Good movie--- lots of good parallels

[demonhunterfan]

Just had to rent an execellent movie, again, for the 3rd viewing I believe. It is called "Enemy at the Gates".

To me, it is an excellent portrayal of the horrors of war, (although I never served in any military) but it is also an excellent story of how one person can make a huge difference in any situation of any scale.

For those who have never seen this movie, it is the story of a young man who almost single handedly helped his fellow Russians beat the Nazis. His name is Vassili Zaitsev, and like David in the Bible, he was a shepherd who got thrust into battle against the enemies of his country. He was a natural sniper and wreaked havoc on the Nazis, so much so that they sent their best sniper to Stalingrad to take Vassili out. Vassili and his deeds were used by the political officers to encourage the Russian people, and give them hope. Prior to Vassili, the Russians were putting anyone and everyone into service to fight the Nazis. Sadly, they were so desperate, that anyone who entered into the battle against the Nazis was pretty much destined to die-- either by a Nazi bullet, or shot by their own officers if they tried to retreat.

I'm no student of history, but I feel the movie did a very good job of showing what was going on in WWII Russia. Nikita Kruschev came on the scene at the same time the political officer had discovered Vassili. The actors portraying Krushev and Vassili are very good, IMHO.

To me, and I believe, to any Christian, this movie is a stark reminder that the 'enemy is at the gates' and we must be ever vigilant. It also is such a good reminder, and encourager, of the fact that one person can make a huge difference. I don't know anything more about Vassili, if he was a Christian, etc. In the movie he is portrayed as a very humble fellow, just doing his job. Also in the story, the German sniper who comes to take Vassili out, can be compared to the devil, using any method to destroy Vassili, including killing a young shoeshine boy he tricks into spying on Vassili for him.

Vassili is a national hero, and his sniper rifle and some other artifacts are supposedly still on display in some big museum in Russia. He served his country out of love for it and his countrymen. We serve our Lord and HIS Kingdom for the same reasons. We are just as subject to the attacks of the evil one as Vassili and his countrymen were. We are not all 'heroes', but perhaps, if we simply obey our Father in Heaven, and do as HE would have us do, we are 'good and faithful servants'.

Later and God bless

[Fletch]

John, this is not a movie that I have seen yet, but everyone that I know that has seen it just raves of it. So, I guess it merits a trip to Hollywood Video or a trip down the movie isle at wally world.

[demonhunterfan]

I never served in the military. Came real close to being drafted back in '71-- my number was 176 and they took 175. I think I woulda wound up like the fella in "Deerhunter".

Got back into modeling in the late 70s, after reading a great book, "I, Stuka pilot" by Hans Ulrich Rudel. Fell in love with the Stuka, especially Rudel's tank busting version. Did all kinds of research on the Stuka, and other planes of the Luftwaffe. Built up quite a stash of models, even getting the HE111 with the twin fuselages and 5 engines--the Zwilling I believe it was called. Not good for a self proclaimed aethiest who couldn't deal with people to be spending so much time in Hitler's 'world' as I did become a bit of a closet neo nazi. Almost ordered a replica SS uniform which I told my son I wanted to be cremated in-- to which he replied, "How ironic".

Anyhow, the Stuka is my all time favorite airplane. It was designed to do a job, and suprisingly a lot of the developing of it, and the inspiration for it came from the barnstorming pilots here in America after WWI who would drop sacks of flour at airshows demonstrating the accuracy of dive bombing. The first 15-20 minutes of "Enemy at the Gates" is horrific with the young people of Russia being put in boxcars and transported en mass to a point across the river from Stalingrad. They were ferried across the river under constant strafing and bombing by Stukas. The special effects are superb and very chilling as to the effectiveness of the Stuka, or any similar warplane. Hard to watch but I think more of us should watch things like that so we try harder to find other ways of resolving problems.

Later and God bless

[george53]

John, AIRFIX Models makes a BEAUTIFUL 1/24th scale Stuka kit. It is HUGE! Never knew just how big one was till you match it up to other 24th scale planes. Ya know, that rascals bigget that a Harrier? get yerself one, I think you'd enjoy the challenge!

[demonhunterfan]

Thanks George. I still have a 'little' Stuka around here......weird, it's almost like an alcoholic keepin' a bottle around as a reminder--know what I means? I do think about building one at times, but...
Did have a 1/32 model Stuka at one time, at least I think it was 1/32. Had it hanging from my ceiling in the diving position. I'll have to look for the Airfix-- pretty sure I had the 1/32, not a 1/24.