Cross of Iron

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Cross of Iron is a 1977 drama war film directed by Sam Peckinpah and stars James Coburn, James Mason, Maximilian Schell and David Warner. As with most of Peckinpah's films, the on-screen action includes a substantial amount of very realistic combat that utilizes his characteristic slow motion gunshot scenes.

Set in 1943 on the Eastern Front of World War II, the story revolves around the conflict between a newly-arrived, aristocratic officer who covets the Iron Cross and a cynical, battle-hardened platoon leader in a Wehrmacht regiment during the German retreat from the Taman Peninsula on the Black Sea coast of the Soviet Union.

The movie was based on the book The Willing Flesh, written by Willi Heinrich and published in 1956. The book may be loosely based on the true story of Johann Schwerdfeger.^[1] More recent printings of the book have been retitled Cross of Iron to tie in with the film and it is worth noting that there are several major differences between the book and film versions.^[2]

[edit] Critical views

The movie, Sam Peckinpah's only war film, "is a forgotten masterpiece that has never really managed to overcome its troubled production."^[3] While Peckinpah had directed "many films about battles between groups of armed men...this was the first in which both sides wear uniforms."^[4]

[edit] Plot

Cross of Iron is the combat story of a Wehrmacht infantry platoon in the Kuban bridgehead, on the WWII Eastern Front in 1943, led by Corporal Steiner (James Coburn). The story begins medias res as the Wehrmacht are enroute to the destiny foreshadowed by the film's opening montage of Adolf Hitler as leader, Hitler Youth, the Nazi invasion of the U.S.S.R. and their subsequent retreat underscored by the traditional volkslied (folk song) Hänschen klein as the soundtrack.

While on a reconnaissance patrol during which the platoon capture a young Russian boy-soldier, a new Prussian aristocrat officer, Captain Stransky (Maximilian Schell) arrives at their forward base. Demonstrating cold-bloodedness, Stransky orders Cpl. Steiner to shoot the boy prisoner, in strict observance of a Wehrmacht standing order of 'no prisoners'. When Steiner refuses, Stransky readies to shoot the boy himself, but at the last moment, Pvt. Schnurrbart saves the boy by claiming he will go do it himself, and walks away with the boy.

In conversation with the base commander, Colonel Brandt (James Mason), and his adjutant, Captain Kiesel (David Warner), an unenthusiastic man sick of war, Capt. Stransky claims he applied for transfer from occupied France to frontline duty in Russia so that he can win the Iron Cross, (the film's namesake, a combat bravery medal). Such a personally-revealing statement surprises the listening officers on account of its naïveté.

Stransky is then introduced to the experienced and battle-weary Steiner upon his return. Steiner is regarded as a legend among his German comrades, highly regarded and decorated despite his rather contemptuous attitude.

During a Soviet attack on their base, the newly-promoted Sergeant Steiner is wounded and Lieutenant Meyer (Igor Gallo) is killed while leading the defence. The young boy soldier is also killed by his own side as Steiner tries to release him. Steiner is sent to a military hospital to recover where he is haunted by the faces of the dead men and the boy, and has a romantic liaison with a nurse (Senta Berger). Upon returning to service, Sergeant Steiner is informed that Stransky, who had not participated in the combat, is claiming to have led the base defence and therefore entitled himself to receive the Iron Cross. He named his aide, Lieutenant Triebig (whom he blackmails due to his homosexuality) and Steiner as witnesses. Stransky hopes to persuade Steiner to corroborate his claim, by promising to financially aid him after the war.

Brandt then summons Steiner and questions him about Stransky's allegations in the hope that Steiner would expose Stransky's lies, but Steiner does not cooperate. When questioned why, he states that he hates all officers, even those as "enlightened" as Brandt and Kiesel, and asks a few days to give his answer.

When his company is ordered to retreat, Stransky does not pass the order to Steiner's unit, effectively abandoning Steiner and the platoon behind Soviet lines. Steiner and his men fight their way through the Soviet lines and eventually reach the German lines, sending a password by radio so they can cross no man's land.

Stransky upon learning about Steiner's return orders Triebig to have him killed. Triebig then orders Steiner's unit to be shot while approaching the German trenches resulting in almost all of them being killed. Only Steiner and a few others survive and Steiner kills Triebig and goes looking for Stransky. It is at this moment the Soviets launch an assault on the German positions.

Steiner upon finding Stransky, confronts him and contemplates shooting the officer, but instead seems to come to a sort of epiphany when Stransky demands "Where is the rest of your platoon?!" Steiner replies that "You are the rest of my platoon" and dares the officer to fight alongside him and prove his alleged valor.

Stransky also contemplates shooting Steiner at the first opportunity but he accepts Steiner's challenge, apparently out of a desire to prove his inherent Prussian superiority over Steiner. While they prepare for battle Stransky, posturing as a seasoned warrior, almost immediately dissolves into a puddle of fear and incompetence as they approach the gunfire.

The movie closes with a reprise of Hänschen klein as Stransky reveals his complete military inadequacies in contrast to Steiner's cool leadership: although not having yet encountered the enemy, Stransky has already emptied the magazine of his MP40 in panicked stumbling bursts. In his panic, Stransky shows that he doesn't know how to reload and pitifully begs Steiner for help. Steiner at first berates Stransky then begins laughing so hysterically that he almost collapses.

The closing credits include a slide show of civilian war victims, and a final quote by Berthold Brecht from his play The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui:

[edit] Production notes

Cross of Iron was a joint Anglo-German production between EMI Films and ITC Entertainment., London and Rapid Films GmbH, Munich.^[7]

The movie is noted for featuring realistic WWII gear and equipment as props, for example, Soviet T-34/85 tanks (once used in the Yugoslav Army) and German machine-guns, side-cars and AT guns.

The movie spawned a sequel, Breakthrough, a film that was "financed for the most part by West Germans, but was directed by an American, Andrew V. McLagen who, like Peckinpah, is known for westerns. As a concession to American audiences, the setting for Breakthrough became the Western Front; Richard Burton plays Sgt Steiner who becomes involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Hitler and saves the life of an American officer played by Robert Mitchum".^[8]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Cross of Iron at the Internet Movie Database
• Lyrics to "Hänschen klein" (in German)
• DVD details for Cross of Iron

de:Steiner – Das Eiserne Kreuz es:La cruz de hierro fr:Croix de fer (film) ja:戦争のはらわた fi:Rautaristi (elokuva)