An exciting if slightly flawed WWII Thriller. Spoilers Involved.

Rating: Null/10 (16 August 2001)

Enemy at the Gates proves to be one of the most exciting war films I have ever seen for the fact that it dosen't really focus on the battle of two armies, but of two men who hunt each other down in the bombed out ruins of Stalingrad. The cast throughout is excellent with special mention two the duelists Jude Law, and the great Ed Harris( who was robbed of an award for his performance in Pollock). James Horner provides a rich musical score while William Frassie photographs what I think should be some of the most beautiful images captured on film this year. Also mention should go to Wolf Kroeger who provides a stunning backdrop for the story with his great production design. One of the most amazing things about the movie to me was the fact thats it's focus was centered on the Russians vs. the Germans, something that we rarely see coming from an American film with this caliber of talent involved. But then again its the story of the sniper duel that maintains the focus, and thats where the bulk of the entertainment lies since most other aspects of the battle seem to be a moot point for the filmmakers which also brings the production down a little for major plot point of the film.
Director Annaud tightly raps the audiences attention on the duel ingenuiously heightening the suppense at all the right moments. Of note is a point of film where hiding Russian snipers have blindly walked into the first trap set by German sniper Konning. The trap may be escaped, but time is running out for a flight of bombers have just started a bombing run that appears to be headed straight for them. Another good point leaves Russian sniper Zaitsev stranded in open ground hiding behind a stove, all the while his image is reflected on shards of broken glass for the German sniper to see. Its all very exciting for the film and unfortunately very fictional as I found out after reading William Craig's book. Throughout director Annaud and Goddard make use of several historical facts from the book that are used as mere details. Two details in particular hurt the film. One is the afformentioned romantic triangle. There was romance between Vassili and Tania in real life that could have easily been fitted in the film but the inclusion of Danilov whom also falls in love with Tania is a mistake. It drags part of the story down and feels contrived especially since according to the book he was only a witness to the duel.
Another problem, which was a major one for me was the execution of the boy, Sascha by Major. Koning. As described in Craig's novel, Sascha was a fifteen year old cobbler who was hanged in front of his parents for spying upon the Germans. This is something I find serious not to be toyed with lightly. In the film however it comes near the end that Koning uses the boy then hangs him to draw Vassili out into the open, when he discovers the boy trying to alert Vassili of the Germans plan. This doesn't seem right to me. It also hurts the character of Major Koning who throughout the film seems a noble assassin sent to a task that must be done. After he kills the boy he becomes a monster. It just dosen't fit in with the whole of the movie. Still it is an exciting thriller that should not be missed by war movie fans or for that matter suspense thriller fans. Just don't count on it as a good record of the history of one of the most bloody battles of WWII.