Iron Cross

It's difficult to be too critical of the movie because the production coincided with not only the death of the great Roy Schieder, but also the director's father (a holocaust survivor) upon which Schieder's character is based...but:

This is a simply poor piece of filmaking that is close to risible due to the decision to use the holocaust as a background to make a quasi-action pic. Based on a Q&A with the director and his son (who co-stars), it seems that the holocaust is simply another way for Newton to get his directing kicks: as he said, a project he thought up while waiting to direct a "divorce thriller." Rather than a serious investigation of what his father's experience meant, Newton takes it as reason to portray gratuitous violence and hone his camera skills. A set-up that could lead to a veritable graduate seminar of fascinating themes and conflicts is dispensed with in order to follow a ridiculous whodunit.

Poor editing, acting (with the exception of Schieder and, surprisingly, Newton's son) and an absurd plot are hallmarks of many films, but few manage to be offensive, cloying, hilariously melodramatic, painstakingly dull, vain, and just shootstormingly bad. And this is just in a twenty minute section in the middle of the movie. There's actually some kind of anti-brilliance on display here because things start out fairly okay, like a cheesy made-for-TV movie, but develop into "holy cow - am I really watching this?" mode about halfway through.

Sadly, the ineptitude isn't easily available for a Room-like mockery because of Schieder's passing, but there are some classic moments where it would be fun to imagine a packed theater laughing at all of this. Nazis rounding up houses full of people speaking with British accents, the worst storytelling neighbor in cinema history, a fall-out-of-your-seat lesson in compassion through an analogy with a bee, and a visual style that seems like Edgar Wright without the wink would make for some brilliant midnight watching. If you get a chance, find the DVD and skip to the barn scene, but otherwise ignore the obvious planted reviews above.

"Iron Cross" features the late actor Roy Scheider in his last performance. Once again, Scheider's portrayal of his character is captivating and moving. This film is fast paced and will keep you guessing about where the story is taking the audience. The locations that are utilized in the movie make a visual impact upon viewers. Helmut Berger is wonderful in his role as the former officer who is hiding his true identity. The scenes between Scheider and Burger are intense. This is a fine film to end the career of an esteemed actor like Scheider. The soundtrack is outstanding and compliments the plot well. Finally "Iron Cross" imparts a message that is critical to future societies throughout the world. It is important that the memory of this dark time in history is kept in the forefront.

The cinema photography was excellent.

Not only is it emotional, but this film builds to a quite intense and thrilling climax with a good twist at the end.

We give it a firm 8."

It's clear the director put heart and soul into this. I just wish more movies had this dynamic level of storytelling. It's a great story. Scheider is great. His young co-star Alexander Newton is does a fine job too.

Roy Schneider's final performance, released to theaters over a decade after his death, is one of his best, and reminds us what a talent we lost. The movie is a terrific psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat to the end.

It's a crime that so many antisemites and Holocaust deniers have review bombed the film and overloaded it with 1-star reviews. Don't let that deceptive number keep you from experiencing an intense and powerful piece of filmmaking, and a remarkable turn by Scheider. That alone is worth the price of admission, but there is plenty more to keep you there.

In short, this is one of those indie movies that you have to track down and see.