a worthy war picture that will give viewers a better understanding of the dire situation on the eastern front. I recommend it for those who enjoy historical pictures, war movies, and stories of survival.
Rated R for violence and language.
