But even 007 himself would have struggled with Tuvia Bielski's mission as the leader of a group of partisans against the Nazis.

Deep in the Belarussian forest, Tuvia, together with Zus, Asael and youngest brother Aron protect their stricken fellow Jews.

Many Holocaust-themed films portray Jews as the victims, going quietly to their deaths.

But Defiance is different. Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List, for example, is a magnificent film, but it leaves you feeling distraught, upset and despondent.

But director Edward Zwick has reached right into the heart of author Nechama Tec's book of the same name and made something that we, as Jews, can be so proud of.

He has created an effective narrative and, at the same time, directed something that will have the audience, at times, on the edge of their seats, cheering the valiant Jewish heroes on in their struggle.

Craig - complete with Slavic-accented English - is simply brilliant and shows his versatility as an actor in his portrayal of the heavy-drinking, hard-minded, obstinate, but responsible Tuvia. It is about as far away from Bond as you can get.

Liev Schreiber comes across as intimidating at times as Tuvia's rival brother Zus. Both actors are also so convincing when they have to speak Russian.

Once they have established themselves deep in the forest, the partisans all pitch in, building shelters, cooking and hunting.

And Zus establishes an alliance with the Russian Army that provides them with even more physical protection.

However, sibling rivalry comes into play and Zus leaves the camp, much to Tuvia's consternation.

Tuvia, Asael, played by Billy Elliott star Jamie Bell, and Aron (George McKay) are left in the forest.

Faced with malnourishment, Tuvia is forced to lead the group out of the forest and across the water to safety.

You will find it hard not to get a rush of adrenaline when the gallant brothers are shooting Nazis, Polish antisemites and collaborators.

You will marvel at these heroes who refuse to be beaten and who are genuinely tough-guy Jews, dispelling the myth of the studious and physically inept Jew.

But most of all, you will walk away with an enormous sense of pride that at least we did do something to fight back.