Enemy at the Gates

Rating:
Summary: Unknown truth
Review: It is not wide known, but Vassily Zaitsev existed in real life. He did participate in the Battle for Stalingrad as well as other major Russian campaigns against the Germans in WWII. Decorated veteran, he was well known in Russia. The documented data on him can be found on the display at the permanent exhibit in the Cental Museum of the Russian Army in Moscow.
The movie is good, but the episodes with the Russians shooting at their own troops are derived from the Cold-War-type mythology. Comrade Khruschev also looks a bit comic, right?

Rating:
Summary: 13 Minutes Of Action Crammed Into 2 1/2 Hours.....
Review: Formulaic. Dull. Insipid.

One Sore Thumb Down...(Too Much Fast Forwarding..)

Rating:
Summary: Does it beat SPR?
Review: The question about "Enemy at the Gates" is whether or not it can even compare to Steven Spielberg's 1998 epic "Saving Private Ryan." The answer, of course, is no, although I do feel it could have been almost as good. The plot is based on the famous battle of Stalingrad during World War II, where sniper Vassili Zaitsev becomes the country's hero because of his great marksmanship and ability to stay alive.

However, there are problems with this movie. First off, all Russian soldiers speak with British accents and all Germans sound American. Second, Ed Harris didn't quite fit the role of the German sniper. I think he's too well-known to play this character, and a lesser known actor would've been better. (Although Jude Law is supurb as Zaitsev) Also, this film is based on the fictionalized happenings of the battle, and the book Enemy at the Gates. I would've preferred it to be based on the actual events, like in the book War of the Rats, which I read and was amazing.

Overall, "Enemy at the Gates" is a great war movie with a lot of action--and lots of blood--mild language throughout and easily passes "Pearl Harbor" as the best war film released this year. In the end, "Saving Private Ryan" still reigns as the best World War II film ever released. Other good war movies are "The Patriot" and "Braveheart". Thanx for reading!

Rating:
Summary: The Eastern Front - WWII
Review: This is an Epic, brilliantly directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. The spectacular opening scene depicting the Russian's frantic defense of Stalingrad - huge scenes of the devastation, the misery of citizens, the green soldiers used as cannon fodder --- make a stunning impact.

The cast is impeccable: the always electrifying Ed Harris as a suave, German super sniper, his interaction with the Russian child is deserving of an Academy Award; Jude Law as a lowly country bumpkin Russian soldier who has an astounding talent for marksmanship; Joe Fiennes playing the aristocratic idealist (compare him to Henry Fonda playing Pierre in War and Peace) have the main roles. Excellent supporting roles are dependable Ron Perleman as a war-weary, sardonic soldier, and Bob Hoskins playing Nikita Khruschev (the resemblance is uncanny!)

A few minor annoyances: the love story did not do much to advance the plot, but I admit I like my war stories "pure." A final scene where Major Konig (Ed Harris) breaks all the rules of sniperdom and stands up silhouetted against the sky is unbelievable. The DVD "extras" are a little disappointing-too much puffery for the movie, except the interview with the charming, effervescent director Annaud.

A group of us with highly divergent movie tastes watched this and all gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: unreal but true
Review: Most people would not believe that this is based on a true story, but it is and it was the most famous sniper duel of all time

Rating:
Summary: A Great DVD To Add To Your War Collection!
Review: This is up there with Saving Private Ryan!

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Summary: I guess symbolism is dead?
Review: I've read some reviews that seem to miss the point. The last review says, "Regrettably, the duel between Zaitsev and Koenig seemed to be taking place in a separate reality than the war itself, almost giving the impression that both sides had an unwritten agreement to let the two rivals shoot it out without interference." That's the point. That confrontation is not real.

The main theme throughout the film is the question of reality in war. Zaitsev is a product of Soviet propaganda. As the film goes on, the director deliberately blurs the lines between myth and reality The final confrontation is deliberately mythic. The area is abandoned. There is no artillery. It's shrowded in fog. It's... empty. It is in sharp contrast to the more realistic scenes in the film. It's both symbolic and mythic. In short, the director is telling us it didn't happen this way...

This film isn't for everyone, but there's a reason cinema critics raved about it. This is more artistic than most people will get. It is full of symbolism and imagery. If you know what to look for, you'll see the influence of the great Soviet director Eisenstein.

If you're looking for Saving Private Ryan on the Eastern Front, watch the German made "Stalingrad" instead. If you want proof that someone does make "cinema" these days and not just "movies", watch this film.

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME AND PASSIONATE WAR MOVIE
Review: This movie always appealed to me, and when I finally watched it on DVD, I was amased. It's tells the true story of a Russian and German sniper in a cat and mouse glory fight during the invasion of Stalingrad. Violent and graphic, it stars Jude Law, Ed Harris, and Rachel Weiz. The only problem is that the Russians even when talking in seccret don't talk in Russian! I know they must speak in English, but a little Russian there and there, huh?
This is an R rating for strong graphic war violence and a strong sex scene which is overdone...but still great!

Rating:
Summary: "Saving Private Ryan" it ain't
Review: I had been conned by various professional reviewers into thinking the opening scene was as awful as that of "Saving Private Ryan." It's not even close. Then I had a problem with the Russians all having English accents, except for Bob Hoskins, who at least attempts a Russian accent as he chews up the scenery. The "duel" itself is what makes the movie, with the noble kulak prole going up against the elegant upper-class Nazi. Unfortunately there are scenes that almost verge on parody. I kept imaging Harris, as the Nazi, with a shaved head, a dueling scar and a monocle. After all, he does smoke cigarettes with a gold filter. Then there's Ron Perlman as a toothless Russian sniper. I suspect many of the soldiers in those horrible days looked more like him than Jude Law. I also cannot believe any sniper could make one certain shot--when some soldiers jump across a hole. Neither do I think the guy who gets shot would stop still in the air and then fall straight down, unless of course the laws of physics were suspended for this movie. Still, it's not that bad of a movie, and does pretty accurately portray the ghastly battle of Stalingrad.

Rating:
Summary: Lifeless.
Review: I have this theory that the better the movie, the more disjointed andscattered the supporting material is on the DVD. Hannibal had hoursof slick promo interviews -- so does Enemy At The Gates. I satthrough it anyway.

To be kind, it lacks the visceral kick of PrivateRyan, or the emotional insight of Thin Red Line.

But to be blunt:What were they thinking?

A cast of competent actors cannot save thiscliche ridden nonsense. Every scene is an exercise innon-directing/non-writing/non-acting/non-film-making. The story isbased on real incidents but not happy to leave well enough alone,Annaud has decided to seek a greater truth -- i.e. change it all andmess it up in the process.

What we are left with are all the badmoments in movies strung together -- a love triangle, a dramaticslaughter of troops charging across red square, blah blah blah.

Thecast seems to have no idea why they're there. You get the feelingthey had no rehearsal time, no discussion about scenes, wereimprovising the script, and had no idea that they were actually goingto use the takes they were shooting.

Why two stars instead of one?Well it looks nice. The photography and effects are appropriate, notobtrusive.

And Bob Hoskins was good.