Cross Of Iron (Bluray) (1 Viewer)

[UKReb]

Yesterday during a mad moment I purchased this new re-release (un-cut version) on Bluray even though I still have the VHS & DVD releases. Glad I did as it looks and sounds absolutely superb especially on a 60" Plasma. This is a British release of the US film and whoever has cleaned this up has done a top professional job as there was always too much grain and sound pops on the previous truncated incarnations.

I wont make a hyperbolic statement of "the greatest war movie" because it aint as it has it's flaws but this latest viewing has definitely put it in my top five for numerous reasons.

By the time Peckinpah made this in 1977 he was already a mental wreck and in an advanced state of alcoholism drinking up to four bottles of vodka/Scotch everyday of the shoot. Yet there are so many brilliantly staged scenes in this film that just scream "classic". Very few US war movies have demythologised the German soldier so effectively as this film does-these guys are not the usual Nazi robots fighting and dying for the Fuhrer and the Fatherland-they are fighting for their own survival as the Eastern Front collapses and the German army retreats.

From the very opening of the famous "Der Kinderlied" overplaying the preface montage Peckinpah masterfully draws you into the cast and story and I can almost forgive him for the abrupt and slightly ridiculous ending (they simply ran out of money and he had to improvise as the studio shut down the bank).

No doubt like most of you guys on here I have seen the film a number of times albeit not for the last 10 years but I'm sure glad I passed over £10.00 of my hard earned cash for this copy. And with the plethora of current discussions here on the forum for WWII Russian figures this movie would be perfect reference material to construct some pretty impressive dios. If it was my collecting era I certainly would use it.

Reb

 

[lancer]

Yesterday during a mad moment I purchased this new re-release (un-cut version) on Bluray even though I still have the VHS & DVD releases. Glad I did as it looks and sounds absolutely superb especially on a 60" Plasma. This is a British release of the US film and whoever has cleaned this up has done a top professional job as there was always too much grain and sound pops on the previous truncated incarnations.

I wont make a hyperbolic statement of "the greatest war movie" because it aint as it has it's flaws but this latest viewing has definitely put it in my top five for numerous reasons.

By the time Peckinpah made this in 1977 he was already a mental wreck and in an advanced state of alcoholism drinking up to four bottles of vodka/Scotch everyday of the shoot. Yet there are so many brilliantly staged scenes in this film that just scream "classic". Very few US war movies have demythologised the German soldier so effectively as this film does-these guys are not the usual Nazi robots fighting and dying for the Fuhrer and the Fatherland-they are fighting for their own survival as the Eastern Front collapses and the German army retreats.

From the very opening of the famous "Der Kinderlied" overplaying the preface montage Peckinpah masterfully draws you into the cast and story and I can almost forgive him for the abrupt and slightly ridiculous ending (they simply ran out of money and he had to improvise as the studio shut down the bank).

No doubt like most of you guys on here I have seen the film a number of times albeit not for the last 10 years but I'm sure glad I passed over £10.00 of my hard earned cash for this copy. And with the plethora of current discussions here on the forum for WWII Russian figures this movie would be perfect reference material to construct some pretty impressive dios. If it was my collecting era I certainly would use it.

Reb

Hi Reb. Always enjoyed this movie (Coburn was great), even with the make-shift ending. Are there any new or added scenes to this un-cut version? Re-releases sometimes have "found" footage. -- Al

 

[Mitch]

nothing better than a very well done WWII film and this is one of the best
Mitch

 

[PanzerAce1944]

I have this movie on dvd and watch it every year. Senta Berger was hot !!!

 

[UKReb]

Hi Reb. Always enjoyed this movie (Coburn was great), even with the make-shift ending. Are there any new or added scenes to this un-cut version? Re-releases sometimes have "found" footage. -- Al

Hi Al

I believe that the heavily censored scenes which did not appear on some of the previous home releases have been fully re-instated for this edition. i.e. Steiner's men bathing with the Russian women soldiers now gives you the full final impact as per the cinema release; also the shooting of the very young Russian boy soldier is shown in full rather than it's previous truncated version.

What is interesting are some of the extras on the disc-

Cutting Room Floor where they discuss some of Sam's scenes that never made the final cut.

A 30min doc/interviews and on location footage and a brilliant hour documentary entitled "Peckinpah's War"

As I said in my OP this particular Bluray version deserves all the plaudits it should receive for bringing back to cinematic life a darn fine war movie.

Bob

 

[bromhead]

I have this movie on dvd and watch it every year. Senta Berger was hot !!!

yes she was,,I have a child hood memory of brigette B with that so wild thing hair in the fifties when the lucille ball -all my mothers friends look was popular,,by jove that could explain my hair twenty something wild thing female hair fetish to this day couldnt it.?

 

[uksubs]

Hi Al

I believe that the heavily censored scenes which did not appear on some of the previous home releases have been fully re-instated for this edition. i.e. Steiner's men bathing with the Russian women soldiers now gives you the full final impact as per the cinema release; also the shooting of the very young Russian boy soldier is shown in full rather than it's previous truncated version.

What is interesting are some of the extras on the disc-

Cutting Room Floor where they discuss some of Sam's scenes that never made the final cut.

A 30min doc/interviews and on location footage and a brilliant hour documentary entitled "Peckinpah's War"

As I said in my OP this particular Bluray version deserves all the plaudits it should receive for bringing back to cinematic life a darn fine war movie.

Bob

Cheer for the Intell Bob , the start of the film when they take out the mortar pit out is excellent, only got a copy on wide screen last year & if I get this copy it will be the four version {sm3}

 

[lancer]

Hi Al

I believe that the heavily censored scenes which did not appear on some of the previous home releases have been fully re-instated for this edition. i.e. Steiner's men bathing with the Russian women soldiers now gives you the full final impact as per the cinema release; also the shooting of the very young Russian boy soldier is shown in full rather than it's previous truncated version.

What is interesting are some of the extras on the disc-

Cutting Room Floor where they discuss some of Sam's scenes that never made the final cut.

A 30min doc/interviews and on location footage and a brilliant hour documentary entitled "Peckinpah's War"

As I said in my OP this particular Bluray version deserves all the plaudits it should receive for bringing back to cinematic life a darn fine war movie.

Bob

Thanks for answering, Bob. I think the DVD I have is uncut. Always been sorry that Peckinpah was unable to finish this show as he wanted. He had his share of problems. Too bad as I am a fan of his movies. The Wild Bunch was a turning point in American movies. -- Al

 

[Spitfrnd]

Yesterday during a mad moment I purchased this new re-release (un-cut version) on Bluray even though I still have the VHS & DVD releases. Glad I did as it looks and sounds absolutely superb especially on a 60" Plasma. This is a British release of the US film and whoever has cleaned this up has done a top professional job as there was always too much grain and sound pops on the previous truncated incarnations.

I wont make a hyperbolic statement of "the greatest war movie" because it aint as it has it's flaws but this latest viewing has definitely put it in my top five for numerous reasons.

By the time Peckinpah made this in 1977 he was already a mental wreck and in an advanced state of alcoholism drinking up to four bottles of vodka/Scotch everyday of the shoot. Yet there are so many brilliantly staged scenes in this film that just scream "classic". Very few US war movies have demythologised the German soldier so effectively as this film does-these guys are not the usual Nazi robots fighting and dying for the Fuhrer and the Fatherland-they are fighting for their own survival as the Eastern Front collapses and the German army retreats.

From the very opening of the famous "Der Kinderlied" overplaying the preface montage Peckinpah masterfully draws you into the cast and story and I can almost forgive him for the abrupt and slightly ridiculous ending (they simply ran out of money and he had to improvise as the studio shut down the bank).

No doubt like most of you guys on here I have seen the film a number of times albeit not for the last 10 years but I'm sure glad I passed over £10.00 of my hard earned cash for this copy. And with the plethora of current discussions here on the forum for WWII Russian figures this movie would be perfect reference material to construct some pretty impressive dios. If it was my collecting era I certainly would use it.

Reb

Thanks Bob, I always appreciate your film recommendations and I was thinking about this one. Your praise has inspired me to put thought to action.^&cool

 

[chasbo]

Purchased DVD a few years back Sam Peckinpahs "eastern" western. Some very good knock down dragout fight scenes that appear pretty realistic. Watched movie once but watch DVD to see battle sequences many times. Beginning is good with that nursey rhyme and historic footage blending into the beginning of film. cheers