IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Cross of Iron (1977)
Cross of Iron
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Cross of Iron (1977) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   8,514 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 40% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Contact:
View company contact information for Cross of Iron on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 January 1977 (West Germany) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The Power of Peckinpah Has Never Been So Real...Or So Brilliant! more
Plot:
In 1943, in the Russian front, the decorated leader Rolf Steiner is promoted to Sergeant after another successful mission... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win more
User Comments:
A Military Favourite more (131 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)

James Coburn ... Unteroffizier / Feldwebel Rolf Steiner
Maximilian Schell ... Hauptmann Stransky

James Mason ... Oberst Brandt
David Warner ... Hauptmann Kiesel
Klaus Löwitsch ... Unteroffizier Krüger
Vadim Glowna ... Gefreiter Kern
Roger Fritz ... Leutnant Triebig
Dieter Schidor ... Anselm
Burkhard Driest ... Schütze Maag
Fred Stillkrauth ... Gefreiter Schnurrbart ('Private Mustache') (as Fred Stillkraut)
Michael Nowka ... Dietz
Véronique Vendell ... Marga
Arthur Brauss ... Pg. Zoll
Senta Berger ... Eva
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert Rietty ... German Officer (voice)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Steiner - Das Eiserne Kreuz (West Germany)
Croix de fer (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Cruz de Ferro (Brazil) [pt]
Gvozdeni krst (Serbia) [sr]
Järnkorset (Sweden) [sv]
Jernkorset - og sergent Steiner (Denmark) [da]
La croce di ferro (Italy) [it]
La cruz de Hierro (Spain) [es]
O sidirous stavros (Greece) [el]
Rautaristi (Finland) [fi]
Seref madalyasi (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Zelazny krzyz (Poland) [pl]
Zeljezni kriz (Croatia) [hr]
more
Runtime:
132 min | USA:119 min
Country:
Color:
Color (archive footage) | Black and White (archive footage) | Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
West Germany:16 | New Zealand:R18 | UK:X (original rating) | Australia:MA (cable rating) | Australia:M (alternate rating) | Australia:R (original rating) | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Italy:T | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (video rating) | USA:R | Singapore:NC-16
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This is the only ever war film that was directed by Sam Peckinpah. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: Lieutenant Triebig and Captain Stransky have an enlisted orderly to assist them. However, lieutenants and captains, because of their relatively low rank, were not authorized to have orderlies. more
Quotes:
Sargeant Steiner: You shoot him... sir.
Captain Stransky: I will... on the spot.
more
Movie Connections:
References The Last House on the Left (1972) more
Soundtrack:
Oh, Du wunderschöner Westerwald more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
40 out of 44 people found the following comment useful.
A Military Favourite, 2 September 2004
Author: vimhawk from London

I can't add much to these reviews except to comment that I've found this film to be a great favourite among real soldiers. I once got to deliver the classic line to a Major and a Captain about hating all officers. Luckily(?) they knew I was quoting from the film!

I'm not bothered about the assortment of accents in the cast (that others have mentioned). It seems to me that if you believe in their situation and have immersed yourself in the film, as it was easy for me to do, then you don't even notice them after a while. I would argue that the cast (in terms of dialogue) in Private Ryan is far more of a problem, since these seem to be 1990s guys transported back to 1944 and are far too 'knowing'. Moreover, in Private Ryan I kept stepping back from the film feeling that I was simply being manipulated by the director. COI is far more chilling. I really liked (if that's the word) a scene where an artillery explosion killed both Germans and Soviets. Kind of emphasises the 'war is hell' message without preaching or being manipulative.

I think Steiner is one of the greatest military characters ever to appear on film (for what its worth, Gregory Peck as Savage in Twelve O'Clock High, and Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain in Gettysburg are also up there). I must say I didn't really like the ending, but I can't suggest a better one, but as an alternate "ending" I would certainly recommend that people *do not* see the awful sequel 'Sergeant Steiner' with Richard Burton(!) as Steiner.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (131 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Cross of Iron (1977)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Why did Steiner... wotamovie1
One of The Greatest War Films ever! AntoniousBlok
Kruger in bunker? karsteneg
why is it rated an '18' or 'R' robert-veryard1-1
Corporal Steiner eddy-118
will this film be on blu ray anytime soon ??? joshrondamatthew
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
All Quiet on the Western Front Capitaine Conan Shock Die Blechtrommel Der Fangschuß
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb UK section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.