Enemy at the Gates Blu-ray

Enemy at the Gates

 (2001)

Action | Drama | History | Thriller | War



The year is 1942 and the Nazis are cutting a deadly swath through Russia. Under the leadership of Khrushchev (Bob Hoskins), the citizens of Stalingrad are mounting a brave resistance, spurred by the exploits of their local hero, Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law). An expert sniper, Vassili's deeds have become legendary - thanks to propaganda produced by Vassili's best friend, a political officer named Danilov (Joseph Fiennes). To stop Vassili, the Germans dispatch their best sniper, Major Konig (Ed Harris), to Stalingrad. When Vassili and Danilov both fall in love with a beautiful soldier (Rachel Weisz), Danilov deserts his friend, leaving Vassili to face his German counterpart alone. As the city burns, Vassili and Konig begin a cunning game of cat and mouse, waging a private war for courage, honor and country.

For more details about Enemy at the Gates on Blu-ray, see the Enemy at the Gates Blu-ray Review

Enemy at the Gates Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


Enemy at the Gates lines up in the Blu-ray crosshairs and reveals a picture that does not quite excite the visual senses. This 1080p, 2.35:1-framed image takes on a dull, drab, lifeless appearance, reflecting the cold, harsh, smoky, and decaying Stalingrad that populates every frame of the film. At times, the film seems almost colorless, only the brown stocks of the rifles or the dull green uniforms standing out from the black and gray rubble and smoke that has overtaken the city. It should come as no surprise that the finest of details are hard to come by, particularly in those outdoor shots covered in smoke and generally bleak imagery. Some objects -- wool-lined jackets, the lines in the wood on the rifle stocks, facial hair growth, or the remnants of a brick wall -- reveal adequate textures and visible nuances that enhance the realism of the picture, but never does any one object stand out to truly wow viewers. The image often appears rather clean with minimal grain but displays the occasional bout of noise or dirt. Black levels are sufficient and flesh tones take on an appropriately cold, lifeless appearance that matches up with the overall look of the film. Enemy at the Gates offers a rather flat-appearing image at best, but considering the many challenges facing the visuals, this disc seems to replicate the intended look nicely enough.

Enemy at the Gates Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


Enemy at the Gates shells Blu-ray with a somewhat lackluster Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Gunshots lack that crisp oomph and zip, and explosions don't provide the heft and deep thumps one might expect of them. The action sequences fall a bit flat, with not much in the way of immersion or foundation-shaking bass. Sound effects spread out nicely across the front, but the rear channels offer little in the way of discernible support. Generally subtle ambience is heard nicely here and there, for example machine gun fire and explosions off in the distance, most coming out of the front speakers, and sometimes elevated in volume when shells land closer to the action. Sometimes, these distant explosions, and those closer to the action in particular, surpass in the level of hefty bass those happening in the middle of the frame. The film's final major battle scenes offer up the most heft and power, with the explosions playing to good volume but still not rattling the floorboards. Music and dialogue are both delivered crisply and efficiently. While a solid soundtrack, this one ultimately underwhelms in its effort bring the action to vivid life.

Enemy at the Gates Blu-ray, News and Updates

• Paramount Details More May Blu-ray Titles - March 3, 2009


• Paramount Reveals May Wave of Blu-ray Titles - February 24, 2009

Enemy at the Gates Blu-ray, Forum Discussions

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