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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: $0.94
You Save: $9.04 (91%)
New (74) Used (104) Collectible (2) from $0.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  375 reviews
Sales Rank: 4966
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
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: FORMAL RENTAL NO ARTWORK Guaranteed to play. Normal case wear with stickers, very slight scratches. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
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| Customer Reviews:
 This is one of the finest-ever WW II films December 17, 2005
7 out of 10 found this review helpful
At least three films are needed to describe World War II values; this one is a Russian view, 'Stalingrad' is the German reaction and 'Saving Private Ryan' is for the Americans.
In each case, lots of men die. 'Ryan' is typically American, stumbling into hell and then showing incredible courage in the belief that despite the bumbling of superiors they will make it a better place. 'Stalingrad' is typically Nazi, based on the heartless assumption that human lives do not matter for any reason. 'Enemy' expresses the "soul" of the Russian people, incredibly decent, humane and resourceful despite the total depravities of their communist rulers.
It's a simple story. The film opens with masses of Russians being driven into withering German machinegun fire at Stalingrad. Many of those Russian serfs are without weapons, because their commanders know the unarmed soldiers will be able to use the weapons of those who are the first to be killed. Gradually, the commissars realize they must treat common soldiers with some decency if they are to avoid defeat. So, to show the Red Army that it is possible to defeat the Germans, a skilled sniper is elevated to be a popular hero of the people. It's based on actual events, like the other two films.
All three are visually stunning, a graphic reminder of the brutal impact of war. The acting is superb; the plots, in each case, have an authentic tone. Purists will have a delight debating picayune details in each film, perhaps never realizing that life and war includes incongruities as well as logic. If you've been there, you already know anything is possible.
Instead, watch this film because of how it depicts the character of the Russians, a people who rose far above their communist masters to win a tremendous victory. It should be remembered the Russians faced and defeated 80 percent of the Nazi military. The ordinary Russian is resourceful, brave, decent and loyal to a fault to Mother Russia; Stalin is portrayed as an absolute tyrant who ruled only by extreme terror, while Krushchev is presented as the ruthless commisar who slowly learns to listen to the advice of others.
As in most literature, the central characters are larger-than-life stereotypes. In 'Enemy', the Russian sniper and his girlfriend become people anyone would genuinely like to know and invite home for a barbecue; Krushchev is the boss to definitely avoid, while the German sniper is a prime candidate for lethal injection.
But this together with gripping action and sustained suspense -- any fool knows it will end with a dead German and the good Russian alive somewhere with his girlfriend -- but getting there is a is a beautiful chess game in which pawns, knights, bishops and queens fall until only one king is left alive. Like most stories, the history may not always be as clear as some would like; but then, is 'The Illiad' or the Bible accurate history? Hardly. Instead, the truly great works of literature and film are more of an impressive study of character and morals.
In that, it ranks with the best films of World War II.
Buy this, then get 'Stalingrad' and 'Saving Private Ryan'. The subtleties within each will be appreciated once all three have been viewed.
vondaful, darling, vondaful! November 20, 2005
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
I really liked this movie. Jude law was spectacular- as well as all the other actors. The authenticity of the story made the movie. I highly recommend it
 It could have been so awesome...! November 5, 2005
49 out of 68 found this review helpful
I was "temping" at Sovietski Collection Imports when a huge order arrived for WWll era uniforms and props. They were to outfit an upcoming film about the snipers of the Battle of Stalingrad! Not a documentary, but a full length Major Motion Picture! I could hardly contain my excitement waiting for its debut; it was gonna be so awesome...!
It could have been, but alas, it wasn't. Anyone remember the Aesop's fable wherein a farmer permits a fox, closely pursued by hunters, to hide in his barn? Then the farmer loudly tells the hunters he has seen no fox, all the while winking and gesturing toward the barn. The hunters depart, not getting the message. As the fox takes her leave, the farmer berates her for showing no gratitude. "I would be more grateful," she replies, "if only your body language had been as helpful as your words." Likewise, "Enemy at the Gates" gets a star of gratitude for recognizing the enormous Soviet contribution to the Victory, and for its portrayal of sympathetic Russian and Ukrainian heroes based on real people. But, like Aesop's fox, I'm unimpressed by its overall body language.
OK, I didn't expect strict historical accuracy from Jean-Jacques Annaud. After all, he had previously given us that ludicrously un-natural "nature" film of a male bear nurturing an orphan cub! One expects Hollywood fantasy to pervade even "realistic" movies. The fact that EATG's famous duel likely never occured does not detract from the overall story. Silly melodrama, banal dialogue, distracting accents, and unbelievable actions, to a greater degree, do. But I could have overlooked those. I could even forgive the unrealistic suspensions of fighting which occur each time the snipers take to the streets. Because EATG gives us the immensely interesting Stalingrad setting, complete with long overdue Eastern Front heroes for us to root for! But wait... all is not what it seems. Unfortunately, its overwhelming amount of heavyhanded russophobic propaganda suggests that the producers' fear, like that of Aesop's farmer, was being pegged an "enemy collaborator." And unlike the hunters in the fable, the audience can't possibly miss the (wink, nudge) "message."
I could cite dozens of examples, but here are just a few, crafted to create a politically-correct counterbalance of Russian incompetance and callousness: #1. That unforgetable Volga crossing; those sluggishly moving boats under unopposed Stuka fire! In reality, most crossings were done at night, under cover of darkness and Soviet air defense forces (PVO). #2. Those human waves of unarmed cannonfodder hurling themselves against German fortifications, shadowed by NKVD gunners itching to mow down any retreat! In fact, depicted here are a penal battalion and blocking troops, not a typical Red Army engagement. This scene is especially dishonest, because in Stalingrad, highly effective ten-man squads, well armed with machine guns and other weapons, engaged in urban guerrilla combat. The setting was more likely a ruined house or factory than an open town square! #3. Those CGI formations of German bombers brazenly razing the city -- and no Russian planes in sight! In fact, Stalingrad was where Soviet aviation finally gained air superiority over the Luftwaffe. Fighter pilots of the PVO guarded installations and strategic locations. "Free Hunters" of the Soviet air force (VVS) patrolled the city, seeking targets of opportunity. Some of these pilots, such as the female ACE Lilya Litvyak, became as legendary as the famous sniper Vasiliy Zaitsev.
Which brings me to EATG's main characters. Zaitsev, while played charmingly by Hollywood heartthrob Jude Law, was actually a strict, self-confident leader, not a shy farmboy. He did have a frontline affair with one of his female snipers. (One of the film's redeeming features is its recognition of the million-plus Soviet women combatants.) We never see Weiss's character fire her weapon. However, Tanya Chernova was already a partisan and sniper before meeting Zaitsev, and scored some 81 kills in her short war-career. The young Ukrainian was obsessed with avenging her family -- to the point of disregarding Zaitsev's training. After she initiated one premature firefight, resulting in the deaths of her comrades, Zaitsev slapped her across the face in rage. So much for the tender Hollywood romance! Nor did he return for her following her wounding and recovery. When asked why, he coldly replied he didn't want a woman whose injuries prevented her from bearing children! The political officer Danilov is misrepresented in the film, an embarrassing, contrived character whose purpose is to provide Zaitsev a romantic rival. For most of the movie, the character is the producers' main vehicle for disseminating their russophobic sentiment. At the end, Danilov's tearful anti-communist epiphany and lovesick sacrifice are not only unconvincing but nauseating. Equally hamhanded, politically-correct anti-commie dialogue was scripted for Ron Perlman's completely wasted character. Also irritating was the film's portrayal of Sasha, the too-adorable chocolate-loving child martyr. The real Sasha, who met the same fate as the celluloid urchin, was a partisan already in his late teens. And the less said about the outrageously over-the-top performance of Bob Hoskins as Nikita Khruschev, the better!
All in all, this film promised so much greatness and delivered so much b.s. I'm sorry to say so. But the truth is this: I would be embarrassed to sit through this offensive mess with any of my Russian friends. The German film "Stalingrad" gives a much more accurate and serious impression of the turning-point battle. William Craig's book, which inspired the title and some of the scenes of EATG, is worth reading. David L. Robbins' historical fiction "War of the Rats" will appeal to those interested in snipers, although it has way too much emphasis on the Zaitsev/Chernova love affair (and even portrays Tanya as an American). My recommendation for anyone who would like to experience a truly realistic novel of the Battle of Stalingrad, by a writer who was on site: find a translated copy of Konstantin Simonov's "Days and Nights." And get ready for a harrowing read!
 Enemy at the Gates October 28, 2005
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
Enemy at the Gates is an excellent movie. It is far from an action movie - more like a drama with guns, an awesome sniper movie. Never before have I seen into the mind of a sniper in a movie as in depth as I did in this movie. The beginning of the movie (going into war) was more shocking to me than the opening of Saving Private Ryan. Two thumbs up to Rachel Weisz and Jude Law!
Great pick October 13, 2005
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
Great pick for a movie, excelent quality, quick delivery.
I will buy here again!!
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