Plasma Productions

Defiance

Review by Blake Cortright (Blake@plasmaproductions.net)

Edited by Matthew Elton (matt@plasmaproductions.net)

Acting:

Cinematography:

Story:

Special Effects:

Soundtrack:

Overall Rating:

Introduction:

Edward Zwick directs this incredible true story of Jews who fought back during World War II. Zwick has directed other war films, but none of them compare with the passion and intrigue of this story. With a combination of incredible story, passionate acting, detailed cinematography, an emotionally-stirring soundtrack, and a limited dash of realistic explosions, “Defiance” is something worth watching.

Review:

The story struck me as incredible and inspiring. Though war films are typically not inspirational in any way and lack any true value, “Defiance” is a truly unique film. With the realistic visual feel of “Saving Private Ryan”, the true historical value of “Schindler’s List”, and the incredible questioning story of “The Dark Knight”, “Definace” is truly one of the greatest films I’ve ever seen. It combines the best elements of classic films that I love. The effects are not typical Hollywood: over-done and unreal; instead they are far truer to real explosions than most movies ever get. Unlike “Saving Private Ryan”, “Defiance” is based upon a true story, and a fascnating one. Unlike, “Schindler’s List”, the film has high action-adventure points throughout it, but they stay realistic. Yet, similar to “The Dark Knight”, “Defiance” explores the question: “Is it necessary to become evil to defeat evil?” However, “Defiance” is far more realistic, as it is true, than “The Dark Knight” in the presentation of this question. The film has many Biblical references which I also enjoyed thoroughly. The film’s soundtrack is fairly simple, but oh so fitting. From its haunting string melodies to its high-adrenaline ensembles, the soundtrack perfectly fits the mood of this film. The acting is phenomenal; Daniel Craig is far more human and believable as Tuvia Bielski than as James Bond. The rest of the actors and actresses were cast brilliantly. I truly loved the interaction of and the change in these characters through the course of the movie. Cinematically, it is like most movies. It works for the film, its not fantastically revolutionary, but it’s not overkill or too shaky (or too steady) either. Overall, I loved the film, and because of its incredible story and its moral and inspirational value, I highly recommend it to those who can handle the blood and violence. This is no kids movie, but it is absolutely amazing how a film like this could be so emotionally moving and inspiring. I give it “Five Stars”.

Plot Summary:

(Warning: The following plot summary contains major plot spoilers! We do not recommend reading this plot summary if you plan to see this film!)

The film is rated R for violence and language, and rightfully so. The film contains scattered “f-bombs” and other crude language throughout. Also, this is one of the bloodier films I’ve seen lately but it is not in vain, as usual. The plot revolves around three out of four Jewish brothers, the Bielski brothers, who hid in the forest from the Nazi’s during the war. As time progresses, more and more Jews assemble in their makeshift camp. Soon enough, Nazi soldiers destroy the camp and the Bielski brothers must lead the 100 or so Jews under their “protection” to a new, safe location. In this new location, they build a second camp, far better than the first. The more time passes, the more Jews join the camp. After a rough winter and an outbreak of Typhus, the Bielski Otriad, as it is known, is struggling. Tuvia Bielski, the eldest brother, is weak with disease and the second oldest brother, Zus Bielski, has joined the Red army with several of the Bielski Otriad’s best fighters. Tuvia’s authority is questioned by more and more of his camp and he struggles to maintain his power, out of care for the people. After the long, deathly winter, this authority is restored to him, along with his health. However, it is during this time that a Nazi soldier is captured by the Otriad and a letter is found on him indicating a Nazi attack on the camp in two days. Tuvia tells them to flee, after bombers drop their cargo, and several stay behind to man the machine guns. These several soldiers stay to fight off the Nazi infantry and buy more time for the escaping community of Jews. The second youngest brother, Asael Bielski, is among them. He narrowly escapes, carrying a fellow wounded soldier, and travels forward to warn the community of the quickly arriving infantry. He finds them at the edge of a river where they have stopped and lost hope. His oldest brother, Tuvia, is void of hope in this moment and he is prepared to die. However, Asael takes charge and states boldly “Nothing is impossible! What all of us have done is impossible!” and they form a plan to get all the community through the river to safe territory. The plan succeeds and the whole community reaches land far from their camp and the Nazi infantry! However, they are met by yet another challenge: Nazi infantry and a tank. Tuvia and Asael lead a fight against the Nazis, but all hope seems to have dimmed. Then Zus Bielski, and the other Jews who went to fight with the Red army, return just in time and kill the soldiers and save the community. Zus and his men re-join the community as they head off into new woods. They hid for 2 more years and created a third camp. After the war, over 1,000 Jews walked out of those woods alive, thanks to the efforts of the Bielskis.