A GEM FROM GERMANY!

If you are a lover of war movies like myself, you are probably disappointed more than not about the often lack of reality. Additionally, as a student of history, a constant stream of one sided good-guy / bad-guy productions, are rather boring after a while. Well, this gem from Germany has bucked that trend! "Stalingrad" is a motion picture which filmed from a German prospective, is fair, thrilling, real and well made. Although not relying on special effects, it has its share of good ones. The story is the key while the action is plenty. Basically, director Joseph Vilsmaier has created a modern day motion picture which will one day become the "All Quiet on the Western Front" of its time. This movie doesn't have fluff scenes, such as the opening of "Saving Private Ryan", which was geared towards a target audience. Neither does it have a story-line representing a very unlikely wartime scenario, in order to create a feeling of sentiment. Instead it shows the struggles of ordinary young men, thrown into the most bitter combat of WWII, in the most difficult conditions of the entire war. These "boys" must combat not only great physical odds, but the battle of personal morality, while fighting for their own nation and families. This is what makes a truly great war story...Not just scenes of explosions, blood and guts, but a human aspect. That is why "All Quiet on the Western Front" is an all-time classic. And that's why "Stalingrad" is one too. Of course there is plenty of action to go around, from the epic storming of the factory to the panicked escape attempts at the airfield to the infantry vs. tank battle. I liked this movie from beginning to end and rate it one of the finest war movies ever produced. It is at least worth a try for any moviegoer over 18.