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Cross of Iron

1977·Movie
2h 13min·R
72
GoodGoodWatch score

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Relentless energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Nerve-racking and brutally violent

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension9
  • Violence9
  • Adrenaline8

Heart

Moving and melancholic

  • Pathos7
  • Melancholy7
  • Catharsis7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor4
  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Satire & Parody3

World

War, history, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and characters

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Standout cinematography

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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You need an uplifting moodGraphic violence bothers youYou want something quiet and calm

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

On the Eastern front in 1943, the German soldiers no longer had any ideals. They were not fighting for the Party—but for their lives!

It is 1943, and the German army—ravaged and demoralised—is hastily retreating from the Russian front. In the midst of the madness, conflict brews between the aristocratic yet ultimately pusillanimous Captain Stransky and the courageous Corporal Steiner. Stransky is the only man who believes that the Third Reich is still vastly superior to the Russian army. However, within his pompous persona lies a quivering coward who longs for the Iron Cross so that he can return to Berlin a hero. Steiner, on the other hand is cynical, defiantly non-conformist and more concerned with the safety of his own men rather than the horde of military decorations offered to him by his superiors.
War DramaEastern FrontAnti-WarMoral ConflictHistorical SettingPsychological ImpactBleak AtmosphereBrutal Realism

Sequels and Prequels

Media

Questions about Cross of Iron

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Cross of Iron legally?

Cross of Iron is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, Cultpix, and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Cross of Iron worth watching?

72
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 72/100 (IMDb 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes 71%, and Metacritic 64). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Cross of Iron rated?

RViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery.

How long is Cross of Iron?

2 h 13 min

Cross of Iron runs 2 h 13 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Cross of Iron?

Critics68
Audiences78

Not quite. Audiences rate Cross of Iron higher (78) than critics (68). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was Cross of Iron a box office hit?

Budget$6 million
Box office$2 million

No. It cost about $6 million to make and earned $2 million worldwide, 25% of its budget.

What language is Cross of Iron in?

EnglishGermanFrenchRussian

It was made in English, with some German, French, Russian. Produced in Germany, United Kingdom.

In how many countries can I watch Cross of Iron?

110AEAGARATAUBBBEBGBHBMBOBRBSCA+96

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Cross of Iron in 110 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Cross of Iron use?

Cruel MercyNew MeatMeaningful NameThe Enemy Weapons Are BetterSole SurvivorBookendsAristocrats Are EvilShout-OutEverybody Calls Him "Barkeep"God Is EvilTranslation ConventionGassholeand 58 more

TV Tropes lists 70 storytelling tropes for Cross of Iron, including Cruel Mercy, New Meat, Meaningful Name.