Steiner – Das Eiserne Kreuz (1977)

Steiner – Das Eiserne Kreuz: Directed by Sam Peckinpah. With James Coburn, Maximilian Schell, James Mason, David Warner. German commander Hauptmann Stransky (Maximilian Schell) places a squad in extreme danger after Sergeant Rolf Steiner (James Coburn) refuses to lie for him.

“u0026quot;Cross of Ironu0026quot; was Sam Peckinpahu0026#39;s only war movie. It deals with a company of German soldiers retreating through Russia at the close of Hitleru0026#39;s ill-fated Russian campaign. Unusual for a war film, the story is told from the German point of view. Being a Peckinpah film there are explosions and blood-spurting bodies a-plenty. The rough terrain and cramped quarters that the soldiers have to deal with lend well to the declining German fortunes in Russia. As in his other films, notably u0026quot;The Wild Bunchu0026quot;, Peckinpah utilizes his now famous slow-motion technique to illustrate the violence and show the effects of the destruction. James Coburn stars as the battle wise Sgt. Steiner who has survived the war thus far by his wits. Maximillian Schell plays his aristocratic Captain whose main goal is the pursuit of the Iron Cross, Germanyu0026#39;s highest decoration and who will go to any lengths to get it. James Mason is the Company commander and David Warner is his adjutant. Coburn is excellent in the lead who continues to do his duty in spite of the inevitability of impending defeat. Schell is suitably ambitious and cunning as the chief villain and Mason and Warner convey the hopelessness of the situation while maintaining stiff upper lips. u0026quot;Cross of Ironu0026quot;, in itu0026#39;s uncut version (132 minutes) ranks as one of the greatest of all WWII films in my opinion. One of Peckinpahu0026#39;s best.”