• Defiance (2008)

    In 1941, Nazi soldiers are slaughtering Eastern European Jews by the thousands. Three brothers, Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber) and Asael (Jamie Bell), manage to escape and take refuge in the forest where they played in childhood. Seeking a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones, the brothers turn their daily struggle for survival into a battle against the Nazis. As news of their exploits spreads, others join the fray, willing to risk their lives for even brief freedom.

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Defiance
58
metacriticBased on 34 Critics
58
Based on 173 Users

Release Date: December 31st, 2008

DVD Release Date: June 2nd, 2009

R |2 hr 16 min

Plot Summary

In 1941, Nazi soldiers are slaughtering Eastern European Jews by the thousands. Three brothers, Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber) and Asael (Jamie Bell), manage to escape and take refuge in the forest where they played in childhood. Seeking a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones, the brothers turn their daily struggle for survival into a battle against the Nazis. As news of their exploits spreads, others join the fray, willing to risk their lives for even brief freedom.

Cast: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, Alexa Davalos, Allan Corduner, Mark Feuerstein, Tomas Arana, Jodhi May

Director: Edward Zwick

Genres: Historical drama , War

Production Co: Bedford Falls Productions, Grosvenor Park Productions

Distributors: Paramount Pictures

Keywords: Survival , Escape , Quest , Revenge , 1940s , Brother ,

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Cast & Crew

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Ratings & Reviews

  • 60
    Michael RechtshaffenThe Hollywood Reporter

    That butting of heads, as performed by actors as strong and soulful as Craig and Schreiber, lends Defiance an emotional charge, even as the film itself struggles dramatically to find its way out of those woods. show more

  • 75
    Carrie RickeyPhiladelphia Inquirer

    Here, Jews are not victims of genocide, but victors in the organized resistance against it. show more

  • 60
    Bob MondelloNPR

    It's an inspiring story, if one that doesn't need quite as much poetic inspiration as Ed Zwick's movie insists on giving it, with dialogue that's too often ornate and parable-inflected. show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com

Awards

Nominated Music (Original Score)
Oscars Academy Awards (2008)
Nominated Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Golden Globes (2009)