May 10, 2001 05:17 PM
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Heroes do not choose their destiny , Destiny chooses them to be one.
It is the autumn of 1942 and the inexorable march of the Third Reich continues into the Eastern Europe.The German army is at the doorsteps of Russia and the historic town of Stalingrad stands between them and their further and final conquests.
The Battle of Stalingrad is perhaps one of the most critical turning points in the WW II and is the backdrop of a very intense and unique struggle between two men who could significanlty alter the course of history.
The protagonist is the simple shepherd boy from the URAL mountains and out in those mountains every hunter has just one chance to make the kill.
This very talented marksman , Vassilly Zaitsev an ordinary Russian army foot soldier (essayed by Jude Law) is by happenstance spotted by Russian propaganda officer Danilov (Joseph Fiennes ) during the battle. The morale of the Russian army is at an all time low with the German blitzkrieg. The determined Russian general in 1942 is none another than the man who would later on go on to rule Soviet Union during the height of the Cold war, Nikita Kruschev (Bob Hoskins). He will at no cost give up the city of Stailingrad which will open the floodgates for the Germans to the oil fields and then on to Central Asia .
The young propaganda officer impresses upon the general the need to craete larger than life personas to motivate the soldiers and to to keep them going. The first unlikely hero chosen is Vassilly and his remarkable shooting skills. He is enrolled into the sniper division.
What ensues is the German response to this move in the form of his opponent Major Koenig (Ed Harris ,great casting of here )of the German Army sent with the specific assignment of destroying Vasilly.
The movie then captures in a very enthralling manner the struggle for survival between these two men as they stalk each other till the last man standing.... As a subplot is the love and jealousy of Vassilly and Danilov for the same woman Tania (Rachel Weisz)which creates friction between the two men leading to a fallout.
Watch this movie for a very interesting portrayal of the human emotions and struggles which are even more threatening at times than the guns...
It is a true story and the heroism of some of these men will touch our hearts always...
