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DEFIANCE is a different kind of World War II movie, one that looks at the Holocaust from a unique angle--telling the true story of a group of Jews in Eastern Europe who fought back. On the run from the Germans and the local police, the three Russian Bielski brothers--Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber), and Asael (Jamie Bell)--hide out deep in the forest. Their numbers swell as more and more refugees join them, coming together to form a community while also patrolling with guns and shooting the enemy to stay alive. But Tuvia and Zus have a falling-out over what future direction to take: Tuvia thinks it best to remain in the forest despite the coming vicious winter, but Zus wants to join the Russian resistance, which is aggressively attacking the Nazis. Complicating the situation are the women in their lives, known as forest wives--Lilka (Alexa Davalos) shows interest in Tuvia, Bella (Iben Hjelje) grows close to Zus, and young Chaya (Mia Wasikowska) and Asael flirt with the tingles of first love. As food grows scarce, diseases increase, and the Nazis become determined to find and kill them, the Bielski Otriad struggles to survive, battling back when necessary, including taking up arms.
Directed by Edward Zwick (GLORY, BLOOD DIAMOND) and based on the nonfiction book by Dr. Nechama Tec, DEFIANCE is a powerful thriller filled with tense human emotion, a gripping story about brotherly love and the basic human instinct to survive against all odds. Craig (LAYER CAKE, CASINO ROYALE), Schreiber (EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED), and Bell (BILLY ELLIOTT) are terrific as the Bielski brothers, three very different individuals who simply refuse to just lie down and die., Daniel Craig trades in 007's trademark tux for World War II-era garb in this film from director Edward Zwick (BLOOD DIAMOND). Craig stars with Liev Schreiber as men who hide more than 1,000 Jews in a Russian forest and battle Nazi soldiers.
Industry Reviews
3.5 stars out of 4 -- "The acting is incredible, proving that Craig can still expand his horizons beyond James Bond; Shreiber is solid..."
Premiere - Premiere Staff (12/29/2008)
3 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t has a serious story to tell: of remarkable endurance, courage and unlikely hope."
Empire - Nev Pierce (02/01/2009)
"Craig and Schreiber are two excellent actors, and both of them connect strongly with their roles as well as their fierce rivalry."
Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan (12/31/2008)
"In DEFIANCE, Craig brings grit and gravity to the role of Tuvia Bielski....Director Edward Zwick has seized on a strong, underserved subject."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (01/22/2009)
"[A] true story of a WWII siege met with courage under fire....ZWICK offers excitingly staged moments..."
Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman (01/16/2009)
"It's impossible to watch Defiance without experiencing a vicarious thrill of resistance and revenge."
Washington Post (01/16/2009)
3.5 stars out of 4 -- "[R]are and exciting....The cast, especially Craig and Schreiber, are at their best."
Premiere (06/01/2009)
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