Opened: March 16, 2001

Directed by: Jean-Jacques Annaud

Starring: Jude Law, Joseph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Bob Hoskins, Ed Harris, Ron Perlman, Eva Mattes, Gabriel Marshall-Thomson & Matthias Habich

While Jude Law gives a compelling performance, Enemy at the Gates strays far from historical accuracy and doesn’t know whether it wants to be a war or romance film.

At the height of World War II, German troops are trying to take over the Russian city of Stalingrad. With the help of Commissar Danilov (Joseph Fiennes), Vasily Zaitsev (Law) becomes a war hero the town can root for with his sniper abilities. Danilov and Vasily both fall for Tania Chernova (Rachel Weisz).

This could have been a strong war film if it had just focused on Vasily’s accomplishments, but the romance between Vasily and Tania alongside the jealousy of Danilov makes it melodramatic. Tania becomes a pawn between the men when in reality she was an accomplished sniper as well.

Final say: There’s not enough conviction for this war story. ★★☆☆☆