Based on Nechama Tec's book detailing the little-known but fascinating story of three Jewish brothers who created a refugee camp for 1,200 fleeing Polish countrymen during World War II, Defiance never quite becomes the stirring epic it was clearly meant to be, despite a strong cast, excellent production values, and several riveting sequences. After their Byelorussian parents are murdered by the local police chief at the behest of Nazi officers, the three Bielski brothers—Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber), and Asael (Jamie Bell)—become resistance fighters who exact a heavy toll on the Germans with their guerilla tactics, ultimately jettisoning their hit-and-run strategy to build a settlement for the steadily growing number of refugees driven into the snowy forests. Determined to survive, the members of this makeshift colony learn to build, fight, and forage for food, only to have their newfound skills put to the ultimate test when Nazis pinpoint their location. The brothers themselves are skillfully drawn, but the other characters aren't as clearly limned, with ostensible love interest Alexa Davalos receiving particularly short shrift from the script by Edward Zwick (who also directed) and Clayton Frohman. In the end, Defiance feels like a very well made TV movie, which is faint praise for such an ambitious film. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Edward Zwick, the production featurettes “Return to the Forest” (26 min.), “Children of the Otriad: The Families Speak” (14 min.), and “Scoring Defiance” (7 min.), a photo montage of Bielski Partisan survivors (2 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a somewhat underwhelming historical drama.] (E. Hulse)
Defiance
Paramount, 136 min., R, DVD: $30.99, Blu-ray: $39.99, June 2 Volume 24, Issue 3
Defiance
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