Review of Cross of Iron (1977) by Alistair N — 19 Jan 2009
Deliberately alienating and hard to watch film, the combines a surrealistic filming style with a gritty realism to attempt to bring to life the suspension of normal human logic and behaviour during the time of war.
Interestingly for an American film, issues of class are the main issue, with Coburn's working class soldier at war with his superiors and worshipped by his fellow soldiers. Schell contributes a very strong performance, giving more depth to his ambitious, scheming but cowardly officer, adding a level of nobility and humanity to what could have been a cliche.
Coburn is steely and cynical, and rarely extends the part beyond that. Solid supporting turns abound, with Warner's aide adding some black humour. The horror of war is well shown with some deliberatly unsettling editing choices, although a 'calmer' section at a military hospital is less satisfying.
Peckinpah's vision is perhaps over long and needs more focus - Schell and Coburn in particular need more screen time for their rivalry to make sense and to make it a logical centre piece to the film.
Plenty to admire, but not much to like in this film, it caters to those who want to feel they have experienced something when watching a film rather than being an observer.
This review of Cross of Iron (1977) was written by Alistair N on 19 Jan 2009.
Cross of Iron has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
