While the Nazi and Russian armies hurl rank after rank of soldiers at each other and the world fearfully awaits the outcome of the battle of Stalingrad, the celebrated Russian sniper Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law) quietly stalks his enemies one man at a time. His fame, however, soon thrusts him into a duel with the Nazi's best sharpshooter, Major Konig (Ed Harris), and the two find themselves waging an intense personal war while the most momentous battle of the age rages around them.
September 1942. The German Army has advanced to the gates of Stalingrad. The Russian Army holds on desperately. It is so poorly equipped that every pair of soldiers is given a single rifle--the second man only gets the weapon when the first is cut down. Trapped in no man's land between the opposing armies, Russian recruit Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law) finally acquires a rifle from Political Officer Danilov (Joseph Fiennes). Danilov is astonished when Zaitsev picks off several German officers. On their return to the Russian lines, Danilov writes about Zaitsev's exploits in the army newspaper. Zaitsev is assigned to a sniper unit. He kills more German officers and, thanks to Danilov, becomes a hero. In retaliation, the Germans bring in sharpshooter Major König (Ed Harris) from Berlin--to hunt Zaitsev. The two snipers engage in a desperate duel, as the appalling Battle of Stalingrad rages.
In ENEMY AT THE GATES, director Jean-Jacques Annaud uses a palate of dull greens, blues, and greys to tell the powerful, true story of Russian sniper Vassili Zaitsev. The film is distinguished by fine performances from Law, Fiennes, Rachel Weisz as a female soldier, and Bob Hoskins as Nikita Khrushchev--with Harris particularly notable as the chilly, aristocratic König.
Enemy At The Gates Reviews:
"...Excellent central performances. Law proves a first-rank leading man, radiating intelligence, nobility and sex appeal..." -- 4 out of 5 stars
-- Steven Goldman, Total Film
"...Panoramic, meticulously plotted combat scenes..."
-- Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
"...[Harris performance has a] chilling dignity and authority..."
-- John Wrathall, Sight and Sound
"...Annaud's film boasts harrowing battle scenes....The film brings history to vital life..."
-- Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
"...It's remarkable, a war story told as a chess game..."
-- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
"[Law] displays a facility for projecting internal activity, a trait he shares with Ed Harris..."
-- Andy Webster, Premiere
Enemy At The Gates.. Survival , Him... or You ? Well Done!! I met a Veteran who said it was true... "Forward Only"! If you retreated, you would be shot!, from both sides, it was a "DO or Die" situation! Submitted by cseyeprductions (Vancouver BC Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Excellent portrayal of the Eastern Front An excellent film portraying very well some of the realities of Stalingrad. The acting is top notch and the direction leaves you on the edge of your seat. It also portays the Russians as more than the usual stereotypical bland cruel oafs but as human beings fighting desperately against the evils of Fascism while also showing the insanity of Stalin's USSR.Recommended Submitted by Nige (Stourbridge West Midlands England) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
A war classic! A rare war movie about the Eastern Front during WWII, it even takes it a step further in depicting the Russians. A good portrayal of what it takes to become a sniper. Great action, good acting, a definite must see. Submitted by Roger (Missouri) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
five stars history movie must to make you feel that you'r in the movie time (world war 1943)
this movie do that excelent!
(sorry about my english) Submitted by kana (Misgav, North Israel) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
A rare kind of war movie This is the only movie I know of that portrays the Russians during WW2.The movie does an excellent job of showing the skill and brutality of being a sniper.The movie would have been perfect if it was'nt for the sappy love story. Submitted by Blake (Brandon,MS) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Enemy At The Gates.. Survival , Him... or You ?
A war classic!
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