Enemy at the Gates

Name: Enemy at the Gates
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller, War
Released: March 16, 2001
Duration: 131 min
Rating: 53
Cast: Ed Harris, Joseph Fiennes, Jude Law

2001

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 33 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 107 Ratings

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 107 Ratings

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ENEMY AT THE GATES

Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: March 16, 2001

Starring: Ed Harris, Joseph Fiennes, Jude Law

Summary: While the Nazi and Russian armies hurl rank after rank of soldiers at each other and the world fearfully awaits the outcome of the battle of Stalingrad, the celebrated Russian sniper, Vassili Zaitsev (Law) quietly stalks his enemies one man at a time. His fame, however, soon thrusts him into a duel with the Nazi's best sharpshooter, MajorWhile the Nazi and Russian armies hurl rank after rank of soldiers at each other and the world fearfully awaits the outcome of the battle of Stalingrad, the celebrated Russian sniper, Vassili Zaitsev (Law) quietly stalks his enemies one man at a time. His fame, however, soon thrusts him into a duel with the Nazi's best sharpshooter, Major Konig (Harris), and the two find themselves waging an intense personal war while the most momentous battle of the age rages around them. (Paramount Pictures)… Expand

Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud

Genre(s): Drama, History, Thriller, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 131 min

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Awards & Rankings

58	#58 Most Discussed Movie of 2001
27	#27 Most Shared Movie of 2001

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Film.com - Gemma Files

Though issues of politics and philosophy are touched upon, this is a film about the people inside the uniforms -- a story of human beings under pressure, forced by circumstance to make choices both impulsive and, on occasion, heroic. It's also the new year's single most satisfying movie experience thus far. Read full review

Rolling Stone - Peter Travers

Any flaws in execution pale against those moments when the film brings history to vital life. Read full review

Chicago Tribune - Michael Wilmington

A physically gorgeous production with a strong, clear conflict at its center. It's grueling but also exhilarating. Perhaps its ambitiousness is the film's biggest problem. Trying for dramatic sensitivity, historical scope, touching romance and shocking violence and suspense, it gets stretched too thin.

Time - Richard Corliss

Law, sexy and crafty as ever, and here with a flinty innocence, proves again he has the star-quality goods.

Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan

Has little to occupy us once its battle scenes recede. One of those goofy movies where devil-may-care Russian soldiers unwind by playing the balalaika far into the night, it takes itself far more seriously than anyone else will be able to manage. Read full review

Village Voice - Amy Taubin

It does offer Annaud the opportunity to show his directorial muscle in elaborate battle scenes, where many bodies are torn apart and blood flows freely. Read full review

Wall Street Journal - Joe Morgenstern

Most of the prime goofiness is given over to Vassili and Konig sharpshooting at each other while the battle rages. The movie's a red elephant.

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User Reviews

Petrovita

Jul 30, 2012

A great WWII movie. Loads of action and splendid acting. If you love snipers and WWII, this is the movie for you. Some romance scenes in it aswell, well made movie.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

Alex6

Oct 16, 2010

An epic war based film filled with drama, action and gore. Holds historical accuracy and value, and the acting is floorless. The production team deserves bags of credit; great picture, and an even better soundtrack - jam packed with all the necessary micro-elements such as realistic soundAn epic war based film filled with drama, action and gore. Holds historical accuracy and value, and the acting is floorless. The production team deserves bags of credit; great picture, and an even better soundtrack - jam packed with all the necessary micro-elements such as realistic sound effects and compelling music.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

davenbettridge

Aug 2, 2011

I had an opportunity to watch Enemy at the Gate last night which I had never seen and found it to be an enjoyable war movie. It was bold and daring to create and an English film totally set in Russia and not to feature any Americans which does give the movie some originality from the bucketI had an opportunity to watch Enemy at the Gate last night which I had never seen and found it to be an enjoyable war movie. It was bold and daring to create and an English film totally set in Russia and not to feature any Americans which does give the movie some originality from the bucket loads of American hero themed WW2 movies out there. The gritty visual style, props, and costumes are also very impressive and believable. There are also some good war and battle scenes, some of which have gone on to influence popular shooter video games like Call of Duty. Some of the characters are interesting however the love story becomes silly and feels a little unsuited to the movie, I can see the intention to bring some warmth into the gloom and doom of depressing Russia but it didnt work. Some of the accents also feel out of place but the movies core strength is the cat and mouse hunting of its 2 leads which is entertaining and enjoyable. Not a perfect movie due to its silly mishandled love story but recommended.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

FilmQueen

Nov 19, 2015

A good war movie. I wasn't even annoyed by the love story, it seemed a pretty accurate portrayal of snipers, the sets were also all realistic. Sometimes it slows down a little, but there are enough ideas and twist to keep the viewer entertained.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

WriteFilmLive21

Dec 1, 2012

"Enemy at the Gates" is a decently engrossing, suspenseful war film centered around a historical duel that took place between a Russian and German sniper. Rachel Weisz is a nice surprise to see here, and adds some healthy romantic interest, and the rest of the lead cast puts forth good"Enemy at the Gates" is a decently engrossing, suspenseful war film centered around a historical duel that took place between a Russian and German sniper. Rachel Weisz is a nice surprise to see here, and adds some healthy romantic interest, and the rest of the lead cast puts forth good performances. The most interesting part of the movie is the story it's based on and the dueling scenes, beyond that you can expect some fairly standard war film fodder. Certainly not a bad movie by any means, so check it out if you're a war buff.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AbeMC

May 30, 2018

A bland, unconvincing WW2 adventure that tries hard to be a solemn portrait of struggle. Instead we are given a jumbled mess of an ambitious commissar, a home-town boy and the partisan fighter he falls in love with. Worth a watch for the tense, well-staged sniper duels, but little else.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

ErraticCommunist

Jan 11, 2008

Hands down the worst movie ever. It's absolutely ahistorical waste of time filled with anti-russian propaganda. Vasily Zaitsev most likely rolled over in his grave after this crap was released.

0 of 3 users found this helpful

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