Posts from The Ringo Kid in thread „Cross of Iron (1977)“

Thanks for the images Bill, as most know, this is my absolute most favorite all time--war movie.

Quote from Redcap

Hi All,
Ths film along with "Zulu" was used as motivational material during my basic training in the Australian Army. I must admit that both films made an impression on me. I thoroughly enjoyed James Coburn, James Mason and Maximilian Schell in their roles. Personally I don't think others would have got the chemistry that was there between the three of them.
Redcap

Hi Red, glad to see you back here. I feel the same way about the actors in Cross of Iron. The movie as a whole is simply unbeatable.

Oh and, thatnks to a very Generous Gent-he sent me as a B-day gift, a few of his Cross of Iron stills. I have these already on CD and if you would like them? please let me know. I think all told thaere are about 84 or so stills on the newest CD made.

Take care--Carl.

A bit of info on the "Real" Sgt Steiner.

His name was Johann Schwerdfeger, and he was a recipient of the Kinghts Cross may 17-43 and the 474th soldier to get the Oaks on: May14th 1944.

Born in Nov 24 1914, was in the military serving in Inf Rgmt 85 from 1935-1937. He participated in the invasions of Poland and the Soviet Union. as a trooper in: 3rd Battalion Inf Rgmt 186 of the 73rd Inf Div.

In the Summer of 1942 was in Jager Replacement Battalion 75 for the 228th Jager Regiment of the 101st Jager Division. Some of the battles he was in in the Eastern Front include: Charkow, Isjum, Kupjansk and the battles along the Don River Basin Area, Kamenz-Poldolsk the "Hube Kessel" was wounded on: May 14th 1944 as an Oberfeldwebel (Master Sergeant) and Platoon Leader in: 1st Btn Jgr Rgmt 228 of the 101st Jager Division. He was wounded on May 14th 1944-recievving the Gold Wound Badge-which means he was wounded previously and then no less than five times.

I forgot to mention that the character of Sergeant Steiner is actually based on a real person who was a Knights Cross Recipient and who did fight on the Eastern Front. I forget his name but can get it if I remember to do so? in a day or two.

Thank YOU Keith, for posting these for me ;-)) Now I am finally beginning to feel like im able to contribute something useful to this site by having some of my stills posted ;-))

The first still is of Colonel Brandt (James Mason) and this is after Stranskys replacement took command of his Company and Brandt is giving his Company Commanders the speech where they will regain their lost ground and push the Russians back to Moscow.

Still 2 is of Sergeant Steiner (James Coburn) and he and a few others ar eposing as captured Germans who are taken to Russian lines trying to make the Russians tink that the soldiers "guarding" these "PWs" lost their way when they are really trying to lead them all through the fluid Russian front lines.

These are the first Cross of Iron stills I have seen for sale in a long long time so is why I snagged these while I could.

ive loved this movie since I first watched it. Everything about the movie is top notch, the cast, the uniforms, the vehicles, the combat scenes-everything. Also, if you have both The Winds of War and War and Remembrance mini-series to watch, watch closely at some of the battle scenes that are between the germans and the Russians, and you will see that the producers of those mini-series borrowed many combat scenes from Cross of Iron.

that said, the cast is top notch and the German Actors were also very good. this is where I became a Klaus Lowitsch fan as well as a fan of the guy who plays UFFZ Kern, and the gent who plays Herr Schnerrbart. Maximilian Schell is absolutely perfect as Captain (Hauptmann) Stransky, James Mason was great as Col Brandt, and David Warner was also perfect as Hauptmann Kiesel.

As far as the militaria goes, the stuff shown is correct and also worn correctly. I read in one of the ""Goofs"" above that the ""Corporal"' (Obergefrieter) who was in charge of holding that truck (at the hospital) where Steiner was healing at-that his rank insignia wa that of a Senior Sergeant, that is soemthing i never noticed and will have to take alook at myself. I recall he was wearing ObGefr insignia-but will check next time I come across my DvD and watch it.

Pic nr 1 (Stransky by the side of a truck) was when the Captain first came to take over the command of his company. Steiner has just returned back from patrol where he captured that Russian boy.

Pic Nr 2) Was where he was being interviewed by Oberst Brandt and Hauptmann Kiesel and was after that combat action where Leutnant Meier was bayonetted and also where Steiner got his severe head wounds.

Pic Nr 3) Steiner and Herr Mustache's return from hospital and were being greeted by Kern.

The ""Goof"' part about the Russian "Tommyguns" being used by the Germans and allegedly "rechambered" to use the 9mM round is not exactly true. True they did rechameber a few tommyguns but mostly they used captured Russian ammo. If I have the chance soemtime soon? ill dig out my copy of; Island of Fire and a couple other books about the Russian Front, and can place here what the Germans themselves had said about using captured Russian weaponry. Mainly they used them because they were better and more rugged SMGs than their own MP-40s.