Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber are amazing as two of four brothers who heroically rescue and protect Jews in WWII in the forests of Belarus. This is based on a little known and true story, set in Eastern Europe, directed by Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai). He knows how to engage forceful battle scenes. Defiance is a grainy and sometimes brutal military engagement set in the dense forest, that is rainy, cold, wintry and beautiful in springtime green. The main characters have mud and blood on their face throughout the film, (yet Craig still looks good).

The vastly underrated Liev Schreiber is brutal and complex as one of the Bielski brothers, who have vengeance on theor mind when their parents and wives are slaughtered by the Nazis. It is a tale about a segment of Jews who were willing to fight, in order to be free and live for another day. Both brothers are competitive and have differing viewpoints on morality. But it is Daniel Craig who carries the film, as the oldest brother who is a gifted soldier and fighter and yet does not want to become a monster like the Nazis. There are significant themes about morality in wartime. The movie also stars Jodie May and Iben Hjielke as women who must also survive in the forest and who are willing to become "forest wives," having lost their families and spouses.

The movie plays in three parts. It begins with the slaughtering of the brother's family, and is followed by revenge. The brothers then take to the forests for safety, where they grow up and are all too familiar with. The second part deals with missions (stealing) for food and supplies from the locals who are willing to turn in the Jews to the Nazis and Russian Army. It also reveals the Russian Army's stealing of food from the same people. The Jews and the Russians must make a deal to be on the same side in their fight against the Germans.  Although the Russians are not Anti-Semitic, they are willing to look the other way at the Jewish People's plight.

The final segment deals with an all out battle with the invading Nazis. This is an incredible scene, given the fact that the Jewish people are outnumbered and manned by men, women and children. The picture closes with actual photos of the central characters and what became of them. It is a miraculous and incredulous tale of survival – an amazing true story. And what is truly astounding is that the brothers never sought recognition for what they did. I can't say enough about Daniel Craig. He is compelling and willing to take risks, not satisfied to coast with the role of James Bond. This is a gripping true tale of war and the will to survive at all costs, with dignity.

MPAA Rating - R

See trailer: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809981989/trailer#10307529