August 1, 2001
By Celeste Warren

Enemy at the Gates is the most horrific and brilliant war movie shown to date. Forget Saving Private Ryan - let Europe show you how the war really was!

The friendship between Fiennes and Law was portrayed brilliantly. I couldn't help but be moved by Vassili - all too human and real - fighting two wars - one against the Nazi's and the other against the impossible propaganda and hero worship of this all too human young boy.

Fiennes played brilliantly as Danilov - you couldn't help but be moved by him, feel cheated by him, distrust him, fall for his vulnerability, move in and out of wariness of his character to finally morning his loss when he gave his great sacrifice to his friend - his moment of character redemption.

The love story didn't hamper the film but played real - although Rachel seemed too 'just right' even in squaler.

The different accents meant nothing in the long run. Better that than a whole boiling pot of varying Russian / German accents.

The only downfall of this brilliant film is the final scene. When the final battle between Vassili and Konig is played and Vassili places the marksman's rifle in Danilov's hands and looks to the sky releasing his pain - this was a perfect ending to a perfect film - but our American audiences like things tied with a neat bow and two lovers are reunited in the final scenes. Reality versus reality check. The only downfall in the film. I really thought it had ended there and was enthralled - then let down just by the final scene. It seems it was made to end there and then the last scene was tacked on - two endings in one film.

9.5 STARS. AND EACH STAR OF THE FILM GETS 10/10.