German commander Hauptmann Stransky places a squad in extreme danger after Sergeant Rolf Steiner refuses to lie for him.German commander Hauptmann Stransky places a squad in extreme danger after Sergeant Rolf Steiner refuses to lie for him.German commander Hauptmann Stransky places a squad in extreme danger after Sergeant Rolf Steiner refuses to lie for him.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 1 nomination
Fred Stillkrauth
- Unteroffizier (Cpl.) Schnurrbart ('Private Mustache')
- (as Fred Stillkraut)
Véronique Vendell
- Marga
- (as Veronique Vendell)
Demeter Bitenc
- Capt. Pucher
- (uncredited)
Thomas Braut
- Unteroffizier Feldwebel (S
- (German version)
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
- …
Heinz Engelmann
- Oberst (Col.) Brandt
- (German version)
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
Igor Galo
- Leutnant (Lt.) Meyer
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFilmed in Yugoslavia with money put up by a West German porn producer.
- GoofsThe Soviet planes that bomb the German trench system are actually U.S. Navy Vought F4U Corsairs. You can even see the U.S. military markings on them.
- Quotes
Colonel Brandt: What will we do when we have lost the war?
Captain Kiesel: Prepare for the next one.
- Crazy creditsThe End Credits in the North American BETA/VHS & DVD versions contain the quote: "Don't rejoice in his defeat, you men. For though the world stood up and stopped the bastard,The bitch that bore him is in heat again." Bertolt Brecht
- Alternate versionsVCD (Video CD) by Ocean Shores is 133 minute R Rated version. Featuring some extra profanity and brutality.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Breakthrough (1979)
- SoundtracksHänschen klein
(uncredited)
Traditional
Featured review
A Military Favourite
I can't add much to these reviews except to comment that I've found this film to be a great favourite among real soldiers. I once got to deliver the classic line to a Major and a Captain about hating all officers. Luckily(?) they knew I was quoting from the film!
I'm not bothered about the assortment of accents in the cast (that others have mentioned). It seems to me that if you believe in their situation and have immersed yourself in the film, as it was easy for me to do, then you don't even notice them after a while. I would argue that the cast (in terms of dialogue) in Private Ryan is far more of a problem, since these seem to be 1990s guys transported back to 1944 and are far too 'knowing'. Moreover, in Private Ryan I kept stepping back from the film feeling that I was simply being manipulated by the director. COI is far more chilling. I really liked (if that's the word) a scene where an artillery explosion killed both Germans and Soviets. Kind of emphasises the 'war is hell' message without preaching or being manipulative.
I think Steiner is one of the greatest military characters ever to appear on film (for what its worth, Gregory Peck as Savage in Twelve O'Clock High, and Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain in Gettysburg are also up there). I must say I didn't really like the ending, but I can't suggest a better one, but as an alternate "ending" I would certainly recommend that people *do not* see the awful sequel 'Sergeant Steiner' with Richard Burton(!) as Steiner.
I'm not bothered about the assortment of accents in the cast (that others have mentioned). It seems to me that if you believe in their situation and have immersed yourself in the film, as it was easy for me to do, then you don't even notice them after a while. I would argue that the cast (in terms of dialogue) in Private Ryan is far more of a problem, since these seem to be 1990s guys transported back to 1944 and are far too 'knowing'. Moreover, in Private Ryan I kept stepping back from the film feeling that I was simply being manipulated by the director. COI is far more chilling. I really liked (if that's the word) a scene where an artillery explosion killed both Germans and Soviets. Kind of emphasises the 'war is hell' message without preaching or being manipulative.
I think Steiner is one of the greatest military characters ever to appear on film (for what its worth, Gregory Peck as Savage in Twelve O'Clock High, and Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain in Gettysburg are also up there). I must say I didn't really like the ending, but I can't suggest a better one, but as an alternate "ending" I would certainly recommend that people *do not* see the awful sequel 'Sergeant Steiner' with Richard Burton(!) as Steiner.
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $6,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $201
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