‘Excellent’ warfare movie that’s ‘thrill ride from start to finish’ is now on Netflix | Films | Entertainment | EUROtoday

A gripping wartime epic that pairs James Bond and Ray Donovan in some of the astonishing true tales of World War II is now accessible to stream on Netflix UK.

Defiance, the 2008 historic drama starring Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber, has quietly constructed a passionate fan base over time – and viewers rediscovering it as we speak are calling it “one of the best films ever.”

Set in Nazi-occupied Belarus, Defiance tells the exceptional real-life story of the Bielski brothers – Tuvia, Zus, Asael and Aron – 4 Jewish siblings who fought again in opposition to the Nazi regime by forming a resistance group within the forests.

The movie is predicated on Nechama Tec’s non-fiction guide Defiance: The Bielski Partisans, and dramatises their efforts to shelter over 1,200 Jewish refugees within the woods, creating what was successfully a hidden village below fixed menace of extermination.

Craig performs the eldest brother Tuvia Bielski, who turns into the chief of the group, whereas Schreiber takes on the function of hot-headed warrior Zus. Jamie Bell stars as their youthful brother Asael, and George MacKay – who later grew to become identified for 1917 – performed the youngest, Aron.

Released on the finish of 2008 and directed by The Last Samurai’s Edward Zwick, the movie had its US premiere simply in time for awards season and went on to obtain an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score, courtesy of composer James Newton Howard. It was additionally up for a Golden Globe in the identical class.

Filmed on location in Lithuania – simply 200 kilometres from the place the precise occasions occurred – the manufacturing used actual forest landscapes and even forged some native extras descended from Jewish households rescued by the Bielski household.

Although it opened modestly in choose cinemas, Defiance gained momentum throughout its wider launch, finally grossing $52 million worldwide. Critics gave it a blended reception, however viewers reward has solely grown with time.

One five-star reviewer on Letterboxd wrote: “Must watch 10/10. Whenever you have got Daniel Craig (Bond) and Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan) play two Nazi-hunting Jews navigating a bunch of a thousand displaced Belorussian Jews by means of the Yarden forest, going through the final word adversity – you have got me bought”. Another added: “Action-packed, great quotes, accurate, and a thrill ride from start to finish. You’ll be rethinking how powerful a sense of community is. (People forget!)”

Many fans praised the emotional weight of the story, which balances large-scale survival drama with intimate character moments. The film also explores the challenges of leadership under impossible circumstances, particularly as the group swells from a handful of fighters to over a thousand civilians.

One viewer reflected: “For me, one of the best films ever. So inspiring and tragic at the same time. Worth watching.” Another questioned why it hasn’t received greater recognition, saying “I still find it crazy that this film is not considered a modern classic, with its stunning cinematography, fantastic performances, and gripping story”.

Defiance is now accessible for streaming on Netflix UK.