Enemy at the Gates

Jean-Jaques Annaud followed SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET with the jaw-dropping fictional look at the battle for Stalingrad and the results are truly amazing. Jude Law has booked some fine work in his time but nowhere will you find him more dramatic than here. His portrayal of the Russian sniper Vassili Zaitsev is simply amazing and I am still quite shocked he didn`t receive an Oscar nomination for his work here. Ed Harris and Bob Hoskins are great as always and it`s wonderful to see Ron Perlman in a role not requiring a ton of makeup. Still, the real treat here is Rachel Weisz as Tania Chernova, she lends just the right air of sensuality and toughness to the character that it required making the presentation just that much more believable. As for believing, the one on one battle Vassili and Major Konig is believe to have never happened though rumors of it did circulate and the reunion between Vassili and Tania never took place with the reality being she never found out he was still alive until he had married. These small things aside ENEMY AT THE GATES is one taut little war thriller with action and visuals to more than satisfy the discerning viewer. A definate must-see!