Defiance | ★★★★★★★★★★

I am not sure how this wonderful 2008 movie got by my radar. I am so glad that Netflix recommended it to me. It is the inspirational true story of Tuvia Bielski, one of four Jewish brothers who escape from Nazi occupied Poland into the forests of Belarus during World War II to lead a band of resistance fighters and create a safe haven for Jewish refugees. The real-life sanctuary established by the Bielski brothers saved more than 1,000 Jews from persecution and death.

At times the movie broke my heart - I will never understand the cruelty of Nazi soldiers or the people who did not help the Jewish people. I was so inspired by the courage of the Bielski brothers and the people they led and protected in the forest. Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber played the eldest Bielski brothers and gave us a peek into the frustrations of losing their parents, wives, children and the people they cherished. The actions of the Jews in the forest often show us their raw emotions and their desire for avenge the ones they lost to the inhumanity of the Nazis.

The movie is over two hours long but it did not seem that long. The story grabs you and keeps you entranced by these courageous people as they endure the hardships of a Belorussian winter and struggle to find community in the midst of such difficult times. The selflessness and strong leadership of Tuvia is most inspirational and reminiscent of other strong cinematic leaders like William Wallace of Braveheart.. some of the Jews in the story called him Moses.. he did seem to carry them in his heart.

I highly recommend this movie. On a scale of 10 I give this movie ★★★★★★★★★★