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Defiance

6.3

16,723

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Original title

Defiance

Year

2008

Running time

137 min.

Country

United States

Director

Edward Zwick

Screenwriter

Edward Zwick, Clay Frohman. Book: Nechama Tec

Cast

Music

James Newton Howard

Cinematography

Eduardo Serra

Producer

Paramount Vantage, The Bedford Falls Company, Grosvenor Park

Genre

War. Drama | II World War. Holocaust. Based on a true story

Synopsis

Three brothers in Bielorrusia during WWII escape to the forest and join forces with soldiers from the Russian Resistance. The year is 1941 and the Jews of Eastern Europe are being massacred by the thousands. Managing to escape certain death, three brothers take refuge in the dense surrounding woods they have known since childhood. There they begin their desperate battle against the Nazis.

Awards: 2008: Nominated for Oscar: Best Original Soundtrack

2008: Nominated for Golden Globe: Best Original Soundtrack

2008: National Board of Review (NBR): nominated to Top Films (In alphabetical order).

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Critics' reviews

"Stiff, musclebound new movie (...) The problem is that, in setting out to overturn historical stereotypes of Jewish passivity, Mr. Zwick (who co-wrote the screenplay with Clayton Frohman) ends up affirming them."

A. O. Scott: The New York Times
"The drama tends to focus on issues, conflicts and romances within the group, and in that sense could be a very good reality show but lacks the larger dimension of, say, 'Schindler's List' (…) Rating: ★★½ (out of 4)"

Roger Ebert: rogerebert.com
"The tale (...) is undeniably inspiring and ideally suited for a cinematic rendering. But 'Defiance' resists bold, passionate storytelling and delivers something rather conventional. (...) Rating: ★★½ (out of four)"

Claudia Puig: USA Today
"It is a fairly conventional combat movie (...) What is most striking is the ruthlessness shown by both Tuvia and Zus"

Philip French: The Guardian
"The perfect antidote to the post-holiday blues. It's exciting, well-acted, touching, and genuine. (...) Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)"

Gene Newman: Premiere

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Ranking Lists Position

65 My Top 10 Movies from 2008 (53)
66 My Favorite War Movies (80)

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Defiance

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