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IMDbPro

Defiance

  • 2008
  • R
  • 2h 17m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
152K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,893
379
Daniel Craig in Defiance (2008)
This is the theatrical trailer for Defiance, directed by Edward Zwick
Play trailer2:27
8 Videos
87 Photos
ActionDramaHistory

Jewish brothers in German-occupied Eastern Europe escape into a Belorussian forest, where they join Russian resistance fighters, and endeavor to build a village, in order to protect themselv... Read allJewish brothers in German-occupied Eastern Europe escape into a Belorussian forest, where they join Russian resistance fighters, and endeavor to build a village, in order to protect themselves and about one thousand Jewish non-combatants.Jewish brothers in German-occupied Eastern Europe escape into a Belorussian forest, where they join Russian resistance fighters, and endeavor to build a village, in order to protect themselves and about one thousand Jewish non-combatants.

  • Director
    • Edward Zwick
  • Writers
    • Clayton Frohman
    • Edward Zwick
    • Nechama Tec
  • Stars
    • Daniel Craig
    • Liev Schreiber
    • Jamie Bell
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    152K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,893
    379
    • Director
      • Edward Zwick
    • Writers
      • Clayton Frohman
      • Edward Zwick
      • Nechama Tec
    • Stars
      • Daniel Craig
      • Liev Schreiber
      • Jamie Bell
    • 291User reviews
    • 106Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos8

    Defiance: Theatrical Trailer
    Trailer 2:27
    Watch Defiance: Theatrical Trailer
    U.S. trailer: Defiance
    Trailer 2:06
    Watch U.S. trailer: Defiance
    Defiance
    Clip 0:41
    Watch Defiance
    Defiance
    Clip 0:35
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    Defiance
    Clip 0:56
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    Defiance
    Clip 0:43
    Watch Defiance
    Defiance
    Interview 0:35
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    Defiance
    Interview 1:00
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    Photos87

    Liev Schreiber in Defiance (2008)
    Jamie Bell in Defiance (2008)
    Alexa Davalos in Defiance (2008)
    Liev Schreiber and Daniel Craig in Defiance (2008)
    Jamie Bell and Daniel Craig in Defiance (2008)
    Jamie Bell and Mia Wasikowska in Defiance (2008)
    Daniel Craig and Alexa Davalos in Defiance (2008)
    Daniel Craig in Defiance (2008)
    Daniel Craig in Defiance (2008)
    Defiance (2008)
    Alexa Davalos at an event for Defiance (2008)
    Alexa Davalos at an event for Defiance (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Daniel Craig
    Daniel Craig
    • Tuvia Bielski
    Liev Schreiber
    Liev Schreiber
    • Zus Bielski
    Jamie Bell
    Jamie Bell
    • Asael Bielski
    Alexa Davalos
    Alexa Davalos
    • Lilka Ticktin
    Allan Corduner
    Allan Corduner
    • Shimon Haretz
    Mark Feuerstein
    Mark Feuerstein
    • Isaac Malbin
    Tomas Arana
    Tomas Arana
    • Ben Zion Gulkowitz
    Jodhi May
    Jodhi May
    • Tamara Skidelsky
    Kate Fahy
    Kate Fahy
    • Riva Reich
    Iddo Goldberg
    Iddo Goldberg
    • Yitzhak Shulman
    Iben Hjejle
    Iben Hjejle
    • Bella
    Martin Hancock
    Martin Hancock
    • Peretz Shorshaty
    Ravil Isyanov
    Ravil Isyanov
    • Viktor Panchenko
    Jacek Koman
    Jacek Koman
    • Konstanty 'Koscik' Kozlowski
    George MacKay
    George MacKay
    • Aron Bielski
    Jonjo O'Neill
    Jonjo O'Neill
    • Lazar
    Sam Spruell
    Sam Spruell
    • Arkady Lubczanski
    Mia Wasikowska
    Mia Wasikowska
    • Chaya Dziencielsky
    • Director
      • Edward Zwick
    • Writers
      • Clayton Frohman
      • Edward Zwick
      • Nechama Tec
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film was shot in a remote, wooded area in Lithuania, about a hundred miles away from the real location of the Bielski brothers camp.
    • Goofs
      Zus and some others go to the police station to get Ampicillin to treat the pneumonia that is common in the camp. Ampicillin did not come into clinical use until 1961. Even "simple" penicillin would not have been available in Belorussia in the early 1940s.
    • Quotes

      Tuvia Bielski: Our revenge is to live.

    • Connections
      Featured in Golden Globe Awards (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      A Tants Fun Propoisk
      Traditional

      Arranged by Dmitri Zisl Slepovitch

    User reviews291

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Defiance Tells an Important Story
    Read more at http://FrameRate.blog.com

    When most people learn about World War II during their American History classes, they hear all about the major stories and the major players: D-Day, Eisenhower, the Holocaust, Hitler, Axis vs. Allies, Battle of the Bulge, but there are literally thousands of lesser-known stories from that era that many have not yet heard. It was one such obscure story that is the basis for the film Defiance, starring Daniel Craig.

    The film begins with a familiar theme -- Nazi soldiers rounding up Jews in Western Europe. The grainy, black-and-white style tells us that this is a true story. However, as events unfold, we realize that this isn't the Holocaust story that we're accustomed to seeing in films like Schindler's List. In fact, it's a story about hundreds of Jews who fight for survival as free men and women in the dense and expansive forests of Nazi-occupied Poland.

    Daniel Craig gives perhaps one of his best performances as Tuvia Bielski, the eldest of four Jewish brothers and the eventual leader of the Bielski partisans. Although the Bielski's and fellow Jews are forced to watch as their people are rounded up and killed by the Nazis, Tuvia wants to avoid becoming a group of vigilantes. The conflict arises from younger brother Zus (Liev Schreiber) who desperately wants to avenge the deaths of those he loved. Tuvia is conflicted by the knowledge that in extreme circumstances one must often take extreme measures in order to survive and protect others.

    Throughout the film tension is woven by utilizing a number of different methods, all of which make the movie much more compelling. First, as mentioned, is the conflict between fighting and surviving. Second, is the suspense created by the knowledge that the Nazis are closing in around them. Third is the conflict between the Bielskis and the local police who are loyal to the Nazis. Fourth is the inner struggles the Bielskis face when some of their own decide to cause disagreements and divisions. For those unfamiliar with the story, the fate of the Bielskis is constantly in doubt.

    The cinematography of the film is gray and muted, reflective of the somber tone of the subject matter. The musical score is reminiscent of John William's score in Schindler's List -- soft and sad with the cello and violin taking the melody. In some ways it feels that Defiance takes its visual cues from Schindler's List as well; there's something about the look of the movie that seems familiar. The battle scenes are similar in style to Saving Private Ryan, complete with the dazed, ringing-in-the-ears experience following a grenade that goes off too close to Tuvia. I would have appreciated a more unique perspective to the aesthetics of the film to coincide with the uniqueness of the story.

    In all, Defiance is an important story that needs to be heard. Daniel Craig leads a great cast of characters in an emotional journey of community, camaraderie, and hope.
    helpful•68
    34
    • tillc
    • Jan 29, 2009

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    FAQ6

    • Is "Defiance" based on a book?
    • What is the word that Zus and others use to disparage the non-combatants?
    • When Russians or Germans speak, there are subtitles, but the Bielskis speak English to each other, what language are they supposed to be speaking?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 16, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Lực Lượng Đối Kháng
    • Filming locations
      • Lithuania
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Vantage
      • Grosvenor Park Productions
      • The Bedford Falls Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $32,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $28,644,813
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $123,513
      • Jan 4, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $51,262,751
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 17 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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