If we got only one thing from the World War 2, it was an endless supply of villains. Let's face it, the only other bad guys in as copious abundance as the Nazis are zombies. In Defiance, the Nazis are, as ever, the main antagonists, but the twist here is there are baddies among the good as well. This is, to my memory, the first Holocaust movie where the Jewish refugees fight back. It was refreshing to see them standing up for what they believed, and not just cowering in a hidey-hole, waiting for the danger to pass them by. This is the story of four brothers whose family was wiped out in a raid on their village, and the group of fellow survivors that they inevitably save in their quest for freedom. Yes, the Nazis are evil, but the movie delves deeper into the psyche of the refugees than in to the horror of the Holocaust. These people, subjected to living and being hunted like animals, never become animals. Whenever the group is threatened, which was more internal than I would have believed, they find a way to regain and maintain their humanity.
The cast is wonderful, headed by Daniel Craig. Bond notwithstanding, this is his best work to date. He managed to make the pain and desperation that Tuvia (the eldest brother and leader of the group) felt seem real and palpable. Another personal favorite, Liev Schreiber, plays the hothead brother Zus. Another great performance from him as well.
Athough it dragged a bit at times, I really liked this movie. It showed a side of the Holocaust that has not been portrayed often, that of raw defiance in the face of evil, and the willingness to fight back to protect humanity. 8.25/10
See you tomorrow, and GO WATCH A MOVIE!!
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