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Since 1996 |
Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready....
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Defiance
Stars: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Alexa Davalos. Mark Feuerstein and Jamie Bell Director: Edward Zwick Scriptwriters: Edward Zwick and Clayton Frohman from the novel “Defiance---the Bielski Partisans” by Nechama Tec Cinematographer: Eduardo Serra Composer: James Newton Howard Bedford Falls Productions Rating: R for violence Running Length: 130 minutes Partially subtitled, Slavic languages In 2008 and the early part of 2009, we have had three films on the Holocaust and each film from a different viewpoint. Boy in the Striped Pajamas is from the view of two small boys, The Reader from someone who can see what a lack of education will do, and now we have Defiance. This movie has roots in the exploits of the Jewish Bielski brothers, who lived in the forests of Belorussia. They were forest men in a land of small villages, and the treatment of Jews was becoming increasingly hard. Jews were not known to fight anyone, so the idea of them actually bearing arms against an enemy gave them an advantage. Actually, during this particular time of WWII, several Jewish partisan groups were operating throughout this region and the exploits of the groups, including those of members of the Asner family, can be found in the last paragraph of this review. The Bielski story, Defiance, concerns three brothers, Zus (Liev Schreiber), who would shoot first and ask questions later, Tuvia (Daniel Craig, our newest James Bond), a former Russian soldier now back at home, and the youngest, Asael (Jamie Bell), who they want to protect. It is autumn 1941 and Jews live in small ghettos but earn a living as farmers or woodsmen. However, as the German Army advances toward Russia, things heat up and Nazi commanders begin their brutal regime. The Bielski’s see their parents killed and eventually, manage to escape to the Lipizansck Forest, which they know like the backs of their hands. As the German soldiers get closer, more families are forced to flee and find the partisans. Soon, there is an encampment in which everyone has an assigned job. A watchmaker learns how to repair guns while a teacher learns how to shoot a gun. Protecting Jews at all cost is the forefront of this group and survival is the name of the game. No victims here. We see that some Germans can be friendly, some Russians, too, while others are brutal and traitors. Holy days are observed as best they can be under the circumstances and there can be marriages, but no children until the war is over. Food is always scarce and, at times, the group must compete with wild animals for the food supply. Winter is a definite hardship and frostbite a constant concern. What keeps everyone going is one word: survival and the ability to move at a moment's notice, even across marsh land. At times, the group---which expands to several hundred people---receives news from outside their area, including the bombing of Pearl Harbor and America’s entry into the War. Acting in Defiance is quite well done. Liev Schreiber perhaps makes the biggest impression as the hot-headed, ready-to-fight, Zus, who looks like a soccer player. His counterpart is the let's-think-this-over brother, Tuvia (Craig), who was once in the Russian army and can do battle planning. You can see the wheels turning in Tuvia’s mind as he assesses strategic situations before making a decision, while Zus smolders nearby. Just so you know Tuvia is the leader, he rides a white horse. Youngest brother, Asael (Bell) is interested in the ladies and that is some of the humor in the film. In close confines, people are bound to get on each others nerves and one statement rings true. When asked why he is still there, a man replies, “You annoy me, therefore, I exist.” A person never knows how they will react to a life-threatening situation. Stand and fight or run. If you run, is it to run away, period, or run, regroup, then return for the finish. Soundtrack by James Newton Howard adds to the film with just the right amount of attention, while Eduardo Serra’s cinematography brings you into the forest and cold of winter. The movie was actually done in Lithuania. There is the possibility of Oscar nominations for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor for Daniel Craig and Supporting Actor for Liev Schreiber and possibly Best Adapted Screenplay. For more information on the Jewish Partisans of World War II, the following is reference material. Books: “There Once Was A World” by Yaffa Eliach, Little Brown and Company, 1998. (Asner, beginning on page 236 and on, Bielski Brothers, page 634 and on.) “Defiance: The Biekski Partisans” by Nechama Tec. “The Bielski Brothers” by Peter Duffy.” DVD’s: Documentary DVD from the History Channel, “The Bielski Brothers---Jerusalem in the Woods.” Documentary DVD’s “A Partisan Returns”: The Legacy of Two Sisters” by Mitch Braff (2008) Documentary DVD “The Partisans of Vilna” by Joshua Waletzky (1987.) Web Site: www.jewishpartisans.org Copyright 2009 Marie Asner
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