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 enlarge | Actors: Matthais Habich, Ed Harris, Bob Hoskins, Eva Mattes, Ron Perlman
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.98
Buy Used: $1.45
You Save: $8.53 (85%)
New (71) Used (114) Collectible (1) from $1.45
Avg. Customer Rating:  376 reviews
Sales Rank: 1564
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 131
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.5
MPN: 097363386247
ISBN: 0792172760
UPC: 097363386247
EAN: 9780792172765
ASIN: B00003CXRA
Theatrical Release Date: 2001
Release Date: August 14, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Historically inaccurate, pretentious, and dull December 22, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Some of the top Amazon reviews of this picture praise Hollywood for making a war film about the Russian front. This was certainly the decisive battlefield in my opinion and has been underrepresented in Western film. Judging simply from Hollywood films, you'ld think the war was won when Rommel was thrown out of North Africa or when Tom Hanks landed on Omaha Beach. From my perspective, however, if this film is the best Hollywood can do to tell the story of the fighting on the Eastern front, they shouldn't bother. The basic premise of this film is a tale of two snipers hunting each other in the the ruins of Stalingrad. The Soviet sniper has killed many German officers, and the Germans has brought in a specialist from Berlin to counter him. Throw in a beautiful love interest, and you have the makings of a war melodrama. This film has so many flaws that my 2-star rating is generous. First, there are so many historical inaccuracies in this film that it has negative historical merit. That is, after watching this film, you'll know less about Stalingrad and the Eastern Front than before watching this film. Almost every bit of historical information in this film is wrong. A well made war movie should, in my opinion, try to retain as much historical accuracy as possible so that the viewer can both get a feel for the action and a learn something in the process. I'm not going to list everything that is wrong with this film (e.g. the Sniper Division?!?!?!?!?), but a five minute perusal of the Wikipedia entry on Stalingrad after watching this film will show you the gross inaccuracies. For a serious student of WWII, this film is an insult. Second, putting aside the historical inaccuracies, the story is overly melodramatic and simply dull. I didn't find the characters interesting, compelling, or believable. The director's attempts to portray the magnitude of the violence on the Eastern front were simply laughable. This film conveys none of the emotional impact of films such as Saving Private Ryan. This whole film feels like a video game. The love triangle aspect doesn't play out well, and the self-doubt of the characters gives the whole film an air of pretentiousness. It certainly does not make the characters more human, it makes them less interesting.
Bottom line - if you are an even somewhat serious student of WWII, I wouldn't waste my time watching this even as a rental. I strongly discourage anyone from actually buying this DVD, a waste of money. I give this film 2 stars because I've seen worse, but there isn't much here.
 Enemy at the Gates - well done December 21, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This has become one of my favorite movies with Jude Law. I wasn't sure I would enjoy a war movie, but found this story of the 2 snipers, with the backdrop of the Second WW in Stalingrad compelling. Jean-Jacques Annoud co-wrote, produced and directed this film released in 2001. Not your usual war movie, but focused on the main characters: Ed Harris as Major Konig the German officer brought to kill Zaitsev and their struggles to survive successful in eliminating the other; and it follows the relationship of political officer Danilov (Joseph Feinnes) and Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law) through many ups and downs of support, neglect, political wrangling, and later jealousy over the love interest played by Rachael Weisz. In the end Danilov sees the truth of the situation and how he used Zaitsev to serve his own purposes and questions the meaning of war. This movies deals more with the battle of wits between the snipers, and the rivalry between the 2 russians for the love of the woman, than the bigger picture of the Battle of Stalingrad. I thought it was well done; interesting; and is based on a true story.
Superb contemporary production of the WW II Stalingrad seige November 6, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Wow! Realism beyond compare in a great new war film about the WW II German invasion of Stalingrad. Two snipers pair off against one another -- high suspense and an incredible story.
There is also the expected love story sub-plot but not to the degree that the horror of this insurrection is in any way diminished.
The cinematography is astounding and the scenes are quite graphic. This is one to see, no doubt about it!
The true picture of war November 2, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Terrible yet fascinating tale of the horrors of war. This represents the true and ugly view of war.
 Enemy at the Gates September 23, 2007
This dvd should be a good addition for those who collect 'sniper' movies. The story line developed within thick fabric of Russian defense of Stalingrad (during WWII) and made it more colorful than average 'sniper' movies. It's fun to watch.
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