The film depicts Zaitsev as a bit of an unschooled simpleton, from some backwater part of the country, but who knew how to shoot a rifle. In reality, Vasily Zaitsev was an educated man, and had worked for five years as an accountant in the Russian navy stationed in the Pacific before joining the army.
In the large battle scenes it was deemed too dangerous with so many extras in a confined space to set off explosions by remote. Stuntmen were mixed in with the extras to set off the explosions by stepping on pressure plates.
Major König, played by Ed Harris, can be seen wearing gloves with the index finger and thumb on its right hand removed. This was quite common for snipers in cold conditions as it helped prevent frostbite in the hand, while allowing them to make delicate changes to their weapon and ensuring a smooth trigger squeeze.
Having served for years in the Russian navy before being transferred to the army, Zaitsev was proud of his naval background and wore his blue and white striped navy issued shirt under his uniform during his time in Stalingrad.