Defiance Blu-ray Review

Based on a powerful true story about brothers that helped lead a group of Jews looking to survive the Holocaust, Defiance was released on Blu-ray June 2nd from Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment. The movie is directed by Academy Award winner Edward Zwick (Blood Diamond).

Two brothers, Tuvia Bielski (James Bond’s Daniel Craig) and Zus Bielski (Liev Schreiber), find themselves in the position of leaders of a large group of hundreds of war refugees who set up a camp in the forest following the Nazi invasion. After Zus discovers his family is among those killed, his anger and naturally rebellious spirit cause him and some of the others to join the Belorussian Army in its fight against the Germans.

Tuvia stays behind and helps manage the day-to-day survival of the growing number of people in the camp. Initially focused on survival of the group he flees with, Tuvia takes on a more proactive focus on helping others in the area escape. As the camp grows, it become more difficult to maintain civility. Food is scarce, sickness has affected many, including Tuvia. He struggles to maintain his principles while making the tough decisions a “commander” must make.

Despite fighting in different battles and in different ways, the Bielski brothers both show remarkable spirit in one of the darkest periods of human history. More than a lesson in history, Defiance is a moving portrayal of the human spirit, and the resolve of the oppressed to fight not just but survival, but to live.

Daniel Craig is brilliant as the principles-based leader of the camp. He does a great job changing from an idealistic man to a still full of character, hardened leader. Liev Schreiber is great as well as the more vindictive Bielski brother. Defiance is captivating, and it is nice to watch a World War II movie that offers a positive and uplifting storyline.

Special features in the Defiance Blu-ray include:

• Commentary by Director Edward Zwick
• Defiance: Return to the Forest HD
• Children of the Otriad: The Families Speak HD
• Scoring Defiance HD
• Bielski Partison Survivors HD

• Actors: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only)
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: June 2, 2009
• Run Time: 137 minutes

Blu-ray Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

Tags: Defiance Blu-ray