Spring Break
'Defiance' does justice to truth
It may be compared with 'Schindler's List' and 'The Pianist,' but the film is a brilliant portrayal of a true story from a troubling time that can stand on its own.
By: Ben Johnson
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: Features
"Freedom begins with an act of defiance" - tagline from director Edward Zwick's latest film, "Defiance."
If this is true, how does one go about committing an effectual act of defiance? Is it enough to speak out against an evil? Or is it sinful to go to the extremes of barbarism and murderous intent in order to avenge oneself against his fellow man? These and many more dilemmas confront the heroes of "Defiance."
Tuvia Bielski (Daniel Craig) is the oldest of four Jewish brothers in Poland. Having just lost their parents to the Nazi war monster, the group heads into the woods to evade the ever-strengthening Nazi threat. At first making their way alone, the four eventually find more refugees fleeing Hitler's menace in the Sylvan Sanctuary.
Conflicted between the desire to help their Jewish brethren or to join a group of resistance fighters, the group ultimately begins to carve a life out for themselves in the woods with Tuvia as their leader. But the Third Reich is not the only enemy of the fledgling group. The community must also undergo the trials and tribulations of jealousy, prejudice, insurrection, sickness, starvation and infighting while desperately clinging to the few shreds of humanity left.
"Defiance" is a film that does not advertise itself as more or less than what it is. The film is lengthy yet engaging, action-packed yet not gory, filled with drama yet unshackled by soap-opera moments and intense yet bearable.
Comparing "Defiance" to other period pieces such as "Schindler's List" or "The Pianist" is natural, but not entirely fruitful. While "Defiance" features many of the same events that populate both of those films, it is not nearly as merciless in its aesthetic as "Schindler's List" or as meticulously crafted as "The Pianist."
On a technical level, "Defiance" succeeds. All the principle actors affect their respective accents with authenticity and inhabit their characters with the kind of effectiveness that allows the audience to fully engage the film. James Newton Howard's score is mournful at times and consistent with traditional Jewish music, while at other times stirring and triumphant. The use of lighting and color is also manipulated to near perfection. Muted tones and drab color schemes characterize the overall feel of the movie, contrasted only by the green of the woods and the sun-tinged spring streams.
The emotional punch "Defiance" features is strengthened by the pathos evoked not only by the actors, but by the historical significance of the story itself. Watching the film while keeping in mind the verity of many of the events unfolding before the audience makes it all the more incredible. While a few historical details have been manipulated to mold the film to Hollywood standards, the overall history remains intact.
"Defiance" is truly an amazing story and a film that does justice to the events depicted. It's not likely to win any Oscars, but the movie nonetheless does exactly what it sets out to do. It's a powerful tale, but it is not to be compared with other Zwick films in its level of intensity such as "Blood Diamond." As such it's not only an entertaining piece, but a thought-provoking and ultimately rewarding movie-going experience.
If this is true, how does one go about committing an effectual act of defiance? Is it enough to speak out against an evil? Or is it sinful to go to the extremes of barbarism and murderous intent in order to avenge oneself against his fellow man? These and many more dilemmas confront the heroes of "Defiance."
Tuvia Bielski (Daniel Craig) is the oldest of four Jewish brothers in Poland. Having just lost their parents to the Nazi war monster, the group heads into the woods to evade the ever-strengthening Nazi threat. At first making their way alone, the four eventually find more refugees fleeing Hitler's menace in the Sylvan Sanctuary.
Conflicted between the desire to help their Jewish brethren or to join a group of resistance fighters, the group ultimately begins to carve a life out for themselves in the woods with Tuvia as their leader. But the Third Reich is not the only enemy of the fledgling group. The community must also undergo the trials and tribulations of jealousy, prejudice, insurrection, sickness, starvation and infighting while desperately clinging to the few shreds of humanity left.
"Defiance" is a film that does not advertise itself as more or less than what it is. The film is lengthy yet engaging, action-packed yet not gory, filled with drama yet unshackled by soap-opera moments and intense yet bearable.
Comparing "Defiance" to other period pieces such as "Schindler's List" or "The Pianist" is natural, but not entirely fruitful. While "Defiance" features many of the same events that populate both of those films, it is not nearly as merciless in its aesthetic as "Schindler's List" or as meticulously crafted as "The Pianist."
On a technical level, "Defiance" succeeds. All the principle actors affect their respective accents with authenticity and inhabit their characters with the kind of effectiveness that allows the audience to fully engage the film. James Newton Howard's score is mournful at times and consistent with traditional Jewish music, while at other times stirring and triumphant. The use of lighting and color is also manipulated to near perfection. Muted tones and drab color schemes characterize the overall feel of the movie, contrasted only by the green of the woods and the sun-tinged spring streams.
The emotional punch "Defiance" features is strengthened by the pathos evoked not only by the actors, but by the historical significance of the story itself. Watching the film while keeping in mind the verity of many of the events unfolding before the audience makes it all the more incredible. While a few historical details have been manipulated to mold the film to Hollywood standards, the overall history remains intact.
"Defiance" is truly an amazing story and a film that does justice to the events depicted. It's not likely to win any Oscars, but the movie nonetheless does exactly what it sets out to do. It's a powerful tale, but it is not to be compared with other Zwick films in its level of intensity such as "Blood Diamond." As such it's not only an entertaining piece, but a thought-provoking and ultimately rewarding movie-going experience.
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