Watcher
13-01-2002, 09:34 PM
<B><I>ROADSHOW ENTERTAINMENT.</I>
<center><H2>ENEMY AT THE GATES</h2>
Release Date: Jan 23.
Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: MA 15+
RRP: $39.95 </center>
<UL><center>SPECIAL FEATURES AND SPECS</b></center>
<LI>Additional Scenes
<LI>Through the Crosshairs documentary
<LI>Theatrical Trailer
<LI>Behind the scenes feturette: inside Enemy At The Gates
<LI>Cast & Crew Biographies.
<LI> English Dolby Digital 5.1 & dts 5.1
<LI>English subtitles for the hearing impaired.
<LI>Aspect: 2.35:1 widescreen 16:9 enhanced.
<LI>Dual layer/ Single sided.
<LI>Running Time: 125 minutes.</ul>
<center><b>CAST</b></center>
Jude Law, Joseph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Bob Hoskins and Ed Harris
DIRECTED: Jean-Jaques Annaud
<center><B>FROM THE BACK COVER</b></center>
"One of the best films of this year" - NBC-TV
"Brutally Compelling. ***1/2." - Vicky Roach, Daily Telegraph
"...an overall remarkable film." - Empire Magazine
Hailed for it's epic scale and masterful battle sequences, this is Europe's biggest and most expensive film production ever...
ENEMY AT THE GATES features and extraordinary cast bringing to life one of the most heroic and horrific struggles of World War 11 - the Battle for Stalingrad.
With over 1 million Russian lives lost in this battle, Director Jean-Jaques Annaud
Balances the epic with the intimate, the historical with the personal...
Legendary Russian sniper, Vassili Zaitsev (Law), has become a national hero with the full backing of the head of communist propaganda (Fiennes) and endorsement of the local commander, the man destined to become Soviet Premier a decade later,
Nikita Krushchev (Hoskins) himself. The inspiration he gives to the Russian army might just be enough to tip the balance of power and save Stalingrad from the invading German forces.
So to break the Russian spirit, the Nazis send in thier most decorate and cunning sharp-shooter, Major Konig (Ed Harris).
As the city crumbles around them, Vassili and Major Konig begin a cat and mouse game of daring, skill and patience. In this one-on one struggle to the death, each man is waiting for the perfect shot...and only one of them will walk out of Stalingrad alive.
<center><b>AUDIO/VISUAL</b></center>
Enemy At The Gates has both Dolby Digital 5.1 and dts 5.1 tracks and both sound just superb!
Both tracks sounded very similar to me, but the dts track came across with a little more clarity and just a little more oomph!
The 5.1 audio will not disappoint at all and used all speakers well providing a very clear, but powerful listening experience.
dts is the way to go though (if your system is capable).
The audio immerses you right into the heart of the action at times (the battle at the beginning in particular) and you'll be sitting there listening to all kinds of battle related sounds going off in all directions with very fine clarity.
All speakers are used very well, including the sub which really does thump and rumble at times.
The movie isn't all large scale conflicts though and the more lighter scenes also sound superb with nice ambient sound from the surrounds and speech that is in sync and very clear.
Choosing either of the soundtracks will not disappoint.
Enemy at the Gates has an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen and is 16:9 enhanced.
The video transfer of this movie is up there with the audio quality and will also not disappoint.
Viewers are given a very sharp and clean image, which should be expected from such a recent release movie. The cinematography is very well done with some clever angles and visual techniques.
Colours look fine, but do have what I assume is a deliberate slightly faded look at times. Flesh tones are natural in appearance and blacks and shadow detail are just dandy!
As far as faults go, I don't think you find any worth mentioning to be honest.
<center><B>EXTRA FEATURES</b></center>
Through the Crosshairs-
This mini documentary which runs for approximately
20 minutes looks into the story behind the film and Snipers in general, the casting of the characters, the character development(including Law & Harris being trained by Snipers and Women
involved in the war effort). Also discussed is the set design and production, location scouting, filming techniques and more.
Featurette - Inside Enemy At The Gates -
In this featurette which runs for approx 15 minutes Jean-Jaques Annaud talks about how he came across the story of
Enemy At The Gates and how he cast different actors for the characters.
Jude law, Rachel Weisz, Jospeh Fiennes and Ed Harris also talk about their characters, how they researched for their parts (learning to shoot, studying how to be sniper, etc).
They also discuss the movie and characters in general, their favourite scenes and more.
- Additional Scenes -
There are 9 additional scenes on this DVD all of which are presented in widescreen with Dolby Digital 2.0 audio.
The scenes are as follows:
The Pier (2.15minutes)
Sacha Dogtags (0.31 minutes)
Trenches (2.24 minutes)
Soup Time (0.55 minutes)
Sleep Koulikov (1.04 minutes)
Black Cats (1.47 minutes)
Tania Cries (0.50 minutes)
Hang On(0.56 minutes)
Danilov's Report(0.19minutes)
Theatrical Trailer -
This trailer which runs for 2.16 minutes is presented in widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. It includes many clips of action sequences from the film with compromising the plot too much for people who have not seen it yet.
Biographies-Cast & Crew -
Here you have a background picture of the cast member and you are able to read two or three screens of text on their career including list of film credits.
<center><B>OVERALL</b></center>
Enemy At The Gates is essentially a movie that focuses on a game of cat and mouse between a pair of highly skilled and respected snipers during the battle for Stalingrad.
The main cast do a great job in their various roles with some solid acting that is backed up by an involving storyline. I feel that this movie should appeal to most due to the previous qualities mentioned. This is obviously seen as a war movie, but it's very much focused on the people and their lives during this intense time of battle. I personally found it refreshing to watch a movie of this genre minus the flag waving Americans who could be seen as being guilty of over sensationalising their efforts in past wars.
I've said this more than once in recent times, but Roadshow Entertainment have provided another quality new release DVD that looks and sounds great!
The extra features while nothing to rave about are indeed entertaining and definitely worth spending some time on.
Enemy At The Gates is a very entertaining and satisfying movie experience on DVD and there's nothing much else to say here other than go check it out!
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" ALIGN="center" BORDER="1">
<tr><td><B>VIDEO QUALITY</b> </td><td><B>9/10</b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>AUDIO QUALITY</b> </td><td><B>9/10</b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>EXTRAS</b> </td><td><B>7/10</b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>THE MOVIE</b> </td><td><B>9/10 </b></td></tr>
<tr><td><B>OVERALL</B> </td><td><B>9/10 </b></td></tr></table>
<center><H2>ENEMY AT THE GATES</h2>
Release Date: Jan 23.
Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: MA 15+
RRP: $39.95 </center>
<UL><center>SPECIAL FEATURES AND SPECS</b></center>
<LI>Additional Scenes
<LI>Through the Crosshairs documentary
<LI>Theatrical Trailer
<LI>Behind the scenes feturette: inside Enemy At The Gates
<LI>Cast & Crew Biographies.
<LI> English Dolby Digital 5.1 & dts 5.1
<LI>English subtitles for the hearing impaired.
<LI>Aspect: 2.35:1 widescreen 16:9 enhanced.
<LI>Dual layer/ Single sided.
<LI>Running Time: 125 minutes.</ul>
<center><b>CAST</b></center>
Jude Law, Joseph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Bob Hoskins and Ed Harris
DIRECTED: Jean-Jaques Annaud
<center><B>FROM THE BACK COVER</b></center>
"One of the best films of this year" - NBC-TV
"Brutally Compelling. ***1/2." - Vicky Roach, Daily Telegraph
"...an overall remarkable film." - Empire Magazine
Hailed for it's epic scale and masterful battle sequences, this is Europe's biggest and most expensive film production ever...
ENEMY AT THE GATES features and extraordinary cast bringing to life one of the most heroic and horrific struggles of World War 11 - the Battle for Stalingrad.
With over 1 million Russian lives lost in this battle, Director Jean-Jaques Annaud
Balances the epic with the intimate, the historical with the personal...
Legendary Russian sniper, Vassili Zaitsev (Law), has become a national hero with the full backing of the head of communist propaganda (Fiennes) and endorsement of the local commander, the man destined to become Soviet Premier a decade later,
Nikita Krushchev (Hoskins) himself. The inspiration he gives to the Russian army might just be enough to tip the balance of power and save Stalingrad from the invading German forces.
So to break the Russian spirit, the Nazis send in thier most decorate and cunning sharp-shooter, Major Konig (Ed Harris).
As the city crumbles around them, Vassili and Major Konig begin a cat and mouse game of daring, skill and patience. In this one-on one struggle to the death, each man is waiting for the perfect shot...and only one of them will walk out of Stalingrad alive.
<center><b>AUDIO/VISUAL</b></center>
Enemy At The Gates has both Dolby Digital 5.1 and dts 5.1 tracks and both sound just superb!
Both tracks sounded very similar to me, but the dts track came across with a little more clarity and just a little more oomph!
The 5.1 audio will not disappoint at all and used all speakers well providing a very clear, but powerful listening experience.
dts is the way to go though (if your system is capable).
The audio immerses you right into the heart of the action at times (the battle at the beginning in particular) and you'll be sitting there listening to all kinds of battle related sounds going off in all directions with very fine clarity.
All speakers are used very well, including the sub which really does thump and rumble at times.
The movie isn't all large scale conflicts though and the more lighter scenes also sound superb with nice ambient sound from the surrounds and speech that is in sync and very clear.
Choosing either of the soundtracks will not disappoint.
Enemy at the Gates has an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen and is 16:9 enhanced.
The video transfer of this movie is up there with the audio quality and will also not disappoint.
Viewers are given a very sharp and clean image, which should be expected from such a recent release movie. The cinematography is very well done with some clever angles and visual techniques.
Colours look fine, but do have what I assume is a deliberate slightly faded look at times. Flesh tones are natural in appearance and blacks and shadow detail are just dandy!
As far as faults go, I don't think you find any worth mentioning to be honest.
<center><B>EXTRA FEATURES</b></center>
Through the Crosshairs-
This mini documentary which runs for approximately
20 minutes looks into the story behind the film and Snipers in general, the casting of the characters, the character development(including Law & Harris being trained by Snipers and Women
involved in the war effort). Also discussed is the set design and production, location scouting, filming techniques and more.
Featurette - Inside Enemy At The Gates -
In this featurette which runs for approx 15 minutes Jean-Jaques Annaud talks about how he came across the story of
Enemy At The Gates and how he cast different actors for the characters.
Jude law, Rachel Weisz, Jospeh Fiennes and Ed Harris also talk about their characters, how they researched for their parts (learning to shoot, studying how to be sniper, etc).
They also discuss the movie and characters in general, their favourite scenes and more.
- Additional Scenes -
There are 9 additional scenes on this DVD all of which are presented in widescreen with Dolby Digital 2.0 audio.
The scenes are as follows:
The Pier (2.15minutes)
Sacha Dogtags (0.31 minutes)
Trenches (2.24 minutes)
Soup Time (0.55 minutes)
Sleep Koulikov (1.04 minutes)
Black Cats (1.47 minutes)
Tania Cries (0.50 minutes)
Hang On(0.56 minutes)
Danilov's Report(0.19minutes)
Theatrical Trailer -
This trailer which runs for 2.16 minutes is presented in widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. It includes many clips of action sequences from the film with compromising the plot too much for people who have not seen it yet.
Biographies-Cast & Crew -
Here you have a background picture of the cast member and you are able to read two or three screens of text on their career including list of film credits.
<center><B>OVERALL</b></center>
Enemy At The Gates is essentially a movie that focuses on a game of cat and mouse between a pair of highly skilled and respected snipers during the battle for Stalingrad.
The main cast do a great job in their various roles with some solid acting that is backed up by an involving storyline. I feel that this movie should appeal to most due to the previous qualities mentioned. This is obviously seen as a war movie, but it's very much focused on the people and their lives during this intense time of battle. I personally found it refreshing to watch a movie of this genre minus the flag waving Americans who could be seen as being guilty of over sensationalising their efforts in past wars.
I've said this more than once in recent times, but Roadshow Entertainment have provided another quality new release DVD that looks and sounds great!
The extra features while nothing to rave about are indeed entertaining and definitely worth spending some time on.
Enemy At The Gates is a very entertaining and satisfying movie experience on DVD and there's nothing much else to say here other than go check it out!
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" ALIGN="center" BORDER="1">
<tr><td><B>VIDEO QUALITY</b> </td><td><B>9/10</b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>AUDIO QUALITY</b> </td><td><B>9/10</b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>EXTRAS</b> </td><td><B>7/10</b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>THE MOVIE</b> </td><td><B>9/10 </b></td></tr>
<tr><td><B>OVERALL</B> </td><td><B>9/10 </b></td></tr></table>