A gripping wartime epic that pairs James Bond and Ray Donovan in one of the most astonishing true stories of World War II is now available to stream on Netflix UK.
Defiance, the 2008 historical drama starring Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber, has quietly built a passionate fan base over the years – and viewers rediscovering it today are calling it “one of the best films ever.”
Set in Nazi-occupied Belarus, Defiance tells the remarkable real-life story of the Bielski brothers – Tuvia, Zus, Asael and Aron – four Jewish siblings who fought back against the Nazi regime by forming a resistance group in the forests.
The film is based on Nechama Tec’s non-fiction book Defiance: The Bielski Partisans, and dramatises their efforts to shelter over 1,200 Jewish refugees in the woods, creating what was effectively a hidden village under constant threat of extermination.
Craig plays the eldest brother Tuvia Bielski, who becomes the leader of the group, while Schreiber takes on the role of hot-headed warrior Zus. Jamie Bell stars as their younger brother Asael, and George MacKay – who later became known for 1917 – played the youngest, Aron.
Released at the end of 2008 and directed by The Last Samurai’s Edward Zwick, the film had its US premiere just in time for awards season and went on to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score, courtesy of composer James Newton Howard. It was also up for a Golden Globe in the same category.
Filmed on location in Lithuania – just 200 kilometres from where the actual events took place – the production used real forest landscapes and even cast some local extras descended from Jewish families rescued by the Bielski family.
Although it opened modestly in select cinemas, Defiance gained momentum during its wider release, eventually grossing $52 million worldwide. Critics gave it a mixed reception, but audience praise has only grown with time.
One five-star reviewer on Letterboxd wrote: “Must watch 10/10. Whenever you have Daniel Craig (Bond) and Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan) play two Nazi-hunting Jews navigating a group of a thousand displaced Belorussian Jews through the Yarden forest, facing the ultimate adversity – you have me sold”. 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 available for streaming on Netflix UK.