| Dominique Horwitz | Fritz Reiser |
| Thomas Kretschmann | Hans von Witzland |
| Jochen Nickel | Manfred "Rollo" Rohleder |
| Dana Vávrová | Irina |
| Martin Benrath | General Hentz |
| Sylvester Groth | Otto |
| Karel Hermanek | Hauptmann Husk |
| Sebastian Rudolph | |
| Jaroslav Tomsa | Opa Erwin |
| Petr Skarke | Soldat 1 |
| Heinz Emigholz | Edgar |
| Oliver Broumis | HGM |
| Cestmir Randa | Soldat 3 |
| Karel Habl | Adjutant |
| Joseph Vilsmaier | Director, Cinematographer, Producer, Screenwriter |
| Karl Baumgartner | Special Effects |
| Milan Bor | Score Composer |
| Jurgen Buscher | Screenwriter |
| Mark Damon | Executive Producer |
| Jindrich Goetz | Production Designer |
| Johannes M.M. Heide | Screenwriter |
| Ute Hofinger | Costumes/Costume Designer |
| Wolfgang Hundhammer | Production Designer |
| Hanno Huth | Producer |
| Hannes Nikel | Editor |
| Ruth Philipp | Makeup |
| Günter Rohrbach | Producer |
| Norbert Schneider | Score Composer |
| Milan Steindler | Asst. Director |
Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
This moving German film on the decisive battle of Stalingrad is a stunning portryal of the abysmal defeat Germany's 6th Army suffered at the hands of Soviet forces in 1943. Released before 'Saving Private Ryan', this film has some of the most visually moving and horrid war scenes I have ever seen. The film's scenes and plot do an excellent job at portraying how the German army progressed from gleaming confidence to utter dissillusionment and despair in their campaign on the Eastern Front. Starting with well over 150,000 men in the initial phases of the battle, the German 6th Army was left with only 90,000 soldiers who surrendered by 1943: only 6000 of them returned alive by 1945 to tell their tale. The film focuses on the lives and characters of a platoon and their experiences. Full of hope, pride, and arrogance as they leave Italy in the beginning, the audience sees the characters deteriorate into little more than frightened animals seeking safety from the wrath of the enemy and the unforgiving winter conditions. The movie has some distortions as to the common perceptions held by German soldiers as to their role in the Third Reich's army but this is to emphasize the issue of conscience, to present the characters as sympathetic, and to create plot tension. As is typical with many WWII movies, there is the stereotypical amoral NAZI hardline party member to act as a counterpoint. These narrative/cinematic techniques are unobtrusive though and don't erode the impact of the movie. This movie is far better than Enemy At The Gates which covers the same battle. It's not innundated with cliche dialogue and stereotypical Hollywood portrayals of Soviets or Germans. The closing scene has to be the grimmest ending I have seen in any war film. Thus, the film remains a sober drama and brings the full impact as to the horrible conditions German and Soviet soldiers fought under in that fateful battle that cost over 1 million lives. I strongly recommend this movie.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
I personally saw this film in Germany, full length, not hacked up, as found with the american version of ''Das Boot'', which was almost a true 6hrs. The american audiences are shameful in their attention spans, and a true film should not have a time limit to tell its story, if accurate. I am an american, but if you feel a story should be shown full-length, then make it so. This film was great! Also, if you have the time to learn a 2nd Language, its best if in German. It matters not who's wrong or right, you fight 100% for your buddy on the left and on your right........cause thats all you've got! Not some punk president like ''W'' placing you cause he's got a bug up his you know what! You also take in from this movie the craziness of an outright panic as the last plane leaves behind critical wounded, but takes out the single general that put you there, cause he has political pull. Thats when you realize, the lack of concern, as if you're right with the characters. The characters portray the bond to each other, as soldiers should, in most Armies. Thats the bond. ''Wenn alle Bruder schweigen'' by GeneralOberstgruppenfuhrer und Generaloberst der Waffen SS Paul Hauser. The SS was part of the Army, under the Army control. Yet, the Army denies any....ANY... knowledge of attrocities! BS! And NO Army General really took the fall as did the SS comanders..........left out to dry..........as the soldiers in this film! See it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 12, 2009
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