Iffy for 16+
Brave brothers risk all in brutal, graphic WWII epic.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this war movie isn't for kids. There are many fierce battles and violently graphic killings, as well as executions of unarmed citizens. Other images include hand-to-hand combat, mob beatings, point-blank shootings, and barbaric, inhumane treatment of the Jewish population. The language is very strong as well, with lots of harsh swearing. There's some suggested sexuality, but nothing explicit and no nudity. Soldiers and resistance members drink vodka in many scenes, sometimes to excess. But if they can handle the intense content, this movie could offer mature teens and young adults a valuable look at a momentous period of recent world history and a vivid example of heroism -- as well as power and prejudice run amok.
- Families can talk about why so many movies about World War II and the Holocaust are still being made so long after the events occurred. What connection do stories about these events have with today's world?
- Are there still instances in which strong beliefs set people apart andagainst one another? How do you think the media will end up treatingcurrent conflicts further down the line?
- Why do you think theBielski brothers were heroic? What made them different from the peoplewho were afraid to stand up for themselves?
The good stuff
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Messages: Classic good-versus-evil situations. Bravery and selflessness are shown to be powerful forces against the enemy. Meanwhile, the Nazis wreak havoc on the Polish Jews -- rounding them up, killing them, bombing them, and spraying bullets into large groups of people (including women and children).
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Role models: Most of the characters aren't clearly "good" or "bad." For instance, Russian soldiers are shown to be heroic but also anti-Semitic. And theJewish victims who fight back are shown to be both honorable andselfish, just and unjust.
What to watch for
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Violence: Violent battle scenes from beginning to end. Piles of naked bodies lie in a dry river bed; babies and children are wrenched from parents' arms and slaughtered; bombs are dropped on fleeing victims. There are many instances of cold-blooded, point-blank shooting, including the execution of entire families. There are also vicious fist fights, stabbings, and a lengthy scene in which an angry mob beats and stomps a Nazi soldier to death.
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Sex: A man's hand touches a woman's breast over her clothes. Several passionate kisses. One couple is shown embracing, with their bare shoulders visible above blankets to indicate a post-sexual moment.
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Language: Harsh swearing throughout, including all forms of "f--k" and many instances of "s--t," "bitch, " and "hell."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Multiple scenes of Russian soldiers, victims, survivors, and partisans drinking vodka. One leading character drinks heavily. Several scenes in which men drink until they become very drunk. Camaraderie inspired by drunkenness appears to be the only form of recreation available to these people who are hiding out for years.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
DEFIANCE - tight action/suspense/thriller. GRADE: A by MOVIES REVIEWER
Last week I attended the advance press screening of this stupendous WW2 movie inspired by a true story.
Initially, I thought it was going to be another senseless shoot-em-up blood-splatter flick that Hollywood seems to be churning out wholesale lately - but, I was thrilled to be proven otherwise.
I was sucked into the well-paced/well-directed plot and for the next 136 minutes I was treated to some very fine acting by the talented cast - plus I was riveted by the excellent editing and cinematography - overall, great production values!
I got to 'know' the Bielski brothers and their grief - plus witnessed(from a different viewpoint) the struggle against the Nazis and the hardships and horrors that the Nazis inflicted on an entire race and those who supported/helped the Jews.
Plenty of action/suspense - nicely balanced by heartfelt emotional scenes.
VERDICT:
HIGHLY recommended.
A Must-See movie.
Not kids-friendly - violent and disturbing scenes.
5
Defiance by HiYen1323
Defiance was a heart pounding and heartwarming movie. Daniel Craig is phenomenal, Liev Schreiber exceptional and Jamie Bell Brilliant, The story of three brothers overcoming the odds of Nazi Persecution and bringing a community of Jews together in the face of extinction. At times you want to know the greater scope of the War in the East, instead of the internal conflict of the three brothers and their partisan group. All in all worth watching at the movies and purchasing on Fandango, so you can just pick up your tickets at the Kiosk thus bypassing long movie theater lines!
5
Unsung heroes by dancastle
I was invited to see this film a month ago at the Museum of Jewish Heritage with the director (Zwick) and the Belski family as well as 200 other partisan fighters and their families. I was curious to see the film because my grandparents were Partisans, they married in the woods where this film takes place ( a parachute found in the forrest was sewn into a wedding dress for my grandmother). I was more curious to see this film because I wanted to see the reaction of the audience, the people that this movie was based on. There were many tears during the film but nobody left bc it was too difficult to watch and nobody took a bathroom break, nobody. The reactions were as I hoped. The survivors in the audience said it was accurate and although there were a few exagerrations, they said many scenes in the film were played down (implying the real story would be NC-17). Its a good film to see with your kids if youre a parent, its a part of history, a sad but at times, a defiant one.
5
outstanding and totally authentic by MALKA21
AS A DAUGHTER OF A JEWISH PARTISAN, AND HEARING MY FATHER STORIES, THIS MOVIE IS SO AUTHENTIC AND TRUE THE DETAIL IS JUST AMAZING, ACTING OUTSTANDING ACCENT PERFECT NOTHING IS OVER THE TOP, JUST THE TRUTH! NOT ALL JEWS WERE TAKEN TO THE CAMPS MANY FAUGHT AND MANY NON-JEWS DID HELP, AND MANY DIED BECASUE OF THAT, THIS FILM WILL MAKE YOU THING ABOUT THE TIMES WE LIVE IN NOW, ABOUT SURVIVING IN A DIFFERENT WAY, AND GIVES US HOPE ANYTING IS POSSIBLE
4
Defiance by yoli4u
I thought the movie was great. Definitely, worth seeing. Action, inspirational and a fully developed story.
5
?DEFIANCE? ? IS IT BETTER TO SAVE PEOPLE OR TRY FOR REVENGE? by jimchudnow
Please don?t be put-off by the fact this is another movie about the Nazis in World War II. It?s essentially based on certain true episodes about the 4 Bielski brothers who escaped into a forest in Belarus to try to save more than 1000 people from Hitler?s troops and their collaborators. There is a great deal of tension between the two oldest brothers, Tuvia (DANIEL CRAIG) -- whose main goal is to save the ever-growing number of people looking for food and shelter --, and Zus (LIEV SCHREIBER), who is more interested in attacking the Germans and exacting revenge for their killings. Brother Asael (JAMIE BELL) is caught in the middle between the opposing ideas. Throw in the Red Army (also fighting the Nazis in the area), loads of well-performed roles, and lots of stress, action, romance, ethical differences and difficult living conditions, and you have an enjoyable and uplifting story of courage in the face of thorny odds. The film may not be great, but it?s unusually well done.
4
DEFIANCE by raycharlesfreak
THIS STORY HAD NOT BEEN TOLD IN FILM UNTIL NOW, AS MANY HOLOCAUST EXPERIENCES HAVE NOT BEEN, NOR NEVER WILL BE COMMITTED TO FILM OR BOOK. ANYTIME WE CAN SEE WILL AND DETERMINATION OVERCOME EVIL, IT IS A GOOD THING. SCHINDLER'S LIST WAS ANOTHER. MY FIANCE'S POLISH FATHER'S EXPERIENCE WAS ONE JUST AS COMPELLING, BUT WILL NEVER BE TOLD EXCEPT IN THE MOST PERSONAL FAMILY DIALOGS. HE HAS BEEN ASKED, BUT DECLINED TO "HAVE HIS STORY TOLD".
DEFIANCE IS A WELL ACTED, WELL SHOT MOVIE. IS IT THE BEST MOVIE I'VE EVER SEEN? NO. IS IT THE BEST MOVIE OF '08? NO. IS IT WORTH SEEING? DEFINITELY.
5
Brilliant by mark-2001
I thought Defiance was a brilliant film, expertly crafted by Edward Zwick (who also directed the elgant film Glory), and with fine acting all around, particularly by Daniel Craig. Craig's performance was layered and encompassed the whole range of human emotions, and solidifies him as a serious, charismatic leading man. He can obviously do more than play the best James Bond ever. Other excellent performances from Liev Schrieber and Alexandra Davalos, plus many lesser characters. The settings - almost entirely in forests - pulled me into the film and held me there, where I suffered the cold and deprivations of the characters (I actually felt guilty eating popcorn while watching them starve).
I rate this film as a compelling drama and a welcome addition to the genres of Holocaust and WWII films. It covers a lesser-known true story of courage and yes, defiance, that deserves to be better known. It made me feel proud both as a Jew and as a human being. -- Mark Cotter
5
BEST MOVIE I'VE SEEN IN A WHILE by jbdavis1227
This is a must see! So many WWII movies focus on the concentration camps and the Nazi's. This one focused on survival. They not only survived, they fought back!
5
DEFIANCE by herbosch
Amazing! This true story is a must see. The entire audience stood at the end and clapped.
Very insightful seeing that most of our history books do not tell us of the Jews who fought back.