War is ugly. It is never glorious, nor grand, nor splendid. Atrocities, mayhem, hatred, wickedness and evil are better descriptions of war.
Sometimes war is necessary. When others invade, hurt or kill others and threaten to do the same, it is justifiable to defend ourselves. But, the right or justifiable war is no less ugly.
Based on a true story the movie Defiance speaks to these issues very effectively. It is action-packed, heart-stirring and deeply inspiring. Simple farmers are transformed into the limelight of heroism by the circumstances of war.
The Bielski brothers escape into the forests after their families are brutally murdered by Hitler’s advancing army of thugs. Grieving, terrified yet resolute, they are forced to shift their lifestyle of peace to desperate survival and finally to determined resistence. Living by their wits and innovation they carve out an impressive community deep in the forests that they know so well from their boyhood adventures.
Steadily they come across other Jewish refugees and enfold them into their ragtag community. Feeding them all and organizing a camp that can fend off the dangers of winter as well as the Nazis occupies their every waking moment. Disease, injuries and human selfishness are the internal battles. Bullets, bombs and artillery are their external threats.
God’s people are blessed with a resiliency that defies human understanding. Outmanned, outgunned and outsupplied this little band of survivors are held together by their faith, their devotion to something more than the eye can see and motivated by the resolve of one who stepped forward to lead them.
Family values and bonds glue these people together. Honor preserves the humanity of these refugees from becoming animals. That temptation to sink into becoming the worst of humanity is a temptation with hunger, disease and being hunted by their enemies.
In their valiant struggle they fight back not only with bullets but with life. They still love, sacrifice for others, and hope for redemption. Flashes of mercy, grace and faith emerge just at the right time during their two year long ordeal.
In one critical confrontation of selfishness that threatened to tear the community apart a very ill Tuvia acts decisively. He eliminates the violent troublemaker. It is the defining moment for the camp. Such a crisis saved hundreds of lives from imploding. Yet, it was far beyond the scope of how he was raised as a boy of deep faith. This movie will move you.
photo credit: Google image
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