Cross of Iron (1977), directed by Sam Peckinpah, is a stark and intense war film based on the 1955 novel The Willing Flesh by Willi Heinrich. Set on the Eastern Front in 1943, the film provides a harrowing look at the lives of German soldiers during World War II.

The story follows Corporal Rolf Steiner, played by James Coburn, a seasoned and cynical soldier who finds himself at odds with his new commanding officer, Captain Stransky, portrayed by Maximilian Schell. Stransky, an aristocratic Prussian with no frontline experience, is driven by a personal ambition to earn the Iron Cross, a prestigious German military decoration. His relentless pursuit of glory is contrasted sharply with Steiner’s disillusionment and disdain for the

war and its hierarchical structures.

As the Soviet forces launch a significant offensive, Stransky orders Steiner’s platoon on a perilous mission to hold a strategic position. The resulting battle is depicted with brutal realism, highlighting the senselessness and horror of warfare. Stransky’s incompetence and cowardice become evident, and he tries to claim credit for Steiner’s bravery while undermining his own failures.

Cross of Iron is acclaimed for its gritty, realistic portrayal of combat and its critical examination of military honor and hierarchy. Peckinpah’s direction underscores the brutality and futility of war, offering a powerful and poignant commentary on the human cost of conflict.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AonZdAfEQgA