Iron Cross: is the film inspired by a true story?

Against the backdrop of World War II, James Coburn and Maximilian Schell oppose their moral principles in cross of iron, broadcast this Monday, November 20, 2023 at 8:50 p.m. on Arte. So, is this film inspired by a true story?

The Second World War is an inexhaustible backdrop for the seventh art. Of River Kwai Bridge (1957) to The longest day (1962), through A bridge too far (1977), The boat (1981), Schindler’s List (1993), or We have to save the soldier Ryan (1998), she has always greatly inspired Hollywood directors. While some have tried it more recently, like Clint Eastwood or Christopher Nolan, the war film had its heyday between the 1960s and 1980s. In the tradition of the genre, cross of iron arrived in cinemas in 1977.

After which famous WWII battle the film cross of iron is it taking place?

This is perhaps not the best-known feature film by Sam Peckinpah, who had especially made an impression a few years earlier with his masterpiece: The wild horde (1969), or Straw dogs two years later. His only war film nonetheless remains a gem of the genre. cross of iron therefore takes place on the Russian front during the Second World War. In 1943, shortly after their heavy defeat at Stalingrad, German troops retreated towards Crimea. Having just returned from a reconnaissance mission, Master Corporal Rolf Steiner finds himself under the orders of Captain Stransky, a German aristocrat ready to do anything to obtain the Iron Cross, the highest military distinction.

Sam Peckinpah-James Coburn, third

Opposed by their personality and their conception of war, the two men quickly develop a deep enmity. In front of his goal, Sam Peckinpah forcefully shatters the myth of the hero and reunites with James Coburn for the third time after Major Dundee (1965) et Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973). Facing him, the little-known but charismatic Maximilian Schell. SO cross of iron is it inspired by a true story? Not quite. This film is an adaptation of the book Men’s skin (written by Willi Heinrich and published in 1956). However, this work would itself be inspired by the life and exploits of Johann Schwerdfeger, a German non-commissioned officer who received numerous awards during the Second World War. He is notably a recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (the third grade of this prestigious medal), awarded for exceptional bravery on a battlefield.