The German point of view in a deadly struggle

Rating: 9/10 (6 February 2001)

The Battle of Stalingrad will always be known in Modern History , as the conflict that showed Germany the writing on the wall. The Eastern Front war of 1941-1945 was perhaps the most brutal war ever , in the field of arms and battle. Stalingrad and its aftermath left an indellible mark on both German and Russian psyche. The film was in no way a glorification of conflict and the actors and director showed great art in demonstrating the evil and tragedy that Stalingrad surely was in 1942-43. No punches were pulled on the death of soldiers , the scene where the German soldier is killed by a T34 shows that , only too well. The direction of the film , showed the political division between SS and Whermacht ,officers and soldiers alike.The SS were of course brutal and corrupt , but the director tried to display the "ordinary" soldier as brave and honourable...Im not suggesting that they were n't , but not having any experience of warfare of any kind , I can well imagine that war is and will always remain a brutalising experience...The Battle of Stalingrad more so. The film was and remains a German point of view in a deadly struggle and all-round was brilliant , except perhaps the ending. I think the director wasted his own , the actors and viewers time by using the last 3 soldiers valiant attempt at escape like he did. Stalingrad , a war film connosieurs definate recommendation.