In the autumn of 1942, Europe lies crushed beneath the Nazi jackboot. The German Third Reich is at the height of its power. Hitler’s Armies are charging through the heart of the Soviet Union towards the oil fields of Asia. One last obstacle remains, a city on the Volga, where the fate of the world is being decided – Stalingrad.

In the opening of Enemy at the Gates, the boats land on the shores of the Volga River and the soldiers disembark in full assault mode, they are ordered to charge the Germans and when half are killed and the others turned back, they are fired on as cowards or traitors by their own officers.

One of the Russians stands out. His name is Vassili, he is a shepherd from the Urals, whose marksmanship was learned by killing wolves that preyed on his flock. In the heat of battle, he kills five Germans, and is noticed by Danilov, the political officer (propaganda officer) assigned to his unit in sniper division. Danilov, which impressed by the vassilis quick skills and decides to glorify him through the local press. Zaitsev is locked in a battle of wills and marksmanship because he becomes a political icon for the locals, giving them encouragement and increasing their hope for victory. Danilov prints a leaflet praising the heroic shepherd boy.

The Danilov leaflet:

On this day, September 20th 1942, a young shepherd boy from the Urals arrived in the city of Stalingrad on the banks of the Volga. His name is Vassili Zaitzev. Like thousands before him he came to answer comrade Stalin’s call. Armed only with a rifle, he quickly made the fascist invader realize that from now on he would be punished for every step he took in the motherland that from here on the only way was back.

However, the Germans have an ace sniper of their own in Major Erwin Konig, a seasoned and out-spoken Major who comes to Stalingrad only to pick off Vassili. And before Konig leaves, his superior officer asks how he will find Vassili. Konig says, “I’ll fix it so he finds me”. And then the two men playing a cat and mouse game in the ruins of Stalingrad (Vassili and Konig). The Nazi is sure he is the cat and the Russian he may be the mouse. The heart of the movie is the duel between them. After the long game between them, Danilov feel guilty because he makes up vassili as heroes. Danilov said:

I’ve been such a fool, Vassili. Man will always be a 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.

And to make vassili killed the major first, Danilov show his head and major konig killed him. A long while vassili wait for the major to out from his hideout, and “bang”. vassili killed konig.

From this story, most of the characters in the film are based on real people and a battle between two nations became a conflict between two men. I realize too that a single bullet can change history and a hero never chooses his destiny. His destiny chooses him.

No related posts were found, so here's a consolation prize: Juvenile Punishment.