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Defiance

Play trailer Poster for Defiance R 2009 2h 16m History Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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58% Tomatometer 186 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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Defiance

Defiance

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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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Critics Reviews

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Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald May 8, 2009
3.5/5
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. Go to Full Review
Jake Wilson The Age (Australia) May 1, 2009
3.5/5
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. Go to Full Review
Peter Rainer Christian Science Monitor Jan 16, 2009
B
As a piece of historical redress, a great service has been done in bringing this narrative to the screen. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Dec 15, 2023
2.5/4
Zwick is ardently devoted to entertainment value, even if it means sacrificing the dignity of his otherwise stimulating story. Go to Full Review
Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Aug 20, 2022
4/5
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. Go to Full Review
Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Jul 19, 2021
Every minute that the cast and crew shot Defiance on location in Lithuania was worth it. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Jacob W @RT17896586 Oct 27, 2026 Another great film directed by Edward Zwick that tells the story of two Jewish brothers living in the woods in 1944. This is a true story and I never get tired of seeing it. Perhaps because it’s performed so well and the subject is handled with live and care. The two leads work really well another reason to enjoy. I think it’s DC at his best. See more
Mickey B @Mickerdoo Sep 29, 2026 Heck yeah. Awesome true story. Can’t imagine the difficulty and complexity of a wartime forest commune. Three guys and Davalos were great. See more
Daniel L @Hotchopeppa Sep 19, 2026 Can’t stand Daniel Craig but this movie is brilliant! See more
Keith B B @Okbullard Nov 23, 2025 I totally enjoyed it and liked the acting and storyline. Liev Schreiber and Daniel Craig were both exceptional. It's absolutely worth your time. See more
thiago s @Thiagostone Aug 23, 2025 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 See more
Kit K @RT21789241 Apr 19, 2025 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 … See more
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Defiance

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Cast & Crew

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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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Defiance

Defiance (2008) View more photos

Movie Info

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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