Cross of Iron is a 1977 drama war film directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring 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 utilizing 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 in the Crimea.
The movie, Sam Peckinpah's only war film, is a forgotten masterpiece. While Peckinpah had directed "many films about battles between groups of armed men...this was the first in which both sides wear uniforms."
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Farhad2000Best anti-war movie? I'd say so.
The lyrics to the famous 'Kinderlied' which is played over the montage at the beginning of the movie are, in German: Hänschen klein Geht allein In die weite Welt hinein. Stock und Hut Steht im gut, Ist gar wohlgemut. [first verse]
Which, translated, means: Little John He has gone Out to see the world alone Staff and hat, Look at that, He's one happy cat. But his mommy cries a lot Now she has no Johnny got. Fortune find, But you mind, Come back to your kind. Seven years, Joy and tears, John in many lands appears. Then he thought That he ought To go home and got - But now he's no Johnny small, No, he is now big John tall. Tall and tanned, Face and hand. Will they know this man? One, two, three Pass and see, Don't know who this man might be. Even Sis: "Who is this?" Knows not who he is. Then along comes mother dear, Barely sees his eyes so clear, Says: "My son, Welcome home, God bless you my son." [all verses]
Ah, the anxiety induced by a catastrophic world made up entirely of back-stabbers.
Colonel Brandt: What will we do when we have lost the war?
Captain Kiesel: Prepare for the next one.
Kern: Do you believe in God, Sergeant?
Sargeant Steiner: I believe God is a sadist, but probably doesn't even know it.
Captain Stransky: I will show you how a true Prussian officer fights.
Sargeant Steiner: Then I will show you, where the Iron Crosses grow.
DeanoGreat film. I remember finding this late at night and gradually becoming engrossed. It shows up the more recent efforts, like Saving Private Ryan, as shallow and inconsequential.
Sylvester_InkAgreed. Excellent movie, and one I particularly enjoy because it shows WWII from the German perspective. It also avoids falling into the regular "War Movie" trap of having stereotyped characters.
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