Two snipers and three lovers
Jean-Jacques Annaud certainly didn’t think so Stalingrada war film with a record budget for a European production at the time, it also attracted the ire of German audiences. Published in 2001, it was first shown at the opening of the 51st Berlinale on February 7, and this world premiere just isn’t going to go well.
However, with its 68 million budget well used on screen – the fight sequences and the reconstruction of the city besieged by the Nazis are models of the genre – and its very attractive cast, everything seemed aligned for the film to achieve success. Play Jude Law Vasily Zaitsevyoung Soviet sniper, “hero” of the Soviet struggle and propaganda figure orchestrated by his friend Danilov, political commissar played by Joseph Fiennes. During the siege of Stalingrad, he will stand out for his heroic actions and will face his German counterpart, a legendary sniper named Erwin König (Ed Harris), at the same time as a love triangle will be established between Danilov, the young militiaman Tania ( Rachel Weisz) and him.
Praised for its depiction of war, Stalingrad on the other hand, it is criticized for its plot and love story, which to many viewers and critics appear completely irrelevant. Because of the dramatization necessary for fiction, audiences forgive numerous historical inaccuracies. On the other hand, the abundance of clichés does not pass.
A happy ending which poses a problem
As reported on February 8, 2001, the venerable Der Spiegelthe reserved welcome Stalingrad it was therefore freezing.
“Not only was the celebrity parade a fiasco, but French director Jean-Jacques Annaud’s war drama “Stalingrad” was also a failure.“
In question, presented as a “German” film, with significant funding from Germany and filming in the country, Stalingrad rather, it has the characteristics of a great American production. And as the article says:
There is a rumor that the Americans would have the final say on this production of 180 million marks. After criticism during a test screening in the United States, the film quickly received a happy ending. The audience welcomed the “duel” with faint applause and even some whistles.
Without revealing the details, Stalingrad it actually ends with a happy ending. And which is essentially based on the resolution of his romantic intrigue. Which, added to the clichés about the representation of Soviet and Nazi fighters, has therefore led to”whistlesIf up until then the film had generally avoided the trap of Manichaeism, its conclusion is in fact very “American”, with the “good” ones rewarded and all the “bad” ones punished. The great Austrian actress Senta Berger, in the midst of other reproaches and even “anger” expressed during the gala evening that followed the screening of Stalingrad, even judging the film”a little problematic…“
Source: Cine Serie
Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.
