Duell - Enemy At the Gates

Summary

Enemy at the Gates

While the German and Russian armies hurl rank after rank of soldiers at each other and the world fearfully awaits the outcome of the battle of Stalingrad, the celebrated Russian sniper, Vassili Zaitsev quietly stalks his enemies one man at a time. His fame, however, soon thrusts him into a duel with Germany′s best sharpshooter, Major Konig, and the two find themselves waging an intense personal war while the most momentous battle of the age rages around them. Unassuming and self-contained, Vassili is just an ordinary man who performs his duty with extraordinary skill. 

Realizing his value, Danilov, a Soviet political officer, builds Vassili into a much-needed national hero. After a string of defeats to the Germans, the Soviet Union is on the verge of collapse, and the loss of Stalingrad could ensure final victory for the Germans in Europe. Kruschev himself has been sent by Stalin to oversee the city′s defense. Vassili′s fierce example boosts the defenders′ will to go on fighting despite the overwhelming odds. Danilov, however, soon becomes jealous of the man he created, when, in the midst of war, they both fall in love with Tania, one of the many courageous women soldiers fighting alongside the men.

The Germans send Major Konig to track down and kill Vassili. With exquisite patience and skill, each man stalks the other, fighting his war of solitude while countless men are dying all around them in the rubble of Stalingrad.

Source: German films Service & Marketing GmbH