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
DanTheMan 2
An exercise in the brutality within the bloody ruins of Stalingrad, Enemy at the Gates is a taut and highly atmospheric game of cat and mouse between Major König and legendary sniper, Vasily Zaitsev. Gripping from the get-go with its barbaric depiction of its opposing armies coming to blows, with not one step back, Director Jean-Jacques Annaud delivers a film that simultaneously has you squirming in your seat and right on the edge. The handheld and sweeping camera motions only help to heighten the sense of fear and scale Stalingrad itself possess, with James Horner's hauntingly unnerving and beautiful score to compliment it. All this with the addition of a great cast consisting of Jude Law, Ed Harris, Bob Hoskins and a criminally underused Ron Perlman, Enemy at the Gates is a top-notch depiction of sniper warfare and the power of propaganda. You just have to forgive a few historical inaccuracies, British-speaking Soviets, American-speaking Nazis and the pointless addition of a Hollywood love triangle that really drag the picture down.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
08/08/23
Full Review
Jacob S
Amazing movie glad I watched it. The pacing and script is wonderful.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
07/24/23
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