Nathan W
This film started out very strong, and most of the first reel was a pretty accurate and harrowing depiction of Russia's early involvement in World War 2. The battle scenes were complex, realistic, and wonderfully graphic. (Really felt like we were in the thick of it). It did a great job framing how messy and chaotic the Red Army offensive was at that point. No real strategy or anything, just throwing bodies at the German lines, and hoping for the best. I thought it was an immensely effective period piece, and the amount of detail that went into every scene was very impressive. I mean, the costumes, the props, the set pieces, the battlefields... It all looked incredible, and not one thing felt out of place. I thought the CGI might be a weak point for this movie, but it was more than passable for the time. (Not overly relied upon, but hardly noticeable when it was). The score wasn't bad at all, but it got a little repetitive, and didn't always match the tone of the film. (Sometimes it was too upbeat when dangerous stuff was happening). There was quite the pool of acting talent working on this project, and most of the performances did not disappoint. Jude Law brought his usual A-game, Rachel Weisz was especially emotional and moving, and Bob Hoskins absolutely crushed it as Khrushchev. (I only wish the man had more screentime, because he absolutely stole every scene that he was in). Special commendations go out to Ron Perlman, who was witty and amusing for his brief stint, and Joseph Fiennes, who was magnificent and I don't know why he isn't in more pictures. The only person I didn't care for was Ed Harris. It could have been how his character was written, but he didn't wow me, and felt a bit out of place to be honest. Before we get to the stuff that could have been better, I have to offer my praise to the cinematographers. It was such a good-looking film overall. They beautifully captured the horrors of war, which is a major reason why I rated it so high. There was so much variety, so many interesting and creative shots, and it added a lot of visual interest to otherwise dull scenes. That's probably as good of a segue as I'm going to get, but there was a little too much downtime for my liking. The "cat and mouse" game was still interesting, and certainly not without suspense, but it wasn't the most exciting thing either, and it occupied too much of the runtime. (Not enough about the war at large). It kind of had the same problem as "Pearl Harbor". You know, we had great action out of the gate, then it became more of a character drama, and then a romance happened for some reason. (I get that all of this was done to appeal to the masses, but it would have been better to play things more serious, and have German/Russian subtitles instead of everyone speaking English). As I said, the acting was pretty great all around, and the deliveries mostly felt right, but people's attitudes didn't quite match what was going on. (A little bit too calm and cheerful for the danger they were facing). The writing wasn't bad, but the story could have been more focused, as it tended strayed from the main plot. And lastly, I don't know if production was behind, or the film got too long, but the ending felt rushed, and it wasn't the exciting climax I was hoping for. That might seem like a lot of complaints for a four star rating, but it was still the most convincing, and best-looking war movie I've ever seen. The attention to detail was second to none, which is more than enough to erase a few creative shortcomings in my book.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
07/09/24
Full Review
Rory W
Absolutely thrilling based on a very accurate description of the battle of Stalingrad. Others may say the love story shouldn’t be involved when in reality it was part of Visiliy and Tania’s reality to a degree. Must see for anyone that likes WWII movies.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
06/30/24
Full Review
Justin W
Epic masterpiece, one of the best war adaptation. A never get old duel of the century.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/17/24
Full Review
Peter P
Jude laws performance let's it down, as does the unrealistic conditions, love story and overall pacing and feel. Despite this, it has some iconic moments and a worthy villain in Ed Harris. A gripping addition to the pantheon of war classics.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
11/29/23
Full Review
Matthew D
Fearsome sniper sequences and strong acting mark this gripping marksman movie.
French director Jean-Jacques Annaud's war drama Enemy at the Gates (2001) shows off Communist propaganda in making Vassili Zaitsev into a Soviet sniper hero to intimidate Germans and bolster Russian courage. Annaud's direction shows Russian bravery to be fair in depicting soldiers' courage under fire as well as being anti-Communist propaganda against the brutality of the Russian command killing Russian deserters. The sniper combat is ultra realistic and visceral. I love sniper films like Shooter or The Day of the Jackal. Enemy at the Gates scratches that itch.
The sniper action sequences are riveting and cool with killer acting from Jude Law. I loved Enemy at the Gates when it first released, and I still enjoyed it decades later. The main sniper duel between Jude Law's Vassili and Ed Harris' Major König is outstanding with nerve-wracking tension. The cat and mouse sniper fire is exhilarating as you anticipate each sniper rifle round firing at our hero.
Writers Jean-Jacques Annaud and Alain Godard waste time on a love triangle subplot, but it does give Rachel Weisz something to do. I love the dire situation that The Battle of Stalingrad always feels hopeless and grim. The bloody combat is realistic and you feel the high stakes of Russian needing to win back Stalingrad for Stalin and The Allies against Hitler and the Nazi Axis Powers. I found it interesting that they mention here in dialogue that Russians care nothing for Ukrainian lives and Jewish people want Palestine as their home as talking points back in 2001. It's a fascinating supposedly true story of Vassili. The real sniper had enormous amounts of real confirmed kills.
Jude Law is awesome as Soviet sniper and war hero Vassili. His initial display of military marksmanship by shooting five German officers with only five bullets will make you believe Law can play a skilled sniper. Law is so handsome and commanding with real dramatic gravitas. The late 1990's and early 2000's were a great time to be a fan of Jude Law. Joseph Fiennes is very good as the big talker comrade Danilov, who boosts Vassili's fame for propaganda. Fiennes makes Vassili a target, while playing a bit of a talkative fool. He plays up the romance triangle aspect with jealousy and silly charisma. Law is clearly the stronger actor.
Rachel Weisz is gorgeous and compelling as Russian soldier Tania. She is so pretty, charming, and charismatic. Weisz plays the beautiful love interest and patriotic Russian sniper fighter well. I like that she wants to fight and be useful. She has wonderful romantic chemistry with Jude Law. Ron Perlman is excellent and funny as Vassili's sniper spotter Koulikov. He's a fun foil and helper for Law to bounce off.
Bob Hoskins plays Khrushchev as a sturdy scumbag and stalwart Russian military commander who will do anything for victory. Ed Harris is amazing as skilled German sniper Major König. Harris makes for a formidable villain. This is some of Harris' finest and scariest acting. His antagonist is cunning and ruthless as you'd expect for a German Nazi. Sure all the Germans sound American and the Russians bear British accents.
Editors Noëlle Boisson and Humphrey Dixon carefully cut between faces, eyes, rifles, and hands in riveting sniper sequences. Cinematographer Robert Fraisse's wide shots of battlefields are amazing. But the real joy of Enemy at the Gates' visual prowess are all the close-up shots of sniper rifle barrels, bullets being loaded, empty shells being discharged, and piercing eyes brought into focus as a sniper takes aim. Production designer Wolf Kroeger recreates war torn rubble and ruins of Stalingrad with precision and realism.
Composer James Horner's film score is magnificent. His haunting melodies are full of sorrow and splendor. I love his fierce battle score that is massive in scope and chilling during sniper combat. Sound designers Martin Cantwell, Kevin Tayler, Eddy Joseph, Andreas Biegler, Martin Müller, Rick Kline, Paul Carr, Chris Carpenter, Peter Holt, and Christian Wegner let sniper fire burst and echo with a loud bang.
Costume designers Janty Yates, Gudrun Leyendecker, David Crossman, Brigitte Friedländer-Rodriguez, Mary Elizabeth Still, and Carola Raum make dozens of soldier uniforms that look worn. Makeup artist Valeska Schitthelm gives each actor a haggard look with dirt and grime. Jude Law and Rachel Weisz obviously look perfect. Hairstyling from Linda DeVetta, Valeska Schitthelm, and Hasso von Hugo give Rachel the loveliest black wavy hair.
In all, Enemy at the Gates is gripping and very cool. I love Jude Law and Rachel Weisz here.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11/15/23
Full Review
Chett T
"Enemy at the Gates" stands as a cinematic testament to the visceral and hauntingly authentic portrayal of the horrors and complexities of war, particularly during the pivotal Battle of Stalingrad in World War II. The film, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, delves into the psychological and emotional toll of conflict, weaving together the lives of soldiers, civilians, and the tumultuous environment of a besieged city. The opening scenes set a tone of bleak desolation, with the stark visuals capturing the chilling reality of war-torn landscapes.
The narrative revolves around the duel between two expert snipers, Vassili Zaitsev (played by Jude Law) and Major Erwin König (played by Ed Harris), a battle within the larger battle that becomes a microcosm of the larger war itself. The film excels in capturing the tension and psychological strain of this deadly contest, emphasizing the mind games and strategies employed by both sides. The contrast between the intimacy of the sniper's duel and the grand scale of the Battle of Stalingrad serves as a powerful metaphor for the individual's struggle within the larger context of war.
The performances by the cast are commendable, with Jude Law and Ed Harris delivering nuanced portrayals that effectively showcase the inner turmoil and determination of their characters. However, the film falters in its handling of the romantic subplot between Vassili and Tania (played by Rachel Weisz), which at times feels underdeveloped and overshadowed by the larger narrative.
The film's cinematography, under the skilled eye of Robert Fraisse, contributes significantly to the overall atmosphere. The camera work alternates between frenetic and intimate shots, capturing the chaos of battle as well as the quieter moments of reflection. The use of muted colors and dim lighting serves to further immerse the audience in the grim and stark environment of war-torn Stalingrad.
The pacing of "Enemy at the Gates" is a mixed bag, with moments of intense action juxtaposed against slower, character-driven scenes. While this approach aims to provide a comprehensive view of the various aspects of war, it occasionally results in shifts in tone that can be jarring for viewers. However, these shifts also mirror the unpredictable nature of war itself.
In conclusion, "Enemy at the Gates" stands as a commendable attempt to capture the multifaceted nature of war and the human spirit's capacity to endure and overcome. Its strengths lie in its gritty visuals, psychological depth, and attempts to shed light on the lesser-known aspects of history. While it occasionally stumbles in its narrative execution, the film ultimately serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of conflict and the indomitable resilience of individuals caught in its midst.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
08/09/23
Full Review
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