By Lloyd Bayer
I have not read Nechama Tec’s Defiance: The Bielski Partisans, but reviews on this book tell a somewhat different story from that written for the screen. The screen version which was produced, directed and co-written by Edward Zwick is in my opinion a compelling tale of revenge, unity and survival against all odds. Yes, this is not just another World War II action drama, but a fight for the right to live and die as human beings.
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Daniel Craig as Tuvia Bielski
All images copyright © 2008 Paramount Vantage
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Following the murder of their parents by the German invasion of Eastern Europe in 1941, four Jewish brothers escape into the forests adjoining Poland and Belarus. After avenging the death of their parents by executing Polish officers loyal to the Nazis, Tuvia, Zus, Asael and Aron Bielski are met with other Jews evading the Nazi blitz. Short on food, weapons and shelter, Tuvia reluctantly takes on the other refugees under his wing. While Tuvia starts to emerge as a leader of the group, his younger brother Zus refuses to see eye to eye. After learning that his wife and child were also brutally murdered, Zus bands together a militia to ambush scattered Nazi patrols in the forest. Tuvia on the other hand wants to elude Nazi contact with the sole objective of survival of himself and a group of almost thousand other Polish Jews looking up to him for protection. This sibling rivalry causes Zus and few other armed men to abandon Tuvia’s company and join forces with Russian fugitives also resisting the Germans. It is now up to Tuvia to keep a large group of forest dwellers alive, braving harsh winters with scarce supplies, and unforgiving terrain with German light infantry and dive-bombers in hot pursuit.
Sure, we’ve seen movies about the holocaust, D-day landing, and general WWII heroics of soldiers shooting from the hip. This film differs not only because it is partially based on actual events, but because it is one of those rare stories where underdog survivalists take on the Nazis, rather by sheer splendor and might of the Allies. Tec’s readers who see the film adaptation of his book will note glaring discrepancies in the actual events surrounding the lives of the Bielski brothers, but in the end, the fact remains that generations of Polish Jews are now free living US citizens.
Historians and Polish descendants alike consider Tuvia a ruthless thug more than a legendary hero. In writing for the screen, Edward Zwick has placed the protagonist somewhere between the lives of William Wallace, Robin Hood and Moses. His flair for war movies like Courage Under Fire and The Last Samurai brings out a distinct atmosphere in this film as well. Action is top notch without giving into too much temptation by way of the usual Hollywood flamboyance. One intense war scene is strikingly similar to Tom Hank’s disorientation from an exploding grenade in Saving Private Ryan. Other scenes will grab your attention in a varying display of emotions ranging from fear, loss, loath, to love, lust and belonging. Not forgetting his renown in cinematography and original score, Zwick’s real drive force comes from a star studded line up. Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell and George MacKay portray the Bielski brothers. With no introduction needed for Craig, Schreiber and Bell, I must say their performance is nothing short of outstanding. Also note worthy are their love interests played by Alexa Davalos, Mia Wasikowska, and Iben Hjejle.
For a thorough moving experience, treat this film as influenced by actual events rather than have the film make you believe it is a “true story”.
Lloyd Bayer
Comments
rick Says:
Jun 27, 2009 at 01:00
this is the best movie of the year. I might not be a significant person, but as a critic
I give this movie a 100. excellent actors, writer and directors.
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