Best WWII Movie I've Seen

Rating: 10/10 (5 August 2001)

Read the title of the review, and let me tell you something, I've seen a lot. I remember when Saving Private Ryan came out I went in excited, and came out bored out of my mind and half asleep. For this movie on the other hand, I expected some good battle scenes (this prejudice of war films had been given to me by Saving Private Ryan) but the rest would probably be s***. I was wrong, while it would have been better without the love interest, it was good. Solid performances, especially Jude Law and Ed Harris, some of the most beautiful cinematography I've ever seen (kudos to Robert Fraisse the DP), and a nice story line to boot. I wouldn't be surprised if this film gets a couple Oscar nods (especially cinematography), but then again I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't get any (except cinematography). There were high points and low points, but the high ones dwarfed the lows. A great film that pays tribute to one of the greatest heroes of WWII (Vassily Zeitsev).
8/10
P.S. Some history sources actually tell of a relationship between Zeitsev and Chernova. Others don't say a thing about it. I just thought I'd add that for the people who thought the love interest was thrown in by Hollywood.