It's 1942 and the German and Russian armies are embroiled in one of the most momentous battles of WW2, the Battle of Stalingrad. Defeat at Stalingrad could hand Germany victory in Europe and Stalin has sent Kruschev (Bob Hoskins) to personally oversee the city's defence. In another corner of the city Danilov (Joseph Fiennes), a political officer, encounters Vassili Zaitsev (Jud Law), a simple soldier from the Urals who possesses an extraordinary skill, he is a first-class shot with an iron will. Danilov realises that Zaitsev could be moulded into exactly what Kruschev needs in order to boost troop morale.