Hypothesis: 'Defiance and Inglorious Bastards are both independent films.The representation of Jews and Nazis varies in both films, the directors both try to get across their own messages and beliefs

The two scenes from the two films show us the difference in Leadership between Inglorious bastards and Defiance, the two role figures give a speech to those present. Aldo Raine in Inglorious bastards is presented in a very disciplined and formal way, the men present allow him their full attention and respect, he speaks in a brutal and relentless manner, wanting to kill as many Nazis as possible, no matter the risk. Where as in Defiance Tuvia Bielski presents his speech to the people much differently, addressing the need for survival and the need for togetherness, he mentions little about slaughtering Nazis, just doing what is needed to stay alive. Furthermore he also speaks of the group of fleeing Jews to be like a community, stating how all are welcome. In comparison the American born Jews are presented as much more fierce and deadly figures, where as the European Jewish community are seen as more fragile, wanting to simply stay alive, this allows us to understand the relevance the film also has in terms of historic content, the Americans would have a solid and firm leader, perhaps even fearless, where as the Jews may have someone who doesn't carry said traits.
The message the directors are trying to create is that success may be great with a strong and abled leader, someone whom can rally the people and move them in a bright direction.

The Camera in both scenes is focused on the man speaking, briefly glancing to the others present in the scene at times, the focus remains on the speakers to simply imply that the two are of importance, powerful figures, the close up shots also back this up.

The scenes from the two films show us a flict and the relationships between the two leaders and their followers, the conflict in Defiance is an inner conflict, where as in Inglorious bastards its with the Nazi Officer. In Defiance an inner conflict erupts between siblings, two brothers whom don't see eye to eye, this allows us to understand the issues that occur within a group of people fleeing for their lives, mercy is shown by the victor of the fight, Tuvia Bielski restrains himself from killing his brother. On the other hand in Inglorious bastards the situation is much different, Aldo Raine finds himself in a situation where he does not need to fight for a dominant position, those who follow him have seemingly come to their leaders aid, yet in Defiance Tuvia Bielski fights alone without aid, once deemed useless the German Officer is killed, not by the hand of Aldo Raine, but one of his men, no mercy has been shown, and they seem to stay calm and collected during the situation, this follows the typical Hollywood style, a group of Americans remaining the dominant figures, pictured in the correct light.The message is quite clear that with relationship conflict will be present at some stage, be it family or friends, yet being viewed in a certain light can grant you power, as showed in Defiance the brothers fight for dominance, and overall the man whom comes out on top will gain the positive view from the people building a strong relationship, meaning that power is also now yours.

In both scenes, the camera follows a power-like structure, especially in Defiance where the power switches between the two fighters, the weaker man always being looked down on from above, or in the concluding part of the scene where the camera is angled to look upwards towards the 'victor' of the fight. Inglorious bastards follows a much similar structure, yet the power is more fixated towards the Americans, the struggling Nazi Officer is seen in no 'shot of power'.

In the two scenes below a real display of how the two films compare regarding killing and completing a goal or objective is evident, in Defiance the Jews are much more unorganised, they have no plan, where as in Inglorious bastards the organisation is planned, the American Born jews are all highly trained soldiers, where as in Defiance most of the men hardly know how to shoot a gun. Defiance represents the professionalism of the jews rather lowly in most situations, which supports its independent film structure as not all men are suddenly highly trained soldiers, where as in Inglorious bastards they are all trained and 'able', few of the men die during the process of the film, supporting the typical Hollywood styled film. Director Edward Zwick tends to follow a similar trend in his historic events based films, wanting to make them as 'realistic' as possible, a large reason for why the Jews in Defiance follow a low level of professionalism in the fighting sector.

In both scenes the camera gives certain close-ups to show power and dominance, the power shifts in inglorious bastards between the men around the table, as no real understanding of power can be settled, it's very much up in the air, as for Defiance the scene is shot from a distance, allowing us to see the whole fight, showing us that the fighting is balanced for the most part, and that power diverts towards the Jews once they gain the upper hand.

Both scenes below show us how the Jews take their revenge and the manner in which they do it, the lack of emotion in Inglorious bastards is evident, where as in Defiance the emotion shown when hate and revenge is released is different. The Scene in where the American born jews blow up the theatre filled with the German officers is a well planned movement, demonstrating the measures these men will take to see their foes fall, once the doors close and the American born jews open fire the lack of emotion is evident and very obvious. Where as in Defiance Tuvia Bielski is seeking revenge for his parents, yet the fashion in which it's carried out is much different, he finds himself emotionally blocked, and the hesitant nature to pull the trigger. The message the director is trying to get across in Inglorious bastards is the ruthless and non-emotional stance the American born jews take when confronting their hatred against the Germans, their revenge is far from a struggle to contain, they grasp the opportunity they are given, the director suggests that they are strong-hearted, tough and emotionless. In comparison to Defiance the two scenes are very different, the director of Defiance aims to suggest that the emotional struggle of approaching you're foes is tough, that the hatred and revenge is emotional, a struggle to an extent, the message clear and simple, as much as sating you're revenge is satisfying it comes at an emotional cost.

In both scenes the camera is directed towards those with power, in Inglorious bastards the camera looks down upon the struggling German officers, all trying to escape, weak and vulnerable in their current position, Defiance follows a similar idea, the camera is looking down onto the kneeling man, the gun pointed in his direction, the power and dominance pointed towards Tuvia Bielski, the lighting also above his head shining down on him, showing us the importance of his figure and stance.

The way in which  the jews are represented in Inglorious bastards follows the typical Hollywood narrative, showing us that American Born Jews are strong hearted, abled fighters and overall a more powerful figure. In Defiance the director sticks to a more independent style, playing out a clearer and more accurate set of events for what it would of been like in the past for fleeing Jews in Nazi occupied Europe. The structure of both films is bold and the messages and beliefs that the directors get across are evident, what you see is what you get, there are few sly and discreet messages during both films, a pattern that has been followed. Overall Defiance supports a historical representation of Jews the messages from the director mainly revolve around struggle and fear, where as Inglorious bastards presents the American born Jews in a stereotypical way, having them overcome most issues and appear as abled and strong figures.

Ryan Riddock: 1400 Words