Based on the novel by Will Heinrich, Sam Peckinpah’s only war film is an intense and uncompromising affair that brilliantly reflects both the futility of conflict and the director’s fascination with individuals confronted by events beyond their control.
A World War II tale told from the German perspective, Cross Of Iron follows a platoon of German soldiers in Russia when the German Wehrmacht forces had been decimated and the Germans were retreating along the Russian front. Rolf Steiner (James Coburn) is a German corporal and recipient of the Iron Cross who has grown disenchanted with Hitler’s war machine. When Captain Stransky (Maximilian Schell) assumes charge, the pair are thrown into immediate conflict, the autocratic but ultimately cowardly Stransky coveting the loyalty and honor Steiner commands.
Evocatively shot by John Coquillon (Billy the Kid) in somber tones to emphasize the horrors of combat, the superlative lead performances are matched by David Warner and James Mason as war-weary senior officers. Viewed as one of Peckinpah’s most powerful works, it’s an unflinching vision of the Second World War.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- BRAND NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM
- HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
- NEW Promoting STEINER (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- NEW STEINER on the set (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- NEW Filming STEINER (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- NEW Filming STEINER pt 2 (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- NEW STEINER in colour (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- Audio Commentary by filmmaker and film historian Mike Siegel
- On Location: Sam Peckinpah (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- On Location: James Coburn (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- On Location: Maximilian Schell (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- On Location: James Mason (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- On Location: David Warner (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- Passion and Poetry: Sam Peckinpah’s War (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- Kruger Kisses Kern (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- Vadim & Sam: Father & Son (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- Cutting Room Floor (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- Steiner in Japan: Ads filmed in 1977 (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- Mike’s Home Movies: Steiner & Kiesel Meet Again (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- US/UK Trailer (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- German Trailer (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- US TV Spot (Steelbook & Blu-Ray only)
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
4k UHD All Region
Blu-Ray Region B (unconfirmed) _ please see our FAQ if you are unsure if you can play it
