Movie Analysis of Enemy at the Gates and Historical Context of Stalingrad

"Autumn, 1942 - Europe lies crushed beneath the Nazi jackboot. The German army is at the height of its power. Hitler's armies are charging through the heart of the Soviet Union towards the oil fields of Asia. One last obstacle remains; a city on the Volga river where the fate of the world is being decided: Stalingrad" (Craig). The movie Enemy at the Gates depicts the story of real life Russian sniper Vassili Zaitsev against the German sniper counterpart Major Konig.
As Russian morale was plummeting, and the outlook for Russia and the future of Stalingrad looked bleak, General Nikita Kruschev takes command of the Soviet forces at Stalingrad. Looking for an example to boost the confidence of the Red Army, Kruschev calls upon political officer Danilov.…