A great war classic

Rating: 8/10 (30 January 2020)

Based on a German novel named "The Willing Flesh", this is another classic movie from master Director Sam Peckinpah which offers a very interesting perspective on WWII as it is one of the few movies where the action is centered around German troops. So instead of the usual "good allied vs. evil nazis", the film's key message is that war is a nasty business, regardless of which uniform you are wearing. It is not casual that Orson Welles described it as the best anti-war movie since "All quiet on the Western Front". Shot in former Yugoslavia, and despite a troubled production history (Peckinpah was reportedly sober only for a few hours a day during production) the movie offers some fantastic action scenes in typical Peckinpah style, with lots of gore (at least for the time) and slow motion explosions, while exposing the increasing madness of a war that nobody seems to understand. James Coburn, while somewhat a bit over aged for the role, offers a memorable performance as indomitable corporal/sergeant Steiner, supported by an equally talented cast. Steiner's only goal is surviving in hell and helping his comrades to stay alive as well. The music is also perfectly written for the movie. It just falls short of being a masterpiece but remains a brilliant statement about the absurdity of war. Interesting fact: in the original script, Steiner and Stransky die together as Steiner intentionally blows up a hand grenade. In the movie, as the production had run out of money, Coburn (with Peckinpah unable to direct) had to improvise the end: the result is perfectly in tune with everything you have seen throughout the film. My favorite quote from the movie:
"...and I will show you where iron crosses grow"