When you think of Daniel Craig, no doubt your mind goes to him as super spy James Bond, or perhaps you might think of everyone’s favourite southern detective, Benoit Blanc.
However, in 2008, the actor led Defiance, a war film based on the true story of the Bielski brothers, a band of brothers who rescued Jewish people during World War II and fought the Nazis in a region that is now western Belarus.
The film is also inspired by the 1993 book Defiance: The Bielski Partisans, which was written by Nechama Tec, and details their exploits.
The synopsis for the film reads: “In 1940s eastern Europe, four Jewish brothers flee to the forest to escape persecution and death at the hands of Nazi forces after their parents are murdered. Once there, they find more refugees are using the forest as a hideout, so they band together to share resources and attempt to outwit the German forces, who are always on their tail.”
The two-hour film is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer; however, viewers will need to act fast, as the historical epic leaves the platform in just 20 days.
Who stars in Defiance?
Leading the cast as Tuvia Bielski is Daniel Craig, known for his portrayal of James Bond in the titular franchise and Benoit Blanc in the Knives Out movies. Tuvia’s three brothers, Zus, Asael and Aron are played by Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan), Jamie Bell (All of Us Strangers) and George MacKay (1917) respectively.
Also featured in the cast are Alexa Davalos (FBI: Most Wanted), Allan Corduner (Homeland), Mark Feuerstein (The West Wing), Tomas Arana (The Dark Knight Rises), Jacek Koman (The Defence), Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) and Iben Hjejle (Mifune’s Last Song).
The cast is rounded out by Jodhi May (Gentleman Jack), Katy Fahy (Casualty), Iddo Goldberg (Snowpiercer), Sam Spruell (Dune: Prophecy), Ravil Isyanov (The Mentalist) and Mark Margolis (Breaking Bad).
Reception
Fans have been overwhelming positive about the movie, with one penning: “Defiance is an excellent movie based on a true story that proves that nothing is impossible to survive. Of course, the plot is romanticized, but the merit of these Bielski brothers is undeniable. The direction of Edward Zwick is outstanding, with the journey of a group of survivors that uses human characters in drama, romance and action in realistic scenes (the battle sequences are amazing).”
A second added: “This movie may not be an all-time classic, but it is a very solid WW2 tale told from a perspective I’m not accustomed to (and thus rather fresh). Being based on a true story, it is remarkable to consider the odds that the Jews faced just to survive each day, nonetheless maintain their freedom.”
© Alamy Stock PhotoMeanwhile, a third said: “Defiance is a very entertaining, exciting, suspenseful, and inspirational film about a tough topic: the Holocaust. Its many action sequences are well-paced and well-motivated,” while a fourth noted: “Splendid acting by all-star cast. Nicely photographed by Eduardo Serra in [a] colourful palette. Emotive and sensitive musical score by the great composer James Newton Howard.”
Critical reception was more mixed, with Roger Ebert musing: “The story of Defiance has all the makings of a deep emotional experience, but I found myself oddly detached. Perhaps that’s because most of the action and principal characters are within the group.”
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