Defiance

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Defiance

R

2009

2h 16m

History

Drama

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

58%

Tomatometer

187 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

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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Critics Consensus

Professionally made but artistically uninspired, Ed Zwick's story of Jews surviving WWII in the Belarus forest lacks the emotional punch of the actual history.

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Schreiber and Craig make a well-matched pair of bulls. Schreiber's volatility is a nice foil to the taciturn intelligence that makes Craig such a great Bond.

Rated: 3.5/5

May 8, 2009

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

Zwick's limitations as an action director seem linked to a troubled conscience: he seems conscious of a need to entertain, but worried that his audience will take too much pleasure in the spectacle of vengeance.

Rated: 3.5/5

May 1, 2009

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Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

As a piece of historical redress, a great service has been done in bringing this narrative to the screen.

Rated: B

Jan 16, 2009

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Zwick is ardently devoted to entertainment value, even if it means sacrificing the dignity of his otherwise stimulating story.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 15, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

It doesn’t take many risks and it never strays too far from the more conventional survival movie path. But it’s a very well made film that captures the look and tone of the period.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 20, 2022

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Every minute that the cast and crew shot Defiance on location in Lithuania was worth it.

Jul 19, 2021

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Keith B B

I totally enjoyed it and liked the acting and storyline. Liev Schreiber and Daniel Craig were both exceptional. It's absolutely worth your time.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/23/25

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thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/23/25

Full Review

Kit K

A fairly good film except for one major detail: The shouting. I was continually annoyed and in disbelief that people who are hiding out in quiet woodland trying to avoid detection would be doing so much shouting!! Duh! Sort of defeats the purpose …

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/19/25

Full Review

Ionut M

I loved this movie, strong and heart-warming movie MUST SEE I also love the characters, the history of these events that are told they are true makes it mind-blowing!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

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Penelope S

I thought it was well made and kept my interest I do love war movies.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/17/24

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M C

A WWII story, well portrayed by actors which keeps the viewers interest. Being a true war survivalist.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/30/24

Full Review

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Edward Zwick

Director

Daniel Craig

Tuvia Bielski

Liev Schreiber

Zus Bielski

Jamie Bell

Asael Bielski

Alexa Davalos

Lilka Ticktin

Allan Corduner

Shimon Haretz

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Edward Zwick
Producer: Edward Zwick, Pieter Jan Brugge
Screenwriter: Edward Zwick, Clayton Frohman
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Bedford Falls Productions, Grosvenor Park Productions
Rating: R (Violence|Language)
Genre: History, Drama, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 10, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $28.6M
Runtime: 2h 16m

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