MovieChat Forums > Cross of Iron (1977) Discussion > The bloody irony - the real-life guy the...

The bloody irony - the real-life guy the movie was based on (spoilers)

posted 10 years ago by Alfabeta
5 replies | jump to latest

The guy that Schell's character (EDIT: my bad - not Scell's, but Coburn's character) is probably based on is still alive and well (turned 100 last year) and not only did he not die during the war, but he in fact did pretty well earning many more medals (including the Iron Cross).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Schwerdfeger
This is highly ironic considering Coburn character's attitude towards this particular medal and the idea of continuing the war. The real person's biography sounds more like Schell's character.

[–] nickm2 10 years ago

Not Schell's but Coburn's character.

Why can't you wretched prey creatures understand that the Universe doesn't owe you anything!?

[–] Alfabeta 10 years ago

Thank you. Great haste makes great waste. :)

[–] nickm2 10 years ago

Still impressive that he's still alive at 100...

Why can't you wretched prey creatures understand that the Universe doesn't owe you anything!?

[–] gasivodo 10 years ago

Ironi? Where?

A film vs reality - I do not get it.

[–] nickm2 10 years ago

The actors who played him are dead but the 'real guy' who is even older is alive?

Why can't you wretched prey creatures understand that the Universe doesn't owe you anything!?