10 Massively Underrated War Movie Performances
6. James Coburn As Rolf Steiner - Cross Of Iron
One of cinema's quintessential tough guys, James Coburn's illustrious career was littered with iconic character roles. Even in light of this fact, it remains a remarkable state of affairs that his turn in the critically acclaimed Cross of Iron retains status as one of his sleeper hits.
Sam Peckinpah's 1977 offering focuses on class conflict within the German ranks during WWII, with Coburn taking on the role of battle-hardened NCO Rolf Steiner. Set amidst the hellish conditions of the Eastern Front, the film sees Steiner find himself at odds with Maximilian Schell's Captain Stransky - a deluded aristocratic officer who desperately aspires to win the Iron Cross.
Sharing electric chemistry with his talented co-stars, Coburn's take on Steiner is one of the American's more complex characters. It's a nuanced role that he throws himself into, utilising an inspired blend of physicality, world-weariness and a reluctant sense of heroism to produce an Oscar-worthy bow against the backdrop of a first-rate war movie.
"Cross of Iron" somehow remains one of Coburn's more obscure roles to this day, further contributing to the underrated nature of his stellar performance.