German commander Hauptmann Stransky places a squad in extreme danger after Sergeant Rolf Steiner refuses to lie for him.German commander Hauptmann Stransky places a squad in extreme danger after Sergeant Rolf Steiner refuses to lie for him.German commander Hauptmann Stransky places a squad in extreme danger after Sergeant Rolf Steiner refuses to lie for him.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 1 nomination
Fred Stillkrauth
- Unteroffizier (Cpl.) Schnurrbart ('Private Mustache')
- (as Fred Stillkraut)
Véronique Vendell
- Marga
- (as Veronique Vendell)
Demeter Bitenc
- Capt. Pucher
- (uncredited)
Thomas Braut
- Unteroffizier Feldwebel (S
- (German version)
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
- …
Heinz Engelmann
- Oberst (Col.) Brandt
- (German version)
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
Igor Galo
- Leutnant (Lt.) Meyer
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFilmed in Yugoslavia with money put up by a West German porn producer.
- GoofsThe Soviet planes that bomb the German trench system are actually U.S. Navy Vought F4U Corsairs. You can even see the U.S. military markings on them.
- Quotes
Colonel Brandt: What will we do when we have lost the war?
Captain Kiesel: Prepare for the next one.
- Crazy creditsThe End Credits in the North American BETA/VHS & DVD versions contain the quote: "Don't rejoice in his defeat, you men. For though the world stood up and stopped the bastard,The bitch that bore him is in heat again." Bertolt Brecht
- Alternate versionsVCD (Video CD) by Ocean Shores is 133 minute R Rated version. Featuring some extra profanity and brutality.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Breakthrough (1979)
- SoundtracksHänschen klein
(uncredited)
Traditional
Featured review
One of the Best Movies of War of the 70's
In 1943, in the Russian front, the decorated leader Rolf Steiner (James Coburn) is promoted to Sergeant after another successful mission. Meanwhile the upper-class and arrogant Prussian Captain Hauptmann Stransky (Maximilian Schell) is assigned as the new commander of his squad. After a bloody battle of Steiner's squad against the Russian troops led by the brave Lieutenant Meyer (Igor Galo) that dies in the combat, the coward Stransky claims that he led his squad against the Russian and requests to be awarded with the Iron of Cross to satisfy his personal ambition together with his aristocratic family. Stransky gives the names of Steiner and of the homosexual Lieutenant Triebig (Roger Fritz) as witnesses of his accomplishment, but Steiner, who has problems with the chain of command in the army and with the arrogance of Stransky, refuses to participate in the fraud. When Colonel Brandt (James Mason) gives the order to leave the position in the front, Stransky does not retransmit the order to Steiner's squad, and they are left alone surrounded by the enemy and having to fight to survive.
The impact of "Iron Cross" in the 70's was amazing and even thirty years later and having watched this movie for the third time, it is still one of the best war movies of the 70's. The story disclosed from the German side, showing German soldiers as human beings was quite unusual in that decade. James Coburn has one of the best performances in his filmography, in the role of an experienced rebel soldier from the lower classes, hardened by the war, but committed with his subordinates and exerting a perfect leadership. On the other side, Maximilian Schell is also perfect in the role of an arrogant aristocrat aiming only be awarded with a medal and capable to step on his men. The scenarios and the action scenes are awesome, and the battles have an amazing choreography, with Sam Peckinpah still in good shape. Senta Berger has a minor participation, but her beauty was impressive, and I believe this was the last time that I saw a movie with this actress. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "A Cruz de Ferro" ("The Iron Cross")
The impact of "Iron Cross" in the 70's was amazing and even thirty years later and having watched this movie for the third time, it is still one of the best war movies of the 70's. The story disclosed from the German side, showing German soldiers as human beings was quite unusual in that decade. James Coburn has one of the best performances in his filmography, in the role of an experienced rebel soldier from the lower classes, hardened by the war, but committed with his subordinates and exerting a perfect leadership. On the other side, Maximilian Schell is also perfect in the role of an arrogant aristocrat aiming only be awarded with a medal and capable to step on his men. The scenarios and the action scenes are awesome, and the battles have an amazing choreography, with Sam Peckinpah still in good shape. Senta Berger has a minor participation, but her beauty was impressive, and I believe this was the last time that I saw a movie with this actress. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "A Cruz de Ferro" ("The Iron Cross")
helpful•205
- claudio_carvalho
- Nov 18, 2007
- How long is Cross of Iron?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $6,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $201
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content