Enemy at The Gates

Enemy At The Gates is the story of the Russian sniper Vassili Zaitsev. Vassili Zaitsev was a real person and was acclaimed the greatest Russian sniper of World War II. Enemy At The Gates is a fact based movie that is of course glamorized for Hollywood. The movie does reveal to the viewer the hardships faced by the beleaguered defenders of Stalingrad during the German invasion of that city during World War II. It is a dramatic story containing a little for every taste. Vassili falls in love with a fellow defender of the city who is also loved by a man who becomes his best friend. His friend betrays him when he finds that the woman has chosen Vassili over him, but repents and helps Vassili in the end. This is a movie about not normal war, but guerrilla fighting, house to house and street to street. The Russian defenders find themselves short of food, ammunition and few safe havens are available to hide from the German invaders. This movie is a reflection of actual events and does not seek to glorify war but to convey the story of a normal boy who becomes a man during war and eventually, a hero to his countrymen. As in real life and real war, Vassili loses much that he holds dear but fights to save his homeland from the invader. For those of you who like the fast action of movies like First Blood, do not expect the same from this movie. To some, this movie might seem slow at times and the love story woven through it might seem distracting. But the intent is to paint Vassili as a real human being and to make the viewer aware of his character as more than just a soldier. Anyone who wants a taste of what war and the losses derived from it might be like, this movie is a stark example of those trying times. I do not believe it suitable for children and most teens would find it to realistic to enjoy it.Read full review