A film for any teenager going into the military

Rating: 10/10 (15 April 2005)

'Cross of Iron', to me, is Sam Peckinpah's last great film and his least screened. I would like U.S. to change that. 'Cross of Iron' is standing the test of time, which is the sole criteria of what makes a 'CLASSIC'. In this particular case I dare use the most over used word in the film dictionary for its truth can be viewed by any generation and its point comes through in a way the audience can identify with it on some level. 'Cross of Iron' goes against type from the beginning. The film is told from the German's point of view. Returning from a patrol on the Russian front in WWII, our hero Steiner and his platoon find a new commander, an arrogant Prussian officer who wants the 'Cross of Iron' although he lacks the heroic act needed to earn Germany's highest military honor. War weary disillusioned and traumatized Steiner stands between the aristocrats son with a silver spoon in his mouth and Germany's highest Military Honor 'Cross of Iron' even though he does not even remotely deserve, much less has he done anything to earn one.
Strip away the scenery and props 'Cross of Iron' is a morality play. The morale between the classes, Steiner represents the common man, the Officer is the one from money and power. 'Cross of Iron' is also about the morality in and of honor; honor to one's self, honor to one's cause (or purpose of being) and honor to those who gave their lives for their purpose of being, dying for what they believe to be the highest good for all.
The graphic portrayal of the horrors of war are presented as a character, not to glorify violence or the savage vicious brutality of war, rather for we the audience to decide for ourselves our own morality of honor in the middle of the meat hook reality of War being Hell. For this reason alone, I feel every 17 year old in America would do themselves a favor to see this film.
I relate George W. Bush to the Prussian officer who wants the 'Cross of Iron' to feed his egotistical sociopath delusions of grandeur, no matter of deservability AND no matter of how many lives are lost to get it. This revaluation came to me during my second viewing of this film, which made it all the more contemporary to view in that foul year of their Lord, 2001. May God have mercy on our souls.
Fletch