- Enemy at the Gates

Enemy at the Gates is a motion picture directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and released in 2001, adapted from the David L. Robbins book called The War of the Rats.


Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud
Produced by Jean-Jacques Annaud, John D. Schofield
Written by Jean-Jacques AnnaudAlain Godard
Starring Jude Law, Ed Harris, Rachel Weisz, Joseph Fiennes
Music by James Horner
Distributed byParamount Pictures

Robbins borrowed elements from William Craig's novel Enemy at the Gates: The Battle for Stalingrad which describe the events surrounding during the Battle of Stalingrad, 1942-1943. The movie follows Soviet sniper Vasily Grigoryevich Zaitsev and his German rival, Major Erwin König, as they stalk each other during the Battle of Stalingrad.
Historian Anthony Beevor suggests in his book, Stalingrad, that, while Zaitsev was definitely a real person, the story of his duel (dramatized in the film) with König is fictional. William Craig's novel Enemy at the Gates: The Battle for Stalingrad however, states that although Zaitsev and König fought against each other in combat, the sequence of events in the film is almost entirely fictional.









Synopsis
Stalingrad, 1942. The German invasion of Russia has reached the city of Stalingrad, reducing the city to rubble as the Soviet and Nazi armies battle for the fate of Russia. Vasily Zaitsev (Jude Law), a not very educated peasant from the Urals conscripted into the Red Army, manages to survive both a suicidal charge without a weapon into the front lines of the German attack and the NKVD death squads at the rear waiting to machine gun anyone who attempts to retreat. Acquiring a rifle, Zaitsev - an expert marksman - manages to kill five German officers in a row with the only 5 bullets he has, impressing a witnessing political officer, Danilov (Joseph Fiennes). Writing an account of Zaitsev's achievement in the military newspaper, Danilov manages to inspire the broken, morale-sapped people of the Soviet Union to renew their efforts against the German invaders, and Zaitsev becomes a national hero and propaganda icon.
The friendship between the two men is to be tested, however, as both have fallen in love with Tanya (Rachel Weisz), a Jewish citizen of the city who, inspired by Zaitsev, has joined the sniper division. Fearing the Soviet snipers and the demoralising effect they are having on their own men, the Germans have sent for Major Erwin König (Ed Harris), the best sniper in the German military, to seek out and eliminate Zaitsev.
From Wikipedia

The Young Lions (1958)

The Young Lions was a novel by Irwin Shaw and a 1958 film based upon the book starring Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, and Dean Martin.

Directed by Edward Dmytryk
Produced by Al Lichtman
Written by Edward Anhalt
Starring Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, Dean Martin, Hope Lange, May Britt, Maximilian Schell
Music byHugo Friedhofer
Cinematography Joseph MacDonald
Distributed by Twentieth Century-Fox
Release date(s)1958
Running time: 167 min.

Set during World War II, the story involves a Nazi (Brando) and two friends in the U.S. Army (Clift and Martin).

The film, a smashing box-office success, was the key to Martin's huge comeback in the wake of his split with partner Jerry Lewis. Tony Randall originally had Martin's role but talent agency MCA insisted that Martin replace Randall, since with Martin they'd have a quadruple threat: night clubs, recordings, television, and movies.


The agency understood that whoever played Randall's role of Michael Whiteacre opposite Brando and Clift, the 1950s' two most intriguing movie actors, would be in a completely different position from that time forward, and they were right.

This was the only movie that Brando and Clift made together. It was produced by Al Lichtman and was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Film in 1959.

Der Untergang (Downfall - 2004)

Downfall (German: Der Untergang) is a 2004 German film depicting the final days of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany in 1945. The movie was written by Bernd Eichinger and directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. The film is based on the book Inside Hitler's Bunker by historian Joachim Fest about Hitler's final days, pieces of Albert Speer's memoirs, and the memoirs of Traudl Junge, secretary of Adolf Hitler; in addition, it loosely conveys events described in the memoirs of Siegfried Knappe. Downfall is set almost entirely in the bunker.


It is the last days of World War II, and the Red Army is fighting its way into Berlin. Deep within the Führerbunker underneath the Reich Chancellery, Adolf Hitler lives out his last birthday and his final ten days isolated from the world, desperately ordering counterattacks that will never happen. Played by Swiss actor Bruno Ganz, Hitler is presented as he was in the last months of World War II: a sick, exhausted man both dreaming still of a Greater Germany amid the ruins of war-ravaged Berlin and callously ranting against the 'weakness' and deserved destruction of the German citizenry. As the Red Army draws nearer and imminent defeat looms over the Third Reich Hitler is seen alone with his clique which consists of Joseph Goebbels (Ulrich Matthes), Albert Speer (Heino Ferch) and (briefly) SS leader Heinrich Himmler (Ulrich Noethen), along with his personal staff.
Most of the events are depicted from the perspective of Hitler's young personal secretary Traudl Junge (Alexandra Maria Lara). Events outside Hitler's bunker are mostly depicted from the perspective of SS doctor Ernst-Günther Schenck (Christian Berkel). On the day before his death Hitler marries his longtime mistress Eva Braun (Juliane Köhler) and they commit suicide together on April 30, 1945; ten days after Hitler's 56th birthday.

The film begins with a clip from a video interview with the real-life Traudl Junge, who wonders why she decided to work for Adolf Hitler and states her anger at her younger self for not realizing what kind of a monster she was dealing with. Then, the scene is set back to 1942, in Rastenburg, East Prussia, where Miss Traudl Humps and four other applicants vie for the position of secretary to Hitler. They are greeted by Hitler's valet, Heinz Linge, and later by Hitler himself. Upon hearing Traudl comes from Munich, Hitler takes an immediate liking to her and asks her to take dictation as a demonstration of her abilities. Hitler is portrayed as a kind, fatherly employer who loves his dog and overlooks Humps' nervous errors, and she is hired.

The movie flashes forward to Hitler's 56th birthday on April 20, 1945. Traudl Humps — by now Frau Traudl Junge — is living in the Führerbunker with Gerda Christian and Constanze Manziarly, another secretary and private cook, respectively, for Hitler. Artillery fire wakes the trio, and Generals Wilhelm Burgdorf and Karl Koller explain the Soviets are only 12 kilometres from the city center. Hitler is now depicted as visibly aged, shaking, and in poor humour.

Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler
Hitler's birthday reception introduces the characters of Heinrich Himmler and his adjutant Hermann Fegelein, as well as Party Leader Martin Bormann and Walther Hewel of the foreign ministry. Hitler's intention to stay in the city is revealed, as is Fegelein's intention to leave if possible. Hewel and Himmler urge Hitler to try a diplomatic solution, which Hitler rejects out of hand. Two scenes later, Albert Speer arrives, and is introduced alongside Eva Braun; both reject Fegelein's advice to decamp to Bavaria. Speer advises Hitler to "be on the stage when the curtain falls." Eva's character is revealed by the remark "He is the Führer," in other words, he knows what is best.

Cross of Iron (1977)

Cross of Iron is a 1977 drama war film directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring James Coburn, James Mason, Maximilian Schell, and David Warner.
Directed by Sam Peckinpah
Produced by Wolf C. HartwigArlene SellersAlex Winitsky
Written byNovel:Willi HeinrichScreenplay:Julius J. EpsteinJames HamiltonWalter Kelley
Starring: James CoburnMaximilian SchellJames MasonDavid WarnerSlavko ŠtimacSenta Berger



As with most of Peckinpah's films, the on-screen action includes a substantial amount of very realistic combat utilizing his characteristic slow motion gunshot scenes.
Set in 1943 on the Eastern Front of World War II, the story revolves around the conflict between a newly-arrived, aristocratic officer who covets the Iron Cross and a cynical, battle-hardened platoon leader in a Wehrmacht regiment during the German retreat from the Taman Peninsula in the Crimea.
The movie was based on the book The Willing Flesh, written by Willi Heinrich and published in 1956. The book may be loosely based on the true story of Johann Schwerdfeger. More recent printings of the book have been titled Cross of Iron to tie in with the film. There are several major differences between the book and film versions.


The movie tells the story of a platoon of German soldiers fighting in the Kuban bridgehead, on the WWII Eastern Front in 1943, led by Corporal Steiner (James Coburn). At the beginning of the movie, footage of Hitler, Hitler Youth boys and Stalingrad are shown with the German children's song Hänschen klein in the background.
While the platoon is on a reconnaissance mission, in which the platoon captures a young Russian boy soldier, a new officer, Captain Stransky (Maximilian Schell) arrives at their base. Showing his cold-bloodedness, Stransky orders that a German field order requiring the German soldiers to take no prisoners is carried out by shooting the boy. When Steiner refuses Stransky readies himself to perform the act himself but at the last minute the boy si saved by Schnurrbart. In a conversation with the base commander, Colonel Brandt (James Mason) and his
adjutant, Captain Kiesel a less than enthusiastic man sick of the war, Stransky claims that he applied for transfer from occupied France to frontline duty in Russia so he can win the Iron Cross, a bravery medal and the movie's namesake, surprising the other officers for his naïveté.



Stransky is then introduced to the experienced and battle-weary Steiner upon his return. Steiner is a myth within his German comrades, highly regarded and decorated despite his rather comptemptuous attitude.
During a Soviet attack to their base, newly-promoted Sergeant Steiner is wounded and a certain Leutnant Meyer (Igor Gallo) is killed while leading the defense. The young boy soldier is also killed by his own sie as Steiner tries to release him. Steiner is sent to a military hospital, where he is haunted by the faces of the dead men and the boy, to recover and has a romantic liaison with a nurse (Senta Berger). Upon returning, he is informed that Stransky, who had not participated in the combat, is claiming to have led the base defense and therefore entitled himself to receive the Iron Cross. He named his aide, Leutnant Triebig (whom he blackmails due to his homossexuality) and Steiner as witnesses. Stransky hopes to persuade Steiner to corroborate his claim, by promising to financially aid him after the war.
Brandt summons Steiner and question him about Stransky's allegations. Brandt hoped that Steiner would expose Stransky lies, but he does not cooperate. When questioned why, he states that he hates all officers, even if "enlightned" as Brandt and Kiesel, and asks a few days to give his answer.
When his company is ordered to retreat, Stransky does not pass the order to Steiner's unit, effectively abandoning him behind Soviet lines. Steiner and his men set off towards the German lines, fighting their way through the Soviets. They manage to escape and reach the German lines, setting a password by radio so he can cross no man's land.
Stransky learns about Steiner's return and orders Triebig to have him killed. Triebig orders Steiner's unit to be shot while approaching the German trenches, but fails in killing Steiner himself. The Sergeant kills Triebig and looks for Stransky. At this moment the Soviets launch an assault on the German positions.
Steiner finds Stransky and confronts him. Instead of shooting him, he invites the officer to fight alongside him and prove his alleged valour.
The movie closes with a reprise of Hänschen klein and Steiner laughing hysterically as Stransky reveals his military inadequacies in battle. The closing credits include a slide show of civilian war victims, and a final quote by Berthold Brecht from his play The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui.
From Wikipedia

Stalingrad (1993)

Stalingrad - Germany -1993

Stalingrad is a 1993 film by Joseph Vilsmaier, similar to Apocalypse Now and Platoon in its approach to depicting the horrors of war in a realistic and unromanticized fashion.
The movie follows a platoon of German Heer soldiers as they are transferred from Italy and their recent experiences in North Africa, to Russia and ultimately find themselves unwilling participants in the Battle of Stalingrad.
The film was shot in several different locations, including Finland, Italy, and the Czech Republic. It was released in the U.S. in 1995.







Directed byJoseph Vilsmaier

Writing credits: Jürgen Büscher, Johannes Heide
Starring: Dominique Horwitz - Thomas Kretschmann - Jochen Nickel - Sebastian Rudolph - Dana Vávrová

A depiction of the brutal battle of Stalingrad, the Third Reich's 'high water mark', as seen through the eyes of German officer Hans von Witzland and his battalion.

The film begins with a group of German assault engineers enjoying leave in Italy after returning from combat employment in North Africa. The three main characters are introduced at a medal ceremony: Leutnant von Witzland, the inexperienced and idealistic platoon leader; Unteroffizier "Rollo" Rohleder, who is refused his medal when he arrives on parade with an unbuttoned tunic collar, and Obergefreiter "Fritzi" Reiser, whose tendency to direct talk is made evident. As the parade ends, the group is advised they have been ordered to the Eastern Front.
A scene unique to films about the German military follows; a German Army chaplain holds a field service, at which two more characters are introduced; veteran Feldwebel Pfluger who has served at Voronezh, and Hauptmann Musk, another veteran who has lost an arm and who claims to have "absolutely no luck with my right side".
The scenes in the city attempt to capture the nature of combat in Stalingrad. In one scene, Lieutenant von Witzland's men are trapped in a building surrounded by Russians, yet neither side dares make the first move to attack. The stalemate goes on with bodies and the wounded lying in the streets. In an attempt to rescue the wounded and count the dead, the Germans propose a ceasefire between the two sides and to send out some unarmed men. Tension is high. After collecting dog tags from the dead, a Russian soldier pilfers some meat from a dead man. At the same time, a German soldier produces some bread and they decide to share their prized possessions. But this moment of peace does not last long, as a shot rings out, and battle is rejoined. Similar scenes were described in William Craig's book Enemy at the Gates and other books detailing the real life battle.
After a tract of combat scenes, the idealism of the men fades by the time Schütze Emigholz loses a leg and dies while waiting for medical treatment. When the three main characters try to use force to get preferential treatment, they are sent to a Punishment Battalion. Here they meet "Otto", a former officer who served with Hauptmann Musk at Brest-Litovsk. He advises his new friends to tell their families they've died; he's been home and found his wife was a complete stranger to him.
The three main characters are given a chance for reinstatement when volunteers are mustered for a defensive action; the Russians have shattered the Romanian units on the flanks of the German 6th Army and the cut off Army must fight off overwhelming numbers. A detailed sequence showing a Soviet tank infantry attack on prepared positions is shown, and the heroes of the piece earn the right to return to their unit. They are reinstated and given an unsavoury mission - taking part in an execution squad to carry out sentence on alleged civilian "saboteurs".
After the executions even von Witzland - son of a distinguished German officer - announces he no longer feels bound by his soldier's oath. An attempt by three men to escape by faking injuries and boarding a medical flight is unsuccessful, and they are left stranded as the last German transport plane to leave Stalingrad takes off.
Brief respite comes from an airdrop, and an increasing number of unlikely coincidences involving characters from earlier in the film leads the main characters finding salvation in an abandoned warehouse. The characters die off in the last minutes of the film through suicide, succumbing to injuries, and freezing in the snow.

Das Boot (The Boat - 1981 )

Das Boot - The Boat
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen
Produced by Günter Rohrbach
Written by Wolfgang Petersen (screenplay)Lothar-Günther Buchheim (novel)
Starring Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer
Music by Klaus Doldinger
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
September 17, 1981 (West Germany)
Running time: 216 Min (long cut) - 293 Min (Uncut Version)- USA330 Min (Full Length Version)
Language: German


Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, adapted from a novel of the same name by Lothar-Günther Buchheim.


The movie is the story of a single mission of one U-boat, U-96, and its crew. It depicts both the excitement of battle and the tedium of the fruitless hunt, and shows the men serving aboard U-boats as ordinary individuals with a desire to do their best for their comrades and their country. The story is based on an amalgamation of the exploits of the real U-96, a Type VIIC-class U-boat commanded by Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock, one of Germany's top U-boat "tonnage aces" during the war.
Hans-Joachim Krug, former first officer on U-219, served as a consultant, as did Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock, the actual captain of the real U-96.

The movie has a strong anti-war message. One of Petersen's stated goals was to guide the audience through a "journey into madness," showing "what war is all about." Petersen heightened suspense by very rarely showing any external views of the submarine unless it is running on the surface and relying on sounds to convey action outside the boat, thus showing the audience only the claustrophobic interior the crew would see.

The original 1981 version cost DM 30 million[1] (US$40 million in 1997 dollars) to make; it was at the time the most expensive film in the history of German cinema. The director's meticulous attention to detail resulted in an extremely realistic and historically accurate movie.

Reception

Strife occurs among the crew.
The movie drew high critical acclaim and is seen as one of the greatest of all German films, along with Nosferatu by F.W. Murnau, Metropolis by Fritz Lang and Der blaue Engel with Marlene Dietrich. It is regarded as significant among the subgenre of submarine movies.