Netflix quietly adds 'one of the best films ever' and 'a modern classic' to its streaming service
Netflix has quietly added an 'inspiring' World War Two movie based on a true story to its catalogue - which fans have dubbed 'one of the best films ever' and 'a modern classic'.
Defiance, a 2008 historical drama, features James Bond actor Daniel Craig and the star of American crime drama Ray Donovan, Liev Schreiber as Tuvia and Zus Bielski.
They tell the incredible true tale of the Bielski brothers, four Polish Jewish rebels who took on the Nazis by forming a vigilante resistance group in German-occupied Belarus.
The other two brothers, Asael and Aron, are respectively played by British actors Jamie Bell, known for his debut role in the 2000 film Billy Elliot, and George MacKay, who led Sam Mendes's 2019 war film 1917.
The story is based on historian Nechama Tec's 1993 book Defiance: The Bielski Partisans, about the eponymous group the brothers led during World War Two.
Fans have been amazed by the film, only added to Netflix two days ago - taking to the internet to express their admiration.
They tell the incredible true tale of the Bielski brothers, four Polish Jewish rebels who took on the Nazis by forming a vigilante resistance group in German-occupied Belarus
One viewer said, The Mirror reports: 'For me, one of the best films ever. So inspiring and tragic at the same time. Worth watching.'
Another added: 'I still find it crazy that this film is not considered a modern classic, with its stunning cinematography, fantastic performances and gripping story.'
Someone else said on Rotten Tomatoes it was a 'strong', 'heart-warming' and 'must-see' film: 'I loved this movie... I also love the characters, the history of these events that are told - they are true, makes it mind-blowing!'
Another similarly said: 'Outstanding! A must-watch!'
One weighed in: 'This is a great true story film about Jewish people hiding and fighting against the Germans in a forest.
'They create a community and survive on whatever they can eat and build shelters against the harsh winter.
'The acting is great, the scenery is great and it was gripping and moving. Great film if you're into World War Two.'
One particularly enthused viewer left a very long review, rating it '11/10': 'This masterpiece is beyond my all-time favourite I've ever watched...
Fans have been amazed by the film, only added to Netflix two days ago - taking to the internet to express their admiration
'I am so mind blown [about] how good this movie is, words can hardly describe the enjoyment I had watching it. Probably the most underrated movie ever made.'
The brothers survived Germany's initial invasion of eastern Poland, now Belarus, in June 1941 - but by December, their parents and two of their eight other siblings had been killed.
As the Nazis continued to persecute Jews, the Bielski brothers sought refuge in the woods near their home in 1942, first bringing their other family with them, then welcoming in others - eventually sheltering some 1,200 people at their peak.
With Tuvia as their leader, they assembled weapons and created a guerilla force which attacked Nazi occupiers, until the area the camp was in was liberated in July 1944.
Directed by Edward Zwick, known for his Oscar-winning production work on 1998's Shakespeare in Love, Defiance received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for its score, by prolific film composer James Newton Howard.
It was filmed in the middle of Lithuania, only 200km from the original camp - and cast extras with personal ties to Jews saved by the Bielskis.
It comes after another war film dubbed a 'masterpiece' and 'infinitely better than anything made in Hollywood' became free to stream.
Titled The Winter War, originally Talvisota, the military drama first hit screens back in 1989 and stars Taneli Mäkelä and Timo Torikka, amongst others.
Based on Antti Tuuri's 1984 book, Talvisota, the film goes back to 1939 and delves into when Finland tackled the Soviet army
Based on Antti Tuuri's 1984 book, Talvisota, the film goes back to 1939 and delves into when Finland tackled the Soviet army.
The war raged on for 105 more days 'in extreme conditions, through a cold and hostile winter,' according to the synopsis.
Since its release, the film has received raving reviews from fans over the years and is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
The Winter War has an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 88 per cent and many viewers have taken to the site to leave their verdicts.
One penned: 'A relatively less known Finnish master piece about The Winter War 1939-40.
'One of first 'gritty, realistic war movies', if not The First, which had direct or indirect influence to most war movies directed after it.
'No Hollywoodisms, no artificial forced plot, no superheroes, no glorification of war.'
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