Part 2/7:
Set in 1942, "Enemy at the Gates" opens with Red Army soldier Vassili Zaitsev, who is riding a train bound for Stalingrad—where chaos and death abound. As he reflects on his childhood experiences learning to shoot, the gravity of the situation intensifies. The train is filled not just with soldiers but also civilians, emphasizing the widespread impact of war on all lives.
As the soldiers disembark into the fierce battle, they are met with overwhelming firepower from the enemy. The film starkly depicts the brutal reality: soldiers are forced into combat with inadequate resources, and those who dare to flee are swiftly punished by their own superiors, highlighting the dire straits faced by the Soviet troops.