Cross of Iron

Cross of Iron is a 1977 film directed by Sam Peckinpah. James Coburn, James Mason, David Warner and Maximilian Schell co-star.

Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.

The story is about conflicts within the leadership of a regiment of the Wehrmacht during the German withdrawal from Soviet territory during World War II.

The film is noteworthy, as an American produced film with a World War II theme, in that the screenplay and story make no reference to the United States's involvement in the war. As such, it drew some criticism for casting in the roles of the lead characters - all of which are German officers - two English actors (Mason and Warner), one American (Coburn), and an Austrian (Schell).

As with most of Peckinpah's films, the on-screen action includes a substantial amount of very realistic violence.