Cross of Iron (1977)
Directed by
Sam Peckinpah
James Coburn .... Sgt. Rolf Steiner
"Men on the front lines of Hell."
The film opens with a squad of seasoned German soldiers, led by a disillusioned but skilled sergeant, on a patrol on the Russian front in WWII. They return to base to find a new commander, a traditional Prussian officer who wants only one thing from his command - An Iron Cross to maintain his family honour. The scene is set for a graphic portrayal of the horrors of war and of the conflict between two men of differing backgrounds.
Captain Stransky: Alright. I'll do it. I'will show you how a Prussian officer fights.
Sargeant Steiner: And I will show you where the Iron Crosses grow.