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The stakes are high as Zaitsev has become a Soviet hero through
the propaganda machine run by Political Officer Danilov (Joseph
Fiennes) and his death would be a major blow to the resolve
of his hard-pressed comrades.
Sound implausible? Well, it's actually a true story and director
Jean-Jacques Annaud has built up a pretty damn good movie
around it.
Stalingrad cost the Soviets more than one million soldiers
and while they were fighting the Nazis, the Communists showed
they were as - if not more - ruthless than their brutal enemy.
Political officers shot wavering soldiers, retreat meant
a bullet in the back of the head and thousands of troops died
without even having the benefit of a rifle with which to fire
back.
Beautifully filmed, Enemy at the Gates is an exciting
war movie that gets up and close with the main protagonists
and Annaud's direction makes the most of the icy blue eyes
of both Law and Harris.
The transfer is a beauty and while it is mostly battlefield
greys and browns, when the red stuff starts getting splashed
about it's all in vivid colour. The picture is sharp and the
excellent sound plonks you right into the middle of the battles
and almost has you diving for cover as explosions land around
you.
So, who survives the sniper duel? Well, Enemy at the Gates
is well worth sitting through to find out!
Conclusion: Movie 85%, Extras 75%
Continued:
DVD details at a glance >
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