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I have had a change of heart about Daniel Craig.  I freely admit that I had no clue who he was before seeing “Quantum of Solace”, which is somewhat to my shame as he is definitely not a new face on the big screen, and even mentioned in my review of that film that perhaps I did not enjoy it as much as I should have due to my unfamiliarity with Craig. “Defiance” has indisputably amended my attitude on him and leaves me looking forward to his next role.  

“Defiance” is based on Nechama Tec’s book about Jewish partisans in Poland and Belarus who not only managed to avoid extermination from the invading Nazi’s, but also dared to rescue other endangered people and to fight back against their attackers.  There is quite a bit of heated debating on the historical accuracy of the story, but I will get back to that.  I’d first like to focus solely on the movie.

            In June, 1941, the Nazis began Operation Barbarossa, their invasion of the Soviet Union.  Zus Bielski (Liev Schreiber) and his younger brothers Asael (Jamie Bell) and Aron (George MacKay) escape into the enormity of the Belarusian Forest, a place familiar to them since childhood, after a massacre on their parents’ farm. They are soon joined by eldest brother Tuvia (Craig), who agrees that they should remain hidden there, as it has become the safest possible area from both the encroaching Germans and local Nazi collaborators. They are not alone for long, however, as they discover other survivors both in the forest and hidden at the home of a sympathetic family friend. 

As their numbers grow and winter approaches, the need for supplies becomes more pressing. They find that one of the keys to continued existence may be in enlisting with and working for their forest-dwelling neighbors, a group of Soviet partisan soldiers. Tuvia also becomes determined to help hostages of the Jewish ghetto escape when he learns that they are being rapidly eradicated.  Their activities begin to attract the attention of their enemies, who make plans to infiltrate the forest and hunt the fugitives down.

“Defiance” was filmed in Lithuania in a section of the same forest chain and approximately 100 miles from where the Bielski brothers made their camps. This authenticity of scenery really adds to the overall effect of the movie. It is gorgeous, even when the events within are brutal. The cast is nothing short of superb and the story itself is incredible. This leads us full circle to the controversy issue.

No one seems to be disputing that the Bielskis and over 1200 others under their protection and guidance managed to survive the invasion by becoming forest denizens for three years. The big argument is surrounding the labeling of the group. Many regard the brothers as heroes who never took credit for their deeds.  Others have branded them war criminals who were never punished for attacking villagers they considered foes. Some who take this second view like to point out that, in 2007, Aron, the last surviving brother, was accused of crimes against another holocaust survivor. How this relates to events from almost seventy years ago, I am not sure. On the flip side, there are still a few remaining people who were part of the Bielski “Otriad” who praise the brothers for saving their lives. They pledge that protecting their community, as opposed to vengeance or unnecessary violence, was always the main concern of the Bielskis.

“Defiance” is a magnificent film. It is powerful and inspiring. Personally, I believe that it offers insight to some current events. The consequences of pacifism against ruthlessness and brutality have been harsh lessons in history. People like the Bielskis refused to die on command and taught others how to do the same. This purging of submissiveness is now guiding later generations. “Defiance” shows us once more why those who chose optimism over oppression, fought for freedom and faith, and stood tall against tyranny should never be forgotten.