Enemy at the Gates (2001)

A Russian sniper and a German sniper play a game of cat-and-mouse during the Battle of Stalingrad.

Director:

 Jean-Jacques Annaud

Writers:

 Jean-Jacques Annaud, Alain Godard

Stars:

 Jude Law, Ed Harris, Joseph Fiennes  

 

Storyline

In World War II, the fall of Stalingrad will mean the collapse of the whole country. The Germans and Russians are fighting over every block, leaving only ruins behind. The Russian sniper Vassili Zaitsev stalks the Germans, taking them out one by one, thus hurting the morale of the German troops. The political officer Danilov leads him on, publishing his efforts to give his countrymen some hope. But Vassili eventually start to feel that he can not live up to the expectations on him. He and Danilov fall in love with the same girl, Tanya, a female soldier. From Germany comes the master sniper König to put an end to the extraordinary skilled Russian sniper. Written by Mattias Thuresson

Plot Keywords:

 german | sniper | russian | stalingrad | battle | 

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Genres:

 Drama | History | Romance | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong graphic war violence and some sexuality | 

Details

Country:

 USA | France | Germany | UK | Ireland

Language:

 English | German | Russian

Release Date:

 16 March 2001 (USA) 

Also Known As:

 Enemigo al acecho 

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Box Office

Budget:

 $68,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

 £1,033,164 (UK) (16 March 2001)

Gross:

 $51,396,781 (USA) (6 July 2001)

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Company Credits

Production Co:

 Paramount Pictures, Mandalay Pictures, KC Medien 

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

 131 min

Sound Mix:

 DTS | Dolby Digital

Color:

 Color

Aspect Ratio:

 2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Major Konig, played by Ed Harris,can be seen wearing gloves with the index finger and thumb on its right hand removed. This was quite common for snipers in cold conditions as it helped prevent frostbite in the hand, while allowing them to make delicate changes to their weapon and ensuring a smooth trigger squeeze. 

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Goofs

When Zaitsev first meets Danilov (before the first five shootings), you can see many of the corpses breath in the cold air. 

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Quotes

[first lines] 
Grandfather: [whispering to boy aiming rifle] I am a stone. I do not move. Very slowly, I put snow in my mouth. Then he won't see my breath. I take my time. I let him come closer. I have only one bullet. I aim at his eye. Very gently, my finger presses on the trigger. I do not tremble. I have no fear. I'm a big boy now. Ready Vassili? Now, Vassili, fire! 

User Reviews

I simply want to weigh in with a very positive response to Enemy at the Gates. Taken as a historical drama rather than an attempt to flawlessly depict an historical incident, this is topnotch entertainment. "Enemy" portrays the conflict between a young Russian sniper played by Law and the German sniper (Harris) who is sent to kill him during the German attack on Stalingrad during WWII. Apart from a scene which awkwardly caricatures the Russian field commanders and the occasionally distracting accents, the film successfully immerses the viewer in this tense war drama. Appreciate it it for its tight focus, uncompromising realism, and fine characterizations by the main actors. Research the historical accuracy later, if you must, but don't let it spoil the film.