MovieChat Forums > Cross of Iron (1977) Discussion > Slavko Stimac in two roles?

Slavko Stimac in two roles?

posted 14 years ago by mice_elf
7 replies | jump to latest

Perhaps it is just a mistake on my part but after watching the movie again recently I was once again struck by the resemblance between the young Russian prisoner Mikhail (played by Slavko Stimac with dyed blonde hair) and the young Russian soldier with darker hair at the end of the movie (in the shoot out with Captain Stransky). Slavko Stimac appeared in many Yugoslav war movies at the time and with his natural hair colour he looked remarkably like the young soldier at the end of the movie. I am virtually certain that both parts were played by Slavko and wonder why this was so, was there perhaps some symbolism intended?

[–] gingerpete 14 years ago

No mistake. You're bang on the money.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] I_hatenazis 13 years ago

I also thought the same thing about the Russian boy in the first scene in the mortar pit with his arm blown off. By the end of the movie it looked as if the Russians were cloning their boys.

[–] Ehrgeiz 13 years ago

Last scene was a bit surreal... due to that they could not properly finish the movie, and also maybe because of Peckinpahs mind...

[–] stevekaczynski 9 years ago

I am almost certain the Russian kid at the end is the same actor with dyed hair. I like his frustrated expression when he wants to cash in Stransky's chips but can't because his PPSh is jammed or out of ammo.

"Chicken soup - with a *beep* straw."

[–] stevekaczynski 9 years ago

Or it may be that his hair in the last bit was his natural colour and the blonde hair was dyed.

"Chicken soup - with a *beep* straw."

[–] milstar 9 years ago

Yeah, that was the very same actor. Stimac has, naturally, black hair. I suppose, due to the grueling and arduous nature of making this film, they didn't have time to dye his hair. Or put a wig.