An authentic view on the horrors of the most tragic and meaningful battle of World War 2 - just like "Das Boot" this is a masterpiece which could never come out of Hollywood.

Rating: 10/10 (8 May 2010)

Stalingrad is a jewel among the war movies as it manages to portrait the highly dramatic events in the decisive battle of the second World War in a credible way and without any Hollywood-style heroism or pathos. And this primarily from a German perspective, which unfortunately is a rarity.
The plot follows the actions and events of a platoon of war proved "Sturmpioniere", an elite Wehrmacht unit similar to Army Rangers. But unlike shown in weekly propaganda news films, the German soldiers are neither depicted as heroes nor as Nazis, but simply as fathers, abandoned husbands and football fans, which share one common will: to somehow survive and return home.
This movie may not be taken light hearted as there is a lot of fighting and dieing and the effects of weapons and ammunition are presented in a rather impressive and authentic way. Yet Stalingrad is not about the battle action but about feeling the madness of war and having empathy for the protagonists' small hopes of escaping the horrors of winter hell. A movies that goes deep under your skin, moving, gripping, thoughtful and making you angry. And, perhaps typically German: a happy ending can not exist.
Finally a big thank you to Mr. Vilsmaier for having the courage to realize this movie. And a request to EuroVideo: please bring this movie to the Blu Ray format in a worthy picture and sound quality!