Forget "Saving Private Ryan"

Rating: 9/10 (15 February 2005)

I saw some of the comments on this movie, and I shook my head in disbelief...this is perhaps the best WW2 movie ever made, and I'm in good company in recommending this film; Orson Welles said "Cross Of Iron" was the best film about fighting men ever made.
"Saving Private Ryan" may get tons of plaudits, but apart from a diligent art department getting hold of the proper uniforms and equipment, and the docu-drama camera-work, Spielberg's work is just another one of his cheesefests with a visceral opening scene. "Cross Of Iron" captures the cynicism, the inner conflicts and the bleakness of war on the Eastern Front. Peckinpah's style of slow motion cross cutting works excellently here and for history buffs, the uniforms and equipment are spot on (real T-34 tanks, not American Shermans or Pattons painted up). Top Hollywood actors such as Coburn and Mason blend in very well with a great German supporting cast (Klaus Lowitsch as the unit slob, Corporal Kruger, is particularly good) but it's the ever excellent David Warner who steals every scene.
Those who say "this isn't a good film" really need their tastes re-examining.