A very strong anti-war message film, set during World War II and told entirely from the German perspective. A German Army Sergeant doggedly struggles to keep his platoon intact while surviving the horrors of the Russian front in 1943.
Co-produced by Rapid Film GmBH and Terra Film Kunst (Germany). Production services by Palladium Film (Munich).
Color by Technicolor. Shot in Yugoslavia.
At the end of the film is a quote from Bertolt Brecht: "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."
Additional cast: Roger Fritz (Lt. Triebig), Vadim Glowna (Kern), Fred Stillkrauth (Schnurrbart), Burkhardt Driest (Maag), Dieter Schidor (Anselm), Michael Nowka (Dietz), Veronique Vendell (Marga), Arthur Brauss (Zoll), and Slavco Stimac (Russian Boy).
Additional credits: Joseph Satzinger (wardrobe supervisor), Helmut Klee (special effects), Evelyn Dohring (hairstylist)
Originally released on video in 1984.
Originally soundtrack album on EMI Records. Music recorded at the Music Centre, Wembley.
Copyright 1977 Rapid Film GmbH.
DVD Features:
Special Edition
Full Frame - 1.33
Widescreen - 1.78
Additional Release Material:
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Audio Commentary: Stephen Prince
Text/Photo Galleries:
Photo Gallery of German Lobby Cards
Director of Photography
John Coquillon:
Featured
Walter Kelley: Screenwriter/Cross Iron
Source Writer
Willi Heinrich: German Novelist
Writer
James Hamilton: Screenwriter - Cross of Iron
Special Effects
Richard Richtsfeld: Special Effects
Review 1:
"...[The film] retains a profound kinetic charge..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.62 07/01/2001
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