Suspenseful & Gritty

Rating: 8/10 (3 September 2001)

Well. What can I say that has not already been said? I really enjoyed the film. I have to disagree with people that say the love story detracted from the overall quality of the film. Human life is not as simple as one emotion or action at a time. There is a constant barrage of things going on..much less in the minute to minute existence of the Russian soldiers. Ed Harris is quietly superb, as we expect, and Jude Law plays a range of emotions, from enthusiastic early on, to old beyond his years later in the film. The accents may not have been authentic, but this did not bother me either. It's much better than hearing BAD German and Russian spoken throughout.
All in all, the cat and mouse game between Harris and Law WILL keep you on the edge of your seat. The audio in this film is simply amazing, and the cinematography puts you in the muddy, rubble strewn, bleak landscapes of 1942 vintage Stalingrad in ruins. Not for the short attention-span set, but that's a good thing. Films are supposed to make you think. Hollywood take note, we LIKE to think.

Highly recommended.