![]() ![]() Maybe the equivocation isn't solely Peckinpah's, but it was probably exaggerated by his distinctively American romanticism and obsessiveness. While praising Heinrich for overwhelming descriptive powers, several reviewers seemed to find the book a little underwhelming on the philosophical side. Heinrich himself served as an infantryman in this bitter theater of combat. The story is set on the Eastern Front during the German retreat from Russia in 1943. Called "The Patient Flesh" in German and "Cross of Iron" in English translation, the book seems to be recalled most vividly for the ferocity and apparent authenticity of its war scenes. ![]() Perhaps the equivocal fog surrounding "Cross of Iron," now at several area theaters would lift after one consulted the original source, a novel by Willi Heinrich published about 20 years ago. If Peckinpah had something specific in mind when the began this project, an international co-production shot in Yugoslavia, he has lost the train of thought somewhere along the line. It could easily summerize the frustration and bafflement audiences are likely to feel. Under the circumstances, one can't resist interpreting the remark as a parting confession of failure by the filmmaker. "Cross of Iron," a peculiarly pointess, expendale new action film from Sam Peckinpah, fades out as the protagonist, a Wehrmacht sergeant delayed by James Coburn, utters a profanr what's-the-use expletive. ![]()
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