Destined to be a classic

Rating: Null/10 (14 April 2001)

Stalingrad, reduced to a "Mad Max" landscape, is the background for a film which does far more than simply prove that "War is Hell." Not since "Red Badge of Courage" have we had such sympathy for the plight of the foot soldier, treated as a renewable resource by generals. A Russian country bumpkin (Law, Jude) with talented shooting skills is elevated to hero status (think "Sergeant York") by a publicity producing political officer (Fiennes, Joseph) and thus becomes a target for famed German sharpshooter (Harris, Ed). We see glimpses of a young Krushchev (Hoskins, Bob) and hear about the extermination of Russian Jews. But the real focus of the film is a search for purity of spirit. As in "Casablanca," the love triangle will pivot on which suitor is the most worthy. Self-sacrifice starts with the opening scene, as civilians vacate train cars to make way for soldiers headed to the front, and culminates with amazing clarity in the final scenes. It is destined to be a classic. Our great-grandchildren will know this film.