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 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 128 Ratings

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7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 128 Ratings

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Enemy At The Gates

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: March 16, 2001 | R

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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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

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

Peter Travers

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

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.

Richard Corliss

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

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

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

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 5 users found this helpful14

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 6 users found this helpful24

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 5 users found this helpful23

Seriosity

Nov 14, 2012

The unnecessary and platitudinous love story is a major drag, but there are more than enough suspenseful and thrilling scenes to keep the movie going smoothly.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Tyranian

Oct 15, 2019

This film has many screenplay issues but also good performances and some strong scenes.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

FilipeNeto

Feb 12, 2018

Movie war / drama / romance, all in one.

This film portrays the Battle of Stalingrad, considered by many the turning point of World War II, as it was the first crushing defeat of the Germans. The film focuses its history in Vassili Zeitzev, a soviet sniper who caused many headaches to theMovie war / drama / romance, all in one.

This film portrays the Battle of Stalingrad, considered by many the turning point of World War II, as it was the first crushing defeat of the Germans. The film focuses its history in Vassili Zeitzev, a soviet sniper who caused many headaches to the Nazis, killing his officers on the ground, something that was used by the communist propaganda machine to encourage the morale of Russian troops, worn by unstoppable advance of the Nazis. In this film, the story of Zeitzev intersects with Tania, a Russian girl who volunteered to help the forces defending Stalingrad, giving birth to a romantic plot that intersects the main one. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud (who also wrote the screenplay with Alain Godard), the film has Jude Law and Rachel Weisz in the lead roles and also features Joseph Fiennes in the role of a political commissar, Bob Hoskins, embodying the Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev, and Ed Harris in the role of a German professional sniper sent by Hitler to kill Vassili.

The wartime love is a theme that has made great films. One of the most notable was obviously "Casablanca". This film, however, takes place not only in wartime but in the midst of one of the most raw and bloody battles of the war, which makes it more interesting as it is not just a romance or a drama, nor a "conventional" war film. It's a bit of all three genres combined. The sound effects, soundtrack, visual effects, sets and costumes are noteworthy for their realism and attempt to portray the combat scenario. The actors were also very good, especially Ed Harris (who has got used to doing tough-guy roles) and Weisz (finally a movie without mummies and Egyptian stuff). Jude Law and Fiennes, together, deserve a special greeting as they were able to incorporate very well the emotional and psychological conflicts of his characters, two friends in love with the same girl.

As more negative marks, I point out the lack of "chemistry" between Weisz and Law, which should have been more crafted by two actors. Some dialogue required a greater commitment on the part of writers. Also I don't understand how Khrushchev was involved in that battle when, in reality, it was led by Georgi Zhukov. A good war movie, worth seeing because it will please both those looking for action as for those who enjoy a good drama.… Expand

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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42	#42 Most Discussed Movie of 2001
26	#26 Most Shared Movie of 2001