Overall Rating: B−
Filmmaking/Artistic: B−
Storytelling: C+
MPAA Rating: R (Realistic depiction of Nazi crimes and resistance countermeasures)
The pitch
As this film portrays the true story of Belarussian Jews who resisted the evil of the Nazis (and in some cases their own countrymen), Your Movie Monkey does not believe a humorous “pitch” is appropriate.
Mini-review
Although Your Movie Monkey is not enough of a history buff to confirm the accuracy of the claim, this movie retells the story of Belarussian Jews who resisted the orders of the invading Germans to go to their deaths.
Led by 4 brothers, these Jews hid out in the woods beginning with the 1941 invasion, and lasting for about 3 years. While in some cities the number of Jews was dropped from the thousands to 50 in a few short weeks, these descendants of these 1200 survivors now number in the thousands or tens of thousands.
The two eldest of the brothers, who experience or learn of the murders of their parents, wives, and children, are played by Daniel Craig (the oldest who leads the band) and Liev Schreiber (the second oldest who ends up joining the Red Army in resistance), and both do a decent job. Schreiber’s character, Zus Bielinski, is a militant intent on revenge, while Craig’s character, Tuvya, believes that refusal to stoop to the level of the Germans is what makes them human.
The two philosophies clash often throughout the film. As an example, the brothers decide that they will only take food from farmers “who can afford the loss”, and they take milk from a farmer who claims that if he doesn’t make his quota, the Germans will kill him and his family. They take the milk (and Zus takes the farmer’s coat as well), but Zus believes they should kill the farmer who is a witness. Tuvya lets him live, only to have him lead the Germans to their camp.
These moral dilemmas are highlighted in the conversations between a rabbi and an intellectual who become friends and enjoy good natured argument. Further, the people who live with Tuvya and Tuvya himself are presented with a real dilemma when they capture a blond-haired, blue-eyed German solider, who is clearly terrified. They find valuable information on this German who screams “Bitte, ich habe eine Frau und kleine Kinder! (Please, I have a wife and small children!”) While Tuvya willingly turns his back, the Jews scream in return “And my brother’s name was Max! And my mother’s name was Anna!”, and cannot resist, and beat him to death.
As a film, it seemed a little bit plodding. Your Movie Monkey found himself hitting fast forward on several occasions. Plus, the characters speak a combination of their native tongue and accented English. Your Movie Monkey finds this construct distracting… if there is to be a switch to English, just switch to unaccented English. (It’s the Kevin Costner Theorem.)
But even with these slow pieces, it feels like an honor to watch the resolve of these people who were faced with unmitigated evil, and who choose to take everyone along with them (including the elderly and the sick), so that no one would be left behind.
). But this one is well worth it.
