I watched THE PRIZEWINNER OF DEFIANCE, OHIO on DVD two nights ago and was deeply moved by it. Yesterday, as I had my sister (58) and my aunt (77) visiting for the day, I suggested that we watch it together and both of them were also very taken by the film. I think most people, and especially women who lived through the fifties and sixties, can relate to the story of this American family. The whole era is brought back to us in a very intelligent and accurate way, giving us images that are historically correct, often amusing and quite emotionally charged at times. The director must be praised for her masterful adaptation of the original novel and sensitive rendition of the screenplay in cinematic terms. Superb art direction and cinematography make meaningful contributions to the overall quality of the film. The cast is uniformly excellent even to the smallest parts. Woody Harrelson and Julianne Moore are nothing short of outstanding in their respective roles. This is a film that should find a wider audience, given the beauty of its message and its quiet, honest and highly effective emotional content.