Defiance

Cast & Crew

Above the line View all

Director
Edward Zwick
Executive Producer
Marshall Herskovitz
Producer
Edward Zwick
Producer
Pieter Jan Brugge
Writer
Clayton Frohman

Cast View all

Tuvia Bielski
Daniel Craig
Zus Bielski
Liev Schreiber
Asael Bielski
Jamie Bell
Lilka
Alexa Davalos
Shamon
Allan Corduner

Departments View all

Director of Photography
Eduardo Serra
Costume Designer
Jenny Beavan

Costume Designer
Jenny Beavan
Picture Editor
Steven Rosenblum
Composer
James Newton Howard

Synopsis

Genre: Drama | War

Based on an extraordinary true story, DEFIANCE is an epic tale of family, honor, vengeance and salvation in World War II. 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. Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell star as brothers who turn a primitive struggle to survive into something far more consequential – a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones by saving thousands of others.

At first it is all they can do to stay alive. But gradually, as whispers of their daring spreads, they begin to attract others – men and women, young and old – willing to risk everything for the sake of even a moment’s freedom. Tuvia (CRAIG) is a reluctant leader and his decisions are challenged by his brother, Zus (SCHREIBER) who worries that Tuvia’s idealistic plans will doom them all. Asael (BELL) is the youngest – caught between his brothers’ fierce rivalry. As a brutal winter descends, they work to create a community, and to keep faith alive when all humanity appeared to be lost.

Latest Updates

Daniel haunted by Defiance

Published on: May 20, 2009

DANIEL CRAIG was haunted by the horrendous crimes that had taken place near the set of his World War II drama Defiance.

In The Sun's exclusive feature, to celebrate the release of the DVD, he talks about his role as Belarus resistance fighter Tuvia Bielski, who protected Jewish villagers from Nazi slaughter.

"...It doesn't go away. History like that doesn't go away, and it's important to tell that in the right place..."

Watch the feature here.

The Sun
By:Alison Maloney

Defiance is out now on DVD

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Interview: Daniel Craig for "Defiance"

Published on: December 15, 2008

Dark Horizons has caught up with Daniel Craig on his latest film 'Defiance'. Craig talks about his role as Tuvia Bielski, a Jewish who escapes the Nazi-occupied Poland and joins the Russian resistance fighters to keep out of danger. He also chats about meeting the real Beliski family, and learning about their story. Craig goes on to discuss the physical demands of the film, and the success of 'Quantum of Solace'. 'Defiance' is out in theaters January 16.

"...it was physically demanding because we were literally filming on slopes like this in wet, cold weather all day long. We had a crew of grips that were running around with track and putting them at all sorts of angles. I mean, we were all physically running and up and down these hills day..."

Read the full interview here.

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