Russians loved it!

Rating: 10/10 (6 April 2001)

I didn't know that movie was coming. So when I just saw Jude Law interview and movie shots from "Enemy of the Gates" - I wanted to see it desperately as I like war dramas, actors involved - Jude was great in "Talented Mr. Ripley", when I found out that Rachel Weisz was also there - that was just WOW! And well, I'm Russian. How could I miss that one? Luckily it was in Russian movie theaters at the beginning of April. Beginning of the movie, introduction of the characters was great. Jude looked as believable Russian soldier. Rachel Weisz was incredible, I can't stop admiring her beauty, and yes - she looked very Russian as well. As it was said here, finally there was given some credit to Russians for beating fascism. The movie is superb. It's romance, suspense, war drama. You care a lot about characters. The plot got some nice twists and wasn't banal for a minute. Love scene was amazing. The acting is great, Jude and Rachel were awesome. Hoskins, Pearlman did a great job. About Vassily Zaitsev - I'm 20 and many people of my age don't know him here in Russia. So he is not that well-known hero now, that movie will remind of him and other millions sacrificing their lives, struggling for future of their wives and children, not comrade Stalin. The truth about NKVD and penal battalions was never revealed during Soviet regime, it was not in any history books until USSR collapse. That was never showed in war dramas of Soviet period. It was interesting to see the historical moments live with the help of sound and visual effects. I can tell that there were no laughs about portraying Russians by Americans in this movie like it was in Armageddon, etc. I read a lot here about British accent, but I watched it dubbed in Russian. It was good. I'll check later on DVD how was the original dialogue. The spelling in letters seemed to be correct (comparing to other movies like Virus, Saint, etc. - I can't stop wondering why American movie makers can't hire some immigrants who talk and spell Russian, but no - they literally translate some stuff which sounds so stupid, and yes - fake Russian sounds funny for us). It would be interesting to find out impressions of Soviet veterans about the movie. People applauded when Hoskins introduced himself as Krushchev, he acted great. By the way he played communist leader Beria already in some movie about Stalin regime few years ago. At the end just want to say that many friends of mine loved the movie and acclaimed it as superb.