Fulvue Drive-In.com
Current Reviews
In Stores Soon
 
In Stores Now
 
DVD Reviews, SACD Reviews Essays Interviews Contact Us Meet the Staff
An Explanation of Our Rating System Search  
Category:    Home > Reviews > Drama > WWII > Holocaust > Defiance (2008/Paramount Blu-ray + DVD)

Defiance (2008/Paramount Blu-ray + DVD)

 

Picture: B+/B-     Sound: B-     Extras: C+     Film: C+

 

 

It is hard to do a good film on The Holocaust, even when you have a new aspect of the story to be told that has received little attention.  Ed Zwick tells about the Bielski Brothers and those who were with them as they escaped the Nazis against all odds in Defiance, a 2008 art release from Paramount Vantage with Daniel Craig as Tuvia Bielski, the film has its moments and is worth a look.  However, it never reaches the heights of the best of these films.

 

One problem is that Liev Schreiber seems totally miscast and out of his element as Zus, who thinks Tuvia may be too kind in the face of murderous fascism and becomes the strongest conduit between them and the Soviet fighters out to get the Nazis back for betraying the Non Aggression Pact.  He can act, but his role is never totally realized, throwing the film off along with too many obvious melodrama moments and an uneven, muddled script that undermines the crux of the tale.  Still, those interested should see it one and it is nice the story was told in some form.  Jamie Bell also stars.

 

The 1080p 1.85 X 1 digital High Definition image on the Blu-ray is very impressive in the majority of new shots we get with little motion blur or detail issues.  Even the anamorphically enhanced DVD looks very good for the format and at this point in time as we inhabit the HD era.  The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix on the Blu-ray is barely better than the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix in both editions, as this is a dialogue-based film and rarely are the surrounds or bass engaged to any major extent.  That is not to say this is not well-recorded, but is limited by choice for whatever reason.  Extras on both versions include three making-of featurettes (including back stories on the real survivors and fighters portrayed in the film), previews and a fairly good audio commentary track by Zwick.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo


Marketplace


 
 Copyright © MMIII through MMX fulvuedrive-in.com