Zwick's sedate storytelling tone doesn't seem to be coming from the same source as his "Blood Diamond" or "The Last Samurai." Perhaps he thought he was making another "Schindler's List."
Defiance (2008)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 6
Fresh: 3
Rotten:3
Average Rating: 5.1/10
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for violence and language
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theatrical Release: Dec 12, 2008 Wide
Synopsis: Based on an extraordinary true story, DEFIANCE is an epic tale of family, honor, vengeance and salvation in World War II. The year is 1941 and the Jews of Eastern Europe are being massacred by the thousands. Managing to escape certain death,... Based on an extraordinary true story, DEFIANCE is an epic tale of family, honor, vengeance and salvation in World War II. The year is 1941 and the Jews of Eastern Europe are being massacred by the thousands. Managing to escape certain death, three brothers take refuge in the dense surrounding woods they have known since childhood. There they begin their desperate battle against the Nazis. Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell star as brothers who turn a primitive struggle to survive into something far more consequential – a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones by saving thousands of others. At first it is all they can do to stay alive. But gradually, as whispers of their daring spreads, they begin to attract others – men and women, young and old – willing to risk everything for the sake of even a moment’s freedom. Tuvia (CRAIG) is a reluctant leader and his decisions are challenged by his brother, Zus (SCHREIBER) who worries that Tuvia’s idealistic plans will doom them all. Asael (BELL) is the youngest – caught between his brothers’ fierce rivalry. As a brutal winter descends, they work to create a community, and to keep faith alive when all humanity appeared to be lost. --© Paramount Vantage [More]
Starring: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, Alexa Davalos
Starring: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, Alexa Davalos, Allan Corduner, Mark Feuerstein
Director: Edward Zwick
Director: Edward Zwick
Screenwriter: Edward Zwick, Clayton Frohman
Producer: Pieter Jan Brugge
Composer: James Newton Howard
Studio: Paramount Vantage
Reviews for Defiance
An epic scope weakens what's actually a gritty, intimate drama about survival. But it's a terrific true story
In trying to add a new chapter to the long history of films made about the Holocaust, Defiance can barely move a narrative muscle without bumping into another, better movie that covers some of the same ground.
A potentially exceptional story is told in a flatly unexceptional manner in Defiance.
Craig heads a good cast in a largely unknown WWII tale of siblings who created a commune of warriors that contested the myth of Jews as passive victims, and while the subject is intriguing, Zwick's helming and film's execution leave much to be desired.
Latest News for Defiance
November 08, 2008:
click to watch the trailer ![]()
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November 05, 2008:
New: Brand New Second Trailer, Poster ![]()
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November 05, 2008:
New: Brand New Second Trailer, Poster ![]()
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October 17, 2008:
Paramount Delays The Soloist and Defiance ![]()
In a bit of surprise schedule-twiddling, Paramount has delayed the wide releases of two fourth quarter films, pushing back "The Soloist" and "Defiance" to 2009. More...
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by: blooker 11/5
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