I am a stone.
I do not move.
Very slowly, I put snow in my mouth,
then he won't see my breath.
I take my time. I let him come closer.
I have only one bullet. I aim at his eye.
Very gently, my finger presses on the trigger.
I do not tremble.
I have no fear. I'm a big boy now.
Ready, Vassili?
Now, Vassili. Fire!
Fire, Vassili! Fire!
Come on, pick your feet up.
Get on your feet. Prepare to board the train.
You there, come along with me now. This way, pal.
All civilians, get out!
Make way, let the civilians off.
This is a military convoy.
No one stays on board but our valiant soldiers.
This is a convoy to Stalingrad...
only for the soldiers of the Red Army.
All aboard!
Autumn, 1942.
Europe lies crushed beneath the Nazi jackboot.
The German Third Reich 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...
where the fate of the world is being decided: Stalingrad.
Glorious comrade Stalin...
has ordered not another step backwards.
The people of the Soviet Union shall be free.
Go forward, comrades. Not a step backwards!
Listen to these letters sent by Russian mothers...
to their sons on the front.
"Volodya, my child, I know that it's for our motherland...
"I know that it's for our motherland that you are giving your life.
"Everyone here knows that you will not fall back.
"Everyone here is proud of you.
"Your father is dead. Your brothers are dead.
Avenge us on the hordes of fascists."
Nobody move! Stay on the boat!
Get back or I'll shoot!
Back from the rails, or we shoot. Shoot the traitors!
Come on, come on! Move!
Come on, comrades, come on!
Move, or you'll be shot!
Over here, stretcher!
The one with the rifle shoots!
One out of two gets a rifle.
The one without follows him!
When the one with the rifle gets killed,
the one who is following picks up the rifle and shoots!
The one with the rifle shoots!
The one without follows him!
When the one with the rifle gets killed,
the one who is following...
picks up the rifle and shoots!
The one with the rifle shoots!
-This way, now. -The one without follows him!
Soldiers of the glorious Red Army, from now on...
it is either victory or death!
-Those who retreat will be shot. -I need a rifle.
There will be no mercy for cowards and traitors!
Achtung!
It's hopeless, comrades. Get back!
Pull back!
Get back! Get back!
In the name of the Soviet Union,
not a step backwards, or we shoot.
No retreat! Not a step back!
-No mercy! -Deserters will be shot.
-Fire! -Shoot the traitors!
Cowards will be shot!
No mercy for cowards!
Russians, surrender. You will see your home again.
This is not your war.
Join your German comrades, they understand your suffering...
and will care more for you than your own officers,
who are only sending you to your death.
The Third Reich is not your enemy.
The enemy is bloodthirsty Stalin and his Bolshevik camp,
who have stolen your land, who have deported your father...
Fire!
You'll get us caught, comrade Commissar.
With your permission, comrade Commissar.
-Which one should I aim at first? -You should wait...
till there's an explosion.
-Do you know how to shoot? -A little.
Don't shoot. Don't shoot. He's looking at us.
Thank you, comrade Commissar.
Danilov, political officer, second class.
Twenty-first infantry.
"Vassili Zaitsev."
"On this day, September the 20th, 1942,
"a shepherd boy from the Urals...
"Arrived in the city of Stalingrad, on the banks of the Volga.
"His name is Vassili Zaitsev.
"Like thousands before him, he came to answer comrade Stalin's call.
"Armed with a rifle, he quickly made the fascist invader realize that...
"from now on he would be punished for every step he took in the motherland;
that from here on, the only way was back."
What do you think?
I think comrade Commissar's been overgenerous.
Let me go! Let me go!
By order of comrade Stalin, no civilian can leave the city.
Get back!
Stand away, or we will open fire.
Stand away!
Get back!
Get back or we shoot!
Back! Keep back!
Make way for comrade Stalin's envoy!
I carried out my orders.
I sent in all of my boys.
But the Germans engulfed us.
They have artillery, aircraft, tanks.
-And me, what did I have? -The sacred duty to resist!
I have to report to the boss.
Perhaps you'd prefer to avoid the red tape.
My name is...
Nikita Sergeyevich Kruschev.
I've come to take things in hand here.
This city is not Kursk...
nor is it Kiev, nor Minsk.
This city is Stalingrad.
Stalingrad!
This city bears the name of the boss.
It's more than a city, it's a symbol.
If the Germans capture this city,
the entire country will collapse.
Now, I want our boys...
to raise their heads.
I want them to act like they have balls!
I want them to stop shitting their pants!
That's your job.
As political officers, I'm counting on you.
You, what's your suggestion?
Shoot all the other generals who have retreated...
and their chiefs of staff too.
M-Make some examples.
-D-D-Deport families of the deserters... -Yeah, that's all been done.
Give them hope!
Here, the men's only choice is between German bullets and ours.
But there's another way. The way of courage.
The way of love of the motherland.
We must publish the army newspaper again.
We must tell magnificent stories. Stories that extol...
sacrifice, bravery.
We must make them believe in the victory.
We must give them hope, pride, a desire to fight.
Yes, we need to make examples.
But examples to follow.
What we need... are heroes.
Do you know any heroes around here?
Yes, comrade, I know one.
That's me!
"Vassili Zaitsev." That's me!
No, you're not dreaming. It's your name.
We made the front page.
They haven't changed a word.
Do you have any idea what this means?
It's not the back page, it's not the second page,
-it's the front page. -The front page!
They're going to reprint our article everywhere.
In the Caucasus, in the Crimea, even in the Urals.
Tomorrow morning, Stalin himself will be sitting over breakfast,
reading my words, memorizing your name.
We're famous, Vassili. Kruschev loved the article.
He's promoted me to the general staff.
And you to sniper division.
-Well, that's good. -It's very good.
-It's very good. It's great. -It's very great!
-It's great! -For us because we did it together.
Together!
-Although I did all the hard work. -Oh, yeah?
-You're very lucky I can't fight back. -Why's that?
Because Kruschev told me to make sure nothing happens to you.
-You're too important. -I'm too valuable.
Yes, careful of my... careful of my glasses, please. They're new.
Sorry, sir.
-I'm famous! We're famous! -I'm famous! I'm famous!
Vassili, the young shepherd from the Urals,
killed his 12th German officer today.
He used to hunt wolves, now he shoots fascists.
Today, Vassili Zaitsev shot his 23rd German officer.
He is an example to us all.
Vassili shot his 32nd German officer.
Count only the Germans you have killed.
-Today, Vassili Zaitsev... -Here is the evidence...
11 dog tags retrieved by sniper Vassili Zaitsev.
More and more men and women, fighters from all branches of our armed forces,
join the sniper division and learn the skills of Vassili Zaitsev.
I am a stone.
I breathe slowly.
I aim at the eye.
So it is you,
the great Vassili Zaitsev.
-My mother makes potatoes with bacon. -Sounds good.
When she sees you, she won't believe her eyes.
-How many today? -Only two.
And the last one, why didn't you shoot him?
He was only a foot soldier. Wasn't worth giving away my position.
Bless you.
We know how much we owe you.
We pray for you every day.
Every evening, we listen to them talk about you on Radio Moscow.
Thanks. You've certainly managed well down here.
My parents used to store furniture down here before the war.
Sacha, drop that right now.
It's loaded.
This way, comrade Commissar.
Thank you, comrade.
Good evening.
Comrade Zaitsev?
My God, where does all this mail come from?
From all over the country, Mrs. Filipov, from all over.
This one's from the workers of the Kouzbass.
They want to name their mine after Vassili.
Right, let's start with the miners.
Come on, let's get to work.
Dear comrades from the Kouzbass,
-Kouzbass. -I thank you for your letter of praise.
-Praise? -R-A-l-S-E.
And... I hope that I can live up...
to your expectations... A-T-I-O-N-S.
Expectations.
You're interested in German literature, Mrs. Filipov?
It's all right, it's our neighbor.
-Right, where were we? -Tania, we have guests.
Your offer to name...
l...
l-I recognize you.
He's Vassili Zaitsev.
I saw your picture in the paper.
Thank you for everything you're doing.
-And this is his friend, Commissar... -Danilov.
Danilov.
Tania is like a daughter to me.
She used to take care of Sacha when I worked at the factory.
She even taught him German. All these books are hers.
-Oh, they're yours? -She studied German at the university.
-Which university? -Moscow.
Moscow. Moscow.
Shouldn't we, uh...
Yes, let's continue.
Your offer to name your mine after me...
is... a great honor.
H-O-N.
Yes, I know. Honor.
Very good.
Shouldn't we make the point that I'm not the only one fighting?
That... That's excellent... excellent idea, Vassili.
-We can take it even further though. -Oh.
We can take it further.
Your battle for the production of coal...
is as worthy as mine.
There's no "K" in coal.
Just-Just one "L."
Oh, tell me if I'm going too fast.
-No, you're not going too fast. -You sure?
I just thought is there any other improvements?
Why don't you get some rest? These letters can wait until tomorrow.
We should carry on. We're not tired.
Thank you, Mrs. Filipov. These people...
took the trouble to write to us.
Tomorrow, we may not be around to write back.
Major Konig, Herr General.
I was expecting someone...
else.
Certainly not someone so prestigious.
I imagine you have your reasons...
for getting yourself involved in this hellish situation.
My army is not designed for this kind of fighting.
Yesterday, yet again, I had to promote...
25 sergeants to replace the officers shot down by their sharpshooters.
Those snipers are demoralizing my people.
This city is no more than...
a heap of ruins.
But the fuehrer's persisting.
He has made it a personal matter between Stalin and himself.
We should trust the fuehrer's instinct.
He always managed to lead us to victory.
We shall be back home for Christmas.
How are you going to go about finding this young Russian?
I'll fix it so that he's the one who finds me.
Vassili. Vassili.
-Come on, time to get up. -What?
They have a problem in the department store sector. They need us. Come on.
Look, Vassili, he's hiding in the department store. Over there.
So far this morning,
he's knocked off five officers, plus two machine gunners.
Look, third floor, fourth window from the left.
Fourth window from the left.
See him?
Yeah, I see him.
There, you got him!
Great shot.
Let's go get his dog tag.
Good-bye, comrade Commissar.
Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Filipov.
You can borrow whatever you like.
I'm not sure what they would say to me at headquarters...
if I came back with an armful of Goethe and Schiller.
There's some Marx too.
You were assigned to civil defense at the 12th district?
No, I volunteered.
It's such a coincidence meeting you like this.
Comrade Kruschev was telling me just yesterday...
how desperately we're in need of operators who speak German.
I can't. Our militia's responsible for all the people in this neighborhood.
We're already desperately short of men.
We'll give you a dozen soldiers for every one that speaks German.
I'd rather stay and fight.
Serving at headquarters is fighting. You'd be far more useful there.
You stay here. You cover us.
-All right. -We go.
Take care.
Ludmilla, come on.
Check the stairway.
It's a trap.
I know.
Move back.
He's still here.
-They're coming straight for us! -Ludmilla,
stay where you are, he's over there somewhere.
We have to get out of here!
-We have to get out of here! -Just stay where you are!
What are we gonna do?
Ludmilla, stay where you are!
Fuck this, I'm going.
Ludmilla, no!
What does this mean?
"The little shepherd from the Urals receives a new sniper's rifle,
"a Mosin-Nagant 7.62, with its 3.5-Power P.U. Telescope.
Pride of precision of Soviet production."
-I've seen that rifle close up. -Have you?
I've even touched it. I know him well, Vassili Zaitsev.
Ludmilla and Anton were killed today, and it was my fault.
No, I'm sure that's not true.
There was a German sniper. I walked them right into his trap.
-What else can you tell me? -He didn't relocate.
A sniper who doesn't relocate isn't normal.
He was very good. It wasn't just his shooting, it was his instinct.
He was a step ahead of me all the time.
That's because he knows everything about you.
His name is Konig, Major Konig.
They've sent him here to ki...
to find you.
At first we weren't sure if the information was reliable.
It seems he's come all the way from Berlin to stop you.
You've caused them so many sleepless nights, they sent their top marksman.
-What do we know about him? -He's a major in the Wehrmacht.
He's director of their sniper school in Zossen.
Koulikov studied under him at Zossen before the war.
He knows all his tricks. From now on, he'll go with you everywhere.
A nobleman from Bavaria who hunts deer...
against a shepherd boy from the Urals who poaches wolves.
It's more than a confrontation between two nations.
It's the essence of class struggle.
I'm glad you're so happy.
He had all the advantages. Next time you'll be even.
No one shoots like you, Vassili.
She's been transferred.
I'll see if they're ready for you next door.
-Hello. -You look smart in your new uniform.
Make sure they don't take it back once you've finished.
Yeah, they probably will.
I've heard the rumor about the German, and I wanted to wish you luck.
Thank you. I'll need it.
From what comrade Danilov tells me, you're going to win.
Hmm.
It's time.
-Vassili! Vassili! -Come to my arms.
Look in my direction.
Put your cap back on, you look more heroic.
-This way, comrade Zaitsev. -I love this little fellow.
Vassili, is it true that you volunteered for the front?
How old are you, Vassili?
Do you know what this duel means for our country?
Is it true you killed your first wolf when you were five?
Are you proud to be challenged by the best sharpshooter in Germany?
The Germans are starting to shit their pants.
Go on, my boy, tell us how you're going to deal with him.
-Or rather, no. Tell it to the boss. -One more question, please.
He likes good hunting stories.
Look at him with pride,
because he's looking at you.
The whole country is looking at you.
Forgive me, forgive me, Grandfather.
So, it's not the wolf that chooses the hunting ground...
but the hunter.
But I'm sure your grandfather taught you that.
Except in this case,
I'm the game.
However, today what we're going to do...
is lure the wolf out of his lair...
to where we want him to be.
You're the one whose life is valuable. You go first.
No, no. We take it in turns. Next time is your turn to go first,
and then it's you, Volodya.
Son of a bitch!
These are new pants. I just took them off a captain from the 251 st yesterday.
Sixteen months I spent in Germany at the school in Zossen.
Of course, those were the days when we were friends with the Krauts;
when our Joseph and their Adolph...
were walking hand in hand.
From here to the wire, 160 meters, right?
One hundred and fifty-five.
Whatever. That'll make 'em send out a repair guy.
Let's relocate.
Aah!
Hey, Volodya!
After the Germans invaded us,
it wasn't the same atmosphere anymore.
Threw my ass in prison.
What were you doing in Germany, huh?
Excuse me, says I, but it was comrade Stalin who sent me there.
Don't bring our glorious leader into your treachery.
Confess, spy bastard! Confess.
And bang! Bang, bang, bang!
Well, there wasn't a sickle, but there was a hammer.
And bang. Knocked out all my teeth.
That's right, boy. Have no illusions.
That's the land of socialism and universal bliss for you.
Hey! It's your repair guy.
I got him.
It's about soup time, isn't it?
I'm going.
Well, get a move on, Volodya,
and try not to spill it all on your way back, you Marxist bastard.
The enemy sniper activity reported during the past 24 hours, Herr Major.
Two sentries shot in the train station sector.
One artillery observer in the Northern sector.
One lieutenant from the 24th Panzer division in the factory sector.
Three telephone repairmen in the workers'housing sector.
They also tell me we have just taken a prisoner who may interest you.
I hope he's still able to speak.
Excuse me, sir?
Nothing. Thank you.
So, tell us, Volodya,
which building is he in?
There is no way I know that.
He moves around all the time.
He jumps from one to the next.
On which floor?
I don't know.
We'll see about that.
Undress him.
Put him in one of our uniforms.
You see, they are stubborn.
That's the good thing about the Germans.
Man, you got to admit when they get an idea in their heads...
Right.
Let's see if our customer has arrived.
Are you ready?
Uh-huh.
And now our famous shepherd from the Urals,
who Major Konig thinks is an idiot,
gets up to make sure he has hit his target.
Major Konig sees him.
Aims for his helmet.
Fires.
Reveals his position and is shot in turn.
Except... Major Konig doesn't fire...
because Major Konig isn't there.