Everything Wrong with the Sniper Rifles in "Enemy at the Gates”
Forgotten Weapons・15 minutes read
The film "Enemy at the Gates" focuses on historical accuracy of small arms, with discrepancies in rifles used by Vasily Zaitsev and Major König, as well as other minor inaccuracies noted. Despite some errors, the filmmakers demonstrated attention to detail in portraying small arms accurately, inviting viewers to analyze the film for any additional discrepancies.
Insights
- The movie "Enemy at the Gates" set in Stalingrad during World War Two in fall of 1942, focuses on historical accuracy of small arms, particularly the sniper rifles of Vasily Zaitsev and Major König.
- Despite some inaccuracies, the filmmakers of "Enemy at the Gates" show attention to detail in small arms, with most rifles portrayed accurately, although some extras are seen with Finnish Mosin-Nagant rifles, which is unlikely to be historically accurate.
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Recent questions
What is the setting of "Enemy at the Gates"?
Stalingrad during World War Two in fall of 1942.
What is the focus of the movie poster?
Historical accuracy of small arms in the film.
Who are the primary focus of the sniper rifles?
Vasily Zaitsev and Major König.
What is the inaccuracy with Zaitsev's rifle?
Depicted as a 91/30 PU instead of a 91/30 PEM.
How are the filmmakers commended despite inaccuracies?
Attention to detail in small arms despite minor discrepancies.
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Summary
00:00
Inaccurate Rifles in "Enemy at the Gates"
- Movie "Enemy at the Gates" set in Stalingrad during World War Two in fall of 1942.
- Poster features a left-handed Mosin-Nagant rifle that doesn't exist in the movie.
- Focus is on historical accuracy of small arms in the film.
- Sniper rifles of Vasily Zaitsev and Major König are primary focus.
- Zaitsev's rifle inaccurately depicted as 91/30 PU, when he actually used a 91/30 PEM.
- Zaitsev's rifle should have been a PEM, not a PU, as shown in the movie.
- Major König's Mauser rifle inaccurately depicted as a single-claw K98k, not in production until 1943.
- König's rifle has a fantasy reticle, not historically accurate.
- Other rifles in the film include a sporterized 91/30 PU Mosin and a modified Mosin resembling a partisan rifle.
- Film makers show attention to detail in small arms, despite historical inaccuracies.
12:18
"Enemy at the Gates: Small Arms Accuracy"
- The film "Enemy at the Gates" features small arms inaccuracies, such as a soldier in the army using a prop rifle instead of his regular one, and elite naval infantry/sailors shown with Maxim belts of ammunition loaded every other cartridge pocket, rendering the gun essentially a single-shot rifle.
- Despite these inaccuracies, the majority of the small arms in the film are portrayed accurately, with attention to detail in the hero rifles, although some extras are seen with Finnish Mosin-Nagant rifles, which is unlikely to be historically accurate.
- The filmmakers are commended for their efforts in depicting small arms accurately in "Enemy at the Gates," despite some minor discrepancies, inviting viewers to analyze the film for any additional small arms inaccuracies.
