Rating: L (R)

NEW YORK (CNS) — The following is a capsule review of a movie recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

This is a well-acted and too lengthy but ultimately worthy history lesson about the Bielski brothers (Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell), Jewish farmers who chose not to be victimized by the Nazis, who sheltered hundreds of Jews, taking them to safety in the forests of Eastern Europe during World War II, and who violently fought off the Germans. Director and co-writer Edward Zwick keeps the episodic story moving reasonably well considering the three-year time span, and the script gives a different perspective than the typical Holocaust movie, but the brothers’ heroism here is shown to be marred by several morally unacceptable instances of senseless slaughter. Strong sporadic violence, vigilante killing, rough language, mild sexuality and a rape reference.

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.