UK / West Germany,
1977, 127 min
Directed by:
Sam PeckinpahCinematography:
John CoquillonComposer:
Ernest GoldCast:
James Coburn, Maximilian Schell, James Mason, David Warner, Klaus Löwitsch, Vadim Glowna, Roger Fritz, Fred Stillkrauth, Véronique Vendell, Senta Berger (more)VOD (3)
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Sam Peckinpah's only war film follows the story of a doomed German platoon facing annihilation at the hands of the Russians in 1943. Non-Nazi German soldier Steiner (James Coburn) resents the arrival of arrogant Prussian Stransky (Maximilian Schell) as his new commanding officer. Stransky is desperate to win an Iron Cross - a medal Steiner has already earned, but considers worthless - and so promotes the highly-recommended Steiner to sergeant. During a siege, Stransky hides in his bunker, terrified of battle, only to later file a report claiming that he himself led a victorious counter-attack. However, when Steiner disputes this Stransky takes measures to remove him. (StudioCanal UK)
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