Defiance

Why Is Defiance Rated R?

Based on historical accounts of Jews who were determined to hide from the wrath of Hitler’s invasions, this film details the efforts made by three brothers to protect a growing group of refugees. Frequent violence includes scenes of soldiers killing innocent people, including women, children and the elderly. Shootings are portrayed on-screen, and people are rounded up and taken away in trucks. Others are thrown, injured and killed during a bombing raid. Verbal threats and racial slurs are heard. A horse is shot off-screen. Sexual content is limited to discussions of people taking “forest wives” and “forest husbands”—many of these people are married, but have no idea if their spouses have survived. One couple is seen in bed, sexual activity is implied. A discussion occurs about a pregnant woman who was raped by a Nazi. A man unknowingly urinates on another man who is hiding. Profanities are moderately frequent, and include about a half-dozen sexual expletives, scatological terms, and religious profanities. Cigarettes smoking and alcohol use (sometimes to the point of impairment) are depicted.