I read a lot of books about Stalingrad, and decided to buy this DVD, after watching this movie, I was sorry for discounting the negative Amazon reviews before buying it, this film is a real disappointment, the acting would have to be the worst I have ever seen, you NEVER feel that your with them in battle, but rather with them on a movie set. The film is about a small group of German soldiers enduring the suffering of war, much like the movie Platoon, showing a more humane side, leaving out most of the atrocities committed by the Germans. The language is German and dubbed in English, so if you watch it in English, don't expect there lips to be in synch, its better watching it in German and reading the subtitles. This film really belongs in the $5 dollar bin at your local shopping mart, definitely NOT worth $28!.

Watching the movie Stalingrad was an up-and-down battle. The first hour of the movie stays true and historically accurate, down to the battle tactics, field dress, medals, etc. I was blown away by the production values, sound effects and special effects, here a battle in a war I studied so much about on the screen right before my eyes. For a glittering moment the movie actually makes you see the Germans and Soviets as proud and noble soldiers. The Soviets fighting for what they perceive to be a threat to their homeland (but actually assisting Stalin and the Bolsheviks) and the Germans fighting for what they perceive to be a threat to Europe (Stalin and the Bolsheviks).

There are some memorable scenes, for an example when both sides temporarily cease fire to help their wounded Kameraden/Comrades and turns into an exchange of foodstuffs between the two sides. Here in the middle of Stalingrad, two men: one Russian and one German who look no different except for the sides they fight for, no matter right or wrong put differences aside for a brief moment. The moment ends when a shot is fired, restarting the deadly battle.

After the gallant battles and following of historical accuracy for the most part (not bad for a 'Hollywood' war movie) the movie morphs itself into a different film altogether. Here I am watching Stalingrad, next I am watching the self-hating movie Platoon. Miles Watson said it best in his review of the 1958 version of Stalingrad when he was speaking of this movie:

"I saw the latter film first and was deeply disappointed by it. It is an excruciatingly long and depressing antiwar screed choked with post-war self hatred and guilt, and the last hour is almost unwatchable. The producers obviously had a political agenda and carried it out at the expense of such minor things as the historical truth or watch ability. I'd rather watch "Born on the Fourth of July" a half-dozen times than sit through "Stalingrad" again."

As with Platoon (the portrayal of a group of men not like those who actually fought in Vietnam) the men of Stalingrad are driven to play deserters, traitors and thieves during the last 50 minutes of the movie.

Instead of being one of the 90,000 Germans to walk off into captivity with their dignity these men turned their back on their own. Although less then 6,000 Germans survived afterwards it still angers you because these men could be on your side (An American, Russian, Briton, etc) and from the battle reports I've studied these men don't represent the average soldier in Stalingrad. Like Miles Watson said here the producers drove their political agenda into the movie and ruined it. Anyone who fought in this battle or war, no matter what side should be sour with it as well. Yes, war is hell but political correctness is absolute hell.

I have wanted to see this movie for a long time, ever since I first noticed it for sale here on Amazon.com. As a war buff with a particular fascination with World War II I was excited about the prospect of seeing a German account of the battle for Stalingrad, especially after seeing that this film is from the producers who brought us the outstanding "Das Boot." However, I have to say that I was really disappointed with "Stalingrad." This film has no business being mentioned in the same sentence as "Saving Private Ryan" (though at least "Stalingrad" does not cop out and give us a typical Hollywood heroic ending). The story itself was not very well conceived, the action scenes seem contrived and unrealistic, reminding me of war movies from fifty or sixty years ago with their unconvincing death scenes, and the acting left much to be desired. If you're interested in learning more about Stalingrad you would be much better off reading a good book about it. Even "Enemy at the Gates," a movie that disappointed me tremendously, is better than this one. It pains me to say that because I really hoped "Stalingrad" would be a more realistic and effective account of this battle than that movie was. Making matters even worse is the ridiculous price of this DVD. I might be willing to buy this movie if I found it in the bargain bin somewhere, but it is not worth anywhere near its $32 price tag here.

I'm not going to bother reviewing this movie because that's just subjective, and anyone looking to purchase this movie for $45.00 has probably seen it already. The dubbing is a joke. Why there would not be a subtitle option on a DVD is beyond me. The DVD is not anamorphic and so the picture quality is not good on a widescreen TV. It is still letterbox at least so this is better than pan and scan. The transfer is not very good either although I have seen worse.

All in all, not worth the $45.00 asking price. The only reason why this DVD is priced that way is because war buffs (like me and you) would actually shell out this amount for this substandard quality product.

I would suggest a trip to your local big box electronics store to buy a cheapo DVD player (I spent $60 CND) that will play PAL and other region encoded DVD's. Then go to Amazon.UK and but this DVD for 5 pounds sterling (it will cost about $15 CND with shipping) At the same time you can buy Waterloo (not released in North America) and a better (but not much cheaper)version of Cross of Iron (1977). As well you can also order the excellent "Battlefield" series.

In a nut shell ..the movie describe the entire german perspective/situation in Stalingrad..the cold,disease, lack of food, lotting, combat and so forth. So its kinda refreshing in tone instead of watching a USA perspective all the time .

I never notice anything bad about the dvd quality....its fine