Defiance - Movie Review and Synopsis

In 1941, a group of Jewish brothers organize the largest armed rescue of Jews during the Holocaust. Three Jewish brothers escape from Nazi-occupied Poland into the Belarussian forest, where they join Russian resistance fighters and endeavor to build a village in order to protect themselves and others in danger.

Don’t call this one an awards-season has-been just because its December wide release date was nixed by a cost-cutting Paramount; Edward Zwick’s WWII drama is still buzzing (though the volume has been turned down) and has received an Oscar-qualifying run before its post-holiday push into the mainstream. However, the chance that Daniel Craig might be the first 007 to score an Oscar nod before his License to Kill has been revoked is looking increasingly faint. Still, his toughest competition may be co-stars Bell and Schreiber. As for the film itself, while a Best Picture nomination is unlikely, more importantly, it’s bringing to light a significant and often overlooked historical event.

Rated R for violence and language.

Director: Edward Zwick
Stars: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, George MacKay, Alexa Davalos
Studio: Paramount Vantage
Release Date: 16 January 2009 (USA)