Enemy at the Gates

Enemy at the Gates is a 2001 war film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, starring Jude Law and Ed Harris set during the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II.

The film's title is taken from William Craig's 1973 nonfiction book Enemy at the Gates: The Battle for Stalingrad, which describes the events surrounding the Battle of Stalingrad from 1942 - 1943. It is based on a duel mentioned in the book that developed between Soviet sniper Vasily Zaytsev and his rival, Major Erwin König, as they stalk each other during the battle. The movie is also partially based on the book War of the Rats. The film was released under the title Stalingrad in continental Europe, although Enemy at the Gates is printed in smaller lettering underneath the main title on the box of the DVD release.

Vassili Zaitsev

• He doesn't know you exist, but at that moment you're closer to him than anyone else on earth. You see his face through the sign. You see whether he shaved or not. You can see whether he's married if he's got a wedding ring. It's not like firing at a distant shape. It's not just a uniform. It's a man's face. Those faces don't go away. They come back and they get replaced by more faces.

Danilov

• I've been such a fool, Vassili. Man will always be man. There is no new man. We tried so hard to create a society that was equal, where there'd be nothing to envy your neighbour. But there's always something to envy. A smile, a friendship, something you don't have and want to appropriate. In this world, even a Soviet one, there will always be rich and poor. Rich in gifts, poor in gifts. Rich in love, poor in love.

Dialogue

Red Army General : I carried out my orders. I sent in all of my boys. But the Germans engulfed us. They have, artillery, aircraft, tanks. And me! What did I have?!

Khrushchev: Sacred duty to resist! I have to report back to the boss. [hands him a pistol] Perhaps you'd prefer to avoid the red tape. [Khrushchev walks out of the room to address political officers. There is a gunshot, then he begins] My name, is Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev. I've come to takes things in hand here. This city, is not Kursk, nor is it Kiev, nor Minsk. This city, is Stalingrad. Stalin-grad! The city bears the name of the boss. It's more than a city, it's a symbol. If the Germans, capture this city, the entire country will collapse. Now, I want our boys, to raise their heads. I want them to act like they have BALLS! I want them to stop SHITTING THEIR PANTS! [briefly pauses] That's your job. As political officers, I'm counting on you. You, what's your suggestion?

Officer #1: Shoot all the other generals who have retreated. And their chiefs of staff, too.

Officer #2: M-make s-some examples. D-d-d-d-d-de-port the families, of the d-d-deserters.

Khrushchev: No, that's all been done.

Danilov: Give them hope! [Khrushchev walks over] Here the men's only choices is between German bullets and ours. But there's another way, a way of courage, a way of love of the Motherland. We must publish the army newspaper again. We must tell magnificent stories, stories that extoll sacrifice, bravery, courage. We must give them hope, pride, a desire to fight. We must make them believe in the victory. Yes, we need make examples, yes, but examples to follow. What we need, are heroes.

Khrushchev: [skeptical] Do you know any heroes around here?

Danilov: Yes, comrade. I know one.

---

[Vassili Zaitsev tries to write a letter to a a group of coal miners who wanted to dedicate their mine in his honor]

Vassili: Shouldn't we try and make the point that I'm not the only one fighting?

Danilov: [dictates thoughts for Vassili to write] That's an excellent idea. We can take it even further though. Your battle for the production of coal is as worthy as mine. There's no 'k' in coal. Just one 'l'. Tell me if I'm going too fast.

Vassili: No, you're not going too fast. Is there any other improvements?

Mrs Filipov: Why don't you get some rest? These letters can wait until tomorrow.

Vassili: We should carry on. We're not tired. Thank you, Mrs Filipov. These people took the trouble to write to us. Tomorrow we might not be around to write back.

Taglines

• Some men are born to be heroes.

• A single bullet can change history.

• A battle between two nations became a conflict between two men.

• A hero never chooses his destiny. Destiny chooses him.

Cast

Vasilli Zaitsev: Jude Law
Danilov: Joseph Fiennes
Tanya Chernova: Rachel Weisz
Nikita Krushchev: Bob Hoskins
Erwin Konig: Ed Harris
Koulikov: Ron Perlman
Mother Fillipov: Eva Mattes
Sacha Fillipov: Gabriel Marshall Thompson
General Paulus: Matthias Habich

External links

• Enemy at the Gates Official site
• Enemy at the Gates quotes at the Internet Movie Database