Cross of Iron (1977)
Kernel Score: 79% · 462 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Action, History, War
Released: 1977-01-29
Runtime: 132 minutes
Where to watch Cross of Iron
- Stream: Prime Video, Cultpix
- Rent: Prime Video
- Buy: Prime Video
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
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.
Cross of Iron parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Cross of Iron is an R-rated WWII war film depicting brutal combat on the Eastern Front.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — An R-rated war film centered on brutal battle and conflict between German and Russian troops in WWII.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Cross of Iron
If you liked Cross of Iron, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Fury (2014) — 87%
- The Thin Red Line (1998) — 85%
- Saving Private Ryan (1998) — 95%
- Kalashnikov AK-47 (2020) — 84%
- The Forgotten Battle (2021) — 80%
- Inglourious Basterds (2009) — 89%
- Gettysburg (1993) — 74%
- Kelly's Heroes (1970) — 83%
Director
Cast
- James Coburn as Unteroffizier / Feldwebel Rolf Steiner
- Maximilian Schell as Hauptmann Stransky
- James Mason as Oberst Brandt
- David Warner as Hauptmann Kiesel
- Klaus Löwitsch as Unteroffizier Krüger
- Vadim Glowna as Gefreiter Kern
- Roger Fritz as Leutnant Treibig
- Dieter Schidor as Anselm
- Burkhard Driest as Schütze Maag
- Fred Stillkrauth as Unteroffizier Schnurrbart
Cross of Iron FAQ
Is Cross of Iron good?
Cross of Iron has a 79% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 462 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Cross of Iron?
In the US you can stream Cross of Iron on Prime Video and Cultpix and rent it from Prime Video.
Is Cross of Iron OK for kids?
Cross of Iron is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Cross of Iron is an R-rated WWII war film depicting brutal combat on the Eastern Front.
What movies are like Cross of Iron?
If you liked Cross of Iron, try Fury, The Thin Red Line, Saving Private Ryan and Kalashnikov AK-47.