Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud is a movie following two Russian and German snipers playing a game of cat and mouse during the Battle of Stalingrad.

The story is of Vassili Zaitsev, once a young Shepard from Ural Mountains and now a soldier of the Red Army fighting in the battle of Stalingrad. Taught to snipe as a child from his grandfather, Vassili is now the most recognized and admired sniper of the red army, being idolized within army newsletters and papers making him a Hero of the battle all done by his friend Danilov. Later in war they both come to meet and become romantically interested in Tania, a citizen of Stalingrad who now holds the position of a Private in the local Militia. For protection and of jealousy, Danilov has her sent away to an intelligence group away from battle.

With threat against German powers in Stalingrad cause of Vassili, Major Erwin König is sent out to take out Vassili and lower the moral of the Red Army. Now in a dangerous game of cat and mouse while trying to survive the already complicated obstacles of war, Vassili and Erwin are on a search and destroy mission for one another.

Time Period:

The plot of this movie takes place during the Battle of Stalingrad, which occurred during World War II, between 23 August 1942 and 2 February 1943. It was a battle of Nazi German and the Allies for control of the city of Stalingrad. A devastating battle known to be one of the longest and having the most bloodshed of civilians and military, amounting to nearly 2 million deaths. Germany planned to take control of the city in the late summer of 1942 with intensive bombing use bringing more than half the city to a rubble.

The Red Army then began their counter attack of Operation Uranus; a two-pronged attack that focused on inferior Romanian and Italian forces.

Then in early February, 1943, German resistance in Stalingrad ceased and the remaining groups either surrendered or where destroyed.

Accuracy:

The elements of war within the film are very accurate. The setting of the city being rubble is far from over exaggerated. The civilian presence is strong within the film as it was during the war, and the emotional depression and growth of the Red Army was strongly represented. The Red Army struggled with low spirits, at times Germany would have control of 90% of the city and there seemed to be no hope for the allies, this struggle was made clear within the movie, the pains of the soldiers not only as soldiers, but the pains of that specific battle where clear. The focus on civilians was strong and accurate as well. Having the obstacle of trying to continue with their lives during battle.

Though the elements of war are pretty accurate, the story itself of Vassili vs Erwin König was not. Zaitsev (Vassili) was an actual person, but his battle against Erwin dramatized within the movie was not. There was a duel between Snipers that included Zaitsev, but it was not with a German in such power as was Erwin König in the movie. It lasted only a few days and once the dog tags where collected by Zaitsev, it was only the head of a Berlin Sniper School.

Though the characters can be found to be based from historical figures from war, it is said to be highly unlikely that they had ever contacted or interacted with each other.

Recommendation: Though the story itself may be fictional, it is still a strong tale of bonds, friendship, love and human growth in the times of struggles of war. Seeing the lives of people grow within the devastation of war, keeping true to the elements that still make us human, comes together to bring a moving and touching story lost within the destruction of war. This movie receives a high recommendation from me and I can assure all that view it will enjoy.