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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
Product Description
Only English language is present, there is no German or Russian language track. Runtime is 125 minutes, not 131.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A compelling war drama which is a must buy,
By A Customer
This review is from: Enemy at the Gates [2001] [DVD] (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.
23 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
On of the best modern-made war films,
By A Customer
This review is from: Enemy at the Gates [2001] [DVD] (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.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ZAITSEV - hero of RUSSIA,
This review is from: Enemy at the Gates [2001] [DVD] (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 .... if you aint seen this movie yet ,then YOUR MISSING OUT
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