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From Amazon.co.uk
Enemy at the Gates opens with a pivotal event of World War II--the German invasion of Stalingrad--recreated in Saving Private Ryan-like epic scale as ill-trained Russian soldiers face German attack or punitive execution if they flee from the enemy's advance. Director Jean-Jacques Annaud captures this madness with urgent authenticity, creating a massive context for a more intimate battle waged amidst the city's ruins. Embellished from its basis in fact, the story shifts to an intense cat-and-mouse game between a Russian shepherd raised to iconic fame, and a German marksman whose skill is unmatched in its lethal precision. Vassily Zaitzev (Jude Law) has been sniping Nazis one bullet at a time, while the German Major Konig (Ed Harris) has been assigned to kill Vassily and spare Hitler from further embarrassment. There's love in this war, too, as Vassily connects with a woman soldier (Rachel Weisz), but she is also loved by Danilov (Joseph Fiennes), the Soviet officer who promotes his friend Vassily as Russia's much-needed hero. This romantic rivalry lends marginal interest to the central plot, but it's not enough to make this a classic war film. Instead it's a taut, well-made suspense thriller isolated within an epic battle, and although Annaud and cowriter Alain Godard (drawing from William Craig's book and David L Robbins' novel The War of the Rats) fail to connect the parallel plots with any lasting impact, the production is never less than impressive. Highly conventional but handled with intelligence and superior craftsmanship, this is warfare as strategic entertainment, without compromising warfare as a man-made hell on Earth. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
On the DVD: with a choice of Dolby 5.1 or DTS the sound is suitably spectacular (James Horner's Prokofiev-inspired score comes up well amid whizzing bullets and explosions), while the 2.35:1 anamorphic picture makes the best of the epic battle sequences. "Through the Crosshairs" is a standard 20-minute behind-the-scenes documentary, which is complemented by "Inside Enemy at the Gates", a 15-minute montage of interviews with the stars and director. There's also a 25-minute French-made documentary (with English subtitles) about the real battle that includes a short interview with the real Vassily Zaitsev. Eight brief deleted scenes can be played separately or neatly inserted into the movie by pressing Enter when the gun sight icon appears on screen. The commentary by director Jean-Jacques Annaud is as informative as might be expected from a director who always seems passionate about his film projects. Storyboards, posters, a trailer and filmographies round out an excellent disc package. --Mark Walker
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By K. Dennis
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
**For UK buyers of the Blu Ray import with the red cover, this US disc is region free and works on UK Blu Ray players.**
I love this film and have seen it multiple times since it was released so long ago so I wanted to get it on blu ray with some urgency, and here it is, the quality is excellent, full 1080p with a razor sharp picture, a must have.
I love this film and have seen it multiple times since it was released so long ago so I wanted to get it on blu ray with some urgency, and here it is, the quality is excellent, full 1080p with a razor sharp picture, a must have.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By XANDER
Format:DVD
ENEMY AT THE GATES in my oppinion is a must see movie for any fan of film ,based on a true story and set in the battle of STALINGRAD where Stalin himself had ordered his army that they 'MUST NOT TAKE ONE STEP BACK' , ,it tells the story of the celebrated prolific soviet sniper VASILI ZAITSEV,after taking out a group of german soldiers at long range with a standard issue Russian rifle / with no telescopic sights , ZAITSEV is swiftly assigned to the Russian army sniper division ,where he thrives , he kills 4 or 5 german officers and soldiers each day during a 3-5 month period ,and single handedly he starts to demoralise the advancing Germans troups morale , this in turn gave a much needed boost too the soviet army morale , and it gave them a hero to look up too, and the inspiration to repel the German attack time and time again , the Germans are so worried about ZAITSEV'S superior shooting ability that they draft in there own top sharp shooter to try and kill him , his name is major ERWIN KONIG a brilliant sniper in his own right , a battle of wits now commences as they both try and gain the upper hand and try to get the perfect kill shot at one another , they do this by trying to trick each other into giving away there sniper position - so now it's ZAITSEV v KONIG - LET THE BATTLE COMMENCE , who will come out on top ? , thats the question
The story is terrific and full of suspence , the movie is beautifuly shot , the battle scenes look very very real indeed , Stalingrad itself was reduced to rubble during the battle , and it is recreated amazingly well in this movie , the acting is off the very highest standard and JUDE LAW , RACHEL WEISZ ,JOSEPH FIENNES and ED HARRIS are terrific in there lead roles , and director JEAN-JACQUES ANNAUD did a sensational job of putting it all together ....... Read more ›
The story is terrific and full of suspence , the movie is beautifuly shot , the battle scenes look very very real indeed , Stalingrad itself was reduced to rubble during the battle , and it is recreated amazingly well in this movie , the acting is off the very highest standard and JUDE LAW , RACHEL WEISZ ,JOSEPH FIENNES and ED HARRIS are terrific in there lead roles , and director JEAN-JACQUES ANNAUD did a sensational job of putting it all together ....... Read more ›
32 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
I first saw this film at the cinema and was blown away by the quality of the performances, the storyline and the amazing reality of the sets.
The film is set during the battle for Stalingrad in the winter of 1942, and as with all good war films has a very personal story line set in the midst of this massive confrontation. There are several fine performances from key British actors, especially from Jude Law in the main role of Soviet Sniper - Vassili Zeitsev.
I especially enjoyed the lack of American or British armed forces involvement, as films such as Pearl Harbour and Saving Private Ryan have taken much away from the massive contribution the Russians gave to the World War II effort.
I was keen to purchase the DVD as soon as it was made available, and I would recommend this as a worthy addition to any film collection.
24 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
A good film, that sums up Enemy at the Gates. War is hell, and that is what this film shows without the need for a over the top story that Private ryan used.
Jude Law is at his usual best, and like all the characters in this film, is believable. Based on a true story, two snipers (Jude Law with the Russians) and Ed Harris (German) play a game of propoganda cat and mouse, who is the best?
This film is also non-patriotic to either side which is a much needed relief from the biased U-571, Thin Red Line and Private Ryan.
Its not the most succesful War film but the best films rarely are.
watch it and enjoy.
Jude Law is at his usual best, and like all the characters in this film, is believable. Based on a true story, two snipers (Jude Law with the Russians) and Ed Harris (German) play a game of propoganda cat and mouse, who is the best?
This film is also non-patriotic to either side which is a much needed relief from the biased U-571, Thin Red Line and Private Ryan.
Its not the most succesful War film but the best films rarely are.
watch it and enjoy.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By J. Giles
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Why has nobody reviewed this film yet?
Enemy at the Gates, is indeed a marvellous film. Based on the WWII exploits of one Vassili Zaitsev (based on Vasily Zaytsev) as he grows from humble, timid Red Army soldier into a symbol of hope for all the motherland in the form of a extremely talented sniper. In an attempt to crush soviet morale, the powers that be within the German army bring in German Major, Erwin König(an equally brilliant sniper) to eliminate Zaitsev and improved the chances of winning the battle of Stalingrad for the Germans.
This film, while apparently not historically accurate, really captures the gritty essence of WWII and war in general. Played out brilliantly by actors Jude Law(Zaitsev) and Ed Harris(König) as they hunt each other through ruined buildings in equally perilous attempts to assassinate the other. With other flawless performances coming from Rachel Weiss, Bob Hoskins and Ron Perlman, this film really is worth viewing.
My only quarrel is the lack of Russian and German accents in the film, it's hard to imagine battle hardened Nikita Khrushchev(Hoskins) talking with an English accent, with nothing but a tiny smattering of Russian. But this is easily looked past as all the actors play their roles superbly, the set pieces are utterly flawless and the story is thrilling and thoroughly compelling.
For such a cheap price here on Amazon, you'd be silly to miss out on a truly fantastic film.
Enemy at the Gates, is indeed a marvellous film. Based on the WWII exploits of one Vassili Zaitsev (based on Vasily Zaytsev) as he grows from humble, timid Red Army soldier into a symbol of hope for all the motherland in the form of a extremely talented sniper. In an attempt to crush soviet morale, the powers that be within the German army bring in German Major, Erwin König(an equally brilliant sniper) to eliminate Zaitsev and improved the chances of winning the battle of Stalingrad for the Germans.
This film, while apparently not historically accurate, really captures the gritty essence of WWII and war in general. Played out brilliantly by actors Jude Law(Zaitsev) and Ed Harris(König) as they hunt each other through ruined buildings in equally perilous attempts to assassinate the other. With other flawless performances coming from Rachel Weiss, Bob Hoskins and Ron Perlman, this film really is worth viewing.
My only quarrel is the lack of Russian and German accents in the film, it's hard to imagine battle hardened Nikita Khrushchev(Hoskins) talking with an English accent, with nothing but a tiny smattering of Russian. But this is easily looked past as all the actors play their roles superbly, the set pieces are utterly flawless and the story is thrilling and thoroughly compelling.
For such a cheap price here on Amazon, you'd be silly to miss out on a truly fantastic film.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I am not a huge fan of World War II films but, despite this, I did greatly enjoy this film. Set during the hell of the Nazis siege of Stalingrad, the film follows the fortunes of the elite Soviet sniper Vassili Zaitsev. During the course of the film Zaitsev must deal with his growing fame, a ruthless Nazi Sniper sent to kill him and a love triangle involving his greatest friend Commissar Damilov. What I like about this film is that it generally ignores the Second World War as a whole in order to concentrate on just a handful of individuals and how events affect them. There are also some beautiful special affects in the film, specifically the Luftwaffe strafing run on the Russian troop ferries at the beginning of the film. All the actors in the film give sterling performances and although the whole love triangle thing could have been left out, Enemy at the Gates is a great way to kill a couple of hours.
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3.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dramitc
Great film, edge of seat stuff. Saw this about 12 years ago and still has the drama and effect then as it does now.
Published 1 month ago by Lee
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enemy at the Gates DVD
Good film with plenty of action and also a bit of a love story which the girls will enjoy. Well worth watching.
Published 1 month ago by Shady
5.0 out of 5 stars
Non-Stop Intensity
I have seen many war movies, but very few like "Enemy At The Gates". Set during the siege of Stalingrad in 1942, this movie tells the story of Russian super sniper Vasilli Zaitsev... Read more
Published 1 month ago by James Gallen
5.0 out of 5 stars
love this film
has all the elements of a good movie. . . . . . . . . . .. . .
Published 2 months ago by otjay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great film
Can watch this film over and over again. Not quite historically accurate but Vasily Zaytsev is honestly portrayed by Jude Law and its a cracking film.
Published 4 months ago by Marcus Quinn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Epic World War 2 movie
really good world war 2 movie with Jude Law, action is quite good and quite an enjoyable couple of hours, one of my favourites and so i would recommend it :-)
Published 4 months ago by Jamie Hinton
5.0 out of 5 stars
enemy at the gates
bought this dvd to replace my worn out video version. love it. love it . i just love jude law.
Published 6 months ago by Mrs T
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
I've seen this film on television before but its worth having the dvd because you'll defanitly want to watch this war epic again.Buy it.
Published 8 months ago by sammy soft
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good!!!
Quick response to the purchase, incredible service .... these guys are amazing ... Keep it up, when something works better not touch;)
Published 11 months ago by cristian
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent but in an odd way
There's something about the visual presentation in this film that is fantastic, I find myself enjoying that aspect more than following the storyline, which is abit odd for a... Read more
Published 11 months ago by midnightrider
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