Cross of Iron
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Sam Peckinpah (director) |
| Products | War film |
Cross of Iron (original German title: Steiner – Das Eiserne Kreuz) is a 1977 war film helmed by director Sam Peckinpah. The cast features James Coburn, Maximilian Schell, James Mason, and David Warner. Set during the Soviet Caucasus campaign on the Eastern Front in late 1943, the narrative focuses on the clash between a noble Prussian officer determined to earn the Iron Cross and a disillusioned, seasoned infantry NCO.
This film was produced through a collaboration between British and West German investors, with principal photography conducted on-site in Yugoslavia.
Plot
Corporal Rolf Steiner, an experienced soldier of the Wehrmacht, operates on the Eastern Front. During an operation, his unit takes a young Russian soldier prisoner. Captain Stransky arrives to assume command of Steiner's battalion, having transferred from occupied France with the ambition of obtaining the Iron Cross. Stransky orders the execution of the captive, but Steiner objects; Corporal Schnurrbart conceals the boy.
Though promoted to senior sergeant, Steiner remains detached. Stransky uncovers that his adjutant, Lieutenant Triebig, is secretly homosexual—a capital offense in the German military. Amid an assault, Lieutenant Meyer is killed while leading a counterattack; Steiner sustains injuries and is hospitalized.
Upon recovery and after a brief romantic involvement with a nurse portrayed by Senta Berger, Steiner refuses leave and returns to his unit. He discovers that Stransky has been put forward for an Iron Cross for Meyer’s counterattack and is coercing witnesses to corroborate his version. Colonel Brandt hopes Steiner will reveal Stransky’s dishonesty, but Steiner expresses contempt for all officers instead.
When ordered to withdraw, Steiner’s platoon receives no briefing from Stransky and must navigate enemy-held terrain. They capture female Russian soldiers; one is killed resisting assault by Nazi Party member Zoll, who is subsequently confined by Steiner alongside the women. Disguised in their uniforms, they approach German lines but come under fire due to Stransky’s betrayal. Only Steiner and two comrades survive; Steiner kills Triebig and names Krüger as platoon leader before pursuing Stransky.
As Soviet forces initiate a major offensive, Brandt commands evacuation but rallies troops for a counterattack. Steiner locates Stransky and offers him a weapon, inviting him to witness where "Iron Crosses grow." Together they advance into battle. The film concludes with Stransky struggling to reload while under fire from a young Russian soldier resembling the earlier prisoner; Steiner laughs as credits roll over images depicting wartime civilian casualties.
Cast
- James Coburn as Feldwebel Rolf Steiner
- Maximilian Schell as Hauptmann Stransky
- James Mason as Oberst Brandt
- David Warner as Hauptmann Kiesel
- Klaus Löwitsch as Unteroffizier Krüger
- Vadim Glowna as Schütze Kern
- Roger Fritz as Leutnant Triebig
- Dieter Schidor as Gefreiter Anselm
- Burkhard Driest as Oberschütze Maag
- Fred Stillkrauth as Obergefreiter Karl "Schnurrbart" Reisenauer
- Michael Nowka as Schütze Dietz
- Véronique Vendell as Marga
- Arthur Brauss as Schütze Zoll
- Senta Berger as Eva
- Igor Galo as Leutnant Meyer
- Slavko Štimac as Russian Boy
- Demeter Bitenc as Hauptmann Pucher
- Vladan Živković as Gefreiter Wolf
- Bata Kameni as Gefreiter Joseph Keppler
- Hermina Pipinić as Soviet Major
Pre-production
Cross of Iron emerged as a collaborative Anglo-German venture involving EMI Films, ITC Entertainment, and Rapid Films GmbH. Despite West German producer Wolf C. Hartwig securing a budget of $4 million, only a portion was accessible during pre-production, which led to setbacks as local crews insisted on upfront payments.
In July 1975, EMI Films revealed the project—then named Sergeant Steiner—as part of an £6 million package comprising eleven films, with Robert Shaw initially slated to star.
Writing
The screenplay was crafted by Julius Epstein, James Hamilton, and Walter Kelley, adapting Willi Heinrich’s 1956 novel The Willing Flesh. The book draws loosely from the experiences of Wehrmacht non-commissioned officer Johann Schwerdfeger (1914–2015), a highly decorated veteran of the Battle of the Caucasus and the Kuban pocket.
Filming
Principal photography commenced on March 29, 1976, taking place in Trieste, Italy, and locations across Yugoslavia, including areas near Obrov in Slovenia as well as Zagreb and Savudrija in Croatia. Interior scenes were filmed at Pinewood Studios in England.
The production is distinguished by its use of authentic military hardware such as Soviet T-34/85 tanks supplied by the Yugoslav People's Army, Russian PPSh-41 submachine guns, along with German MG 42 and MP40 firearms. Nevertheless, financial limitations caused delays when much of the anticipated military equipment was not available at the start of shooting.
Director Peckinpah’s struggle with alcoholism further disrupted the schedule; he regularly consumed potent Šljivovica and underwent periods of heavy drinking that resulted in lost filming days. These interruptions contributed to £2 million in budget overruns. By July 6, 1976—after 89 days of shooting—co-producers Hartwig and Alex Winitsky attempted to terminate production before completing the final scenes. With expenses reaching $6 million and no additional funding secured, an improvised conclusion was quickly shot after lead actor James Coburn had the producers removed from the set.
Post production
Peckinpah dedicated five weeks to editing, working four to five hours each day while increasingly dependent on cocaine in combination with alcohol. Drawing upon techniques from his 1969 Western The Wild Bunch, he developed the film’s rhythm and visual approach, notably employing slow motion during violent sequences to intensify their effect.
Box office
At its release, the film struggled at the US box office and received varied critical responses. Its somber, anti-war message was largely eclipsed by the blockbuster phenomenon of Star Wars released the same year. Conversely, it achieved significant success in West Germany, earning more at the box office than any film since The Sound of Music, and was well received by European audiences and critics alike.
Critical
Vincent Canby of The New York Times described it as "Mr. Peckinpah's least interesting, least personal film in years," criticizing its fragmented battle scenes. Variety characterized it as an antiwar movie that highlights Peckinpah's talent for graphic action but ultimately dwells excessively on violence. Gene Siskel from the Chicago Tribune awarded it half a star, questioning its overall intent. Los Angeles Times critic Kevin Thomas found it a tiresome spectacle lacking intellectual depth, while Gary Arnold of The Washington Post labeled it a "peculiarly pointless" action film that loses narrative focus. According to Filmcritic.com, Peckinpah’s indulgence in extended combat sequences detracted from storytelling.
Among notable admirers are Quentin Tarantino, who cited it as an influence for Inglourious Basterds, and Orson Welles, who regarded it as the finest war film about ordinary soldiers since All Quiet on the Western Front. In a 2011 Blu-ray assessment, Iain Johnstone praised it as a classic and one of Peckinpah's best works, emphasizing its unflinching depiction of war’s brutality. Mike Mayo referred to it as a "forgotten masterpiece" hampered by troubled production circumstances, while Jay Hyams noted that it marked Peckinpah’s first depiction of uniformed soldiers on both sides. Actor James Coburn considered it among his favorite performances; it is often ranked as one of his finest later roles.
The film holds a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 20 reviews.
Sequel
The 1979 movie Breakthrough, mainly funded by West German backers, was helmed by Anglo-American director Andrew McLaglen, who is recognized for his work on Western films. Diverging from the original, the setting shifted from Russia to the Western Front, with Richard Burton stepping in for Coburn as Sgt Steiner. The storyline centers on Steiner rescuing an American officer (Robert Mitchum) amidst a conspiracy to kill Adolf Hitler, but the film was widely criticized for its convoluted narrative, poor dialogue, and lackluster acting.
Re-release
In June 2011, Cross of Iron saw a Blu-ray reissue, accompanied by special screenings at select cinemas across the UK to capitalize on revived audience interest.