Directed by: Sam Peckinpah
Starring: James Mason, James Coburn, David Warner, Maximilian Schell
Factual error: When Captain Stransky urinates at the side of the road after ordering his motorcycle driver to pull up, he zips up his trousers as he returns to the motorcycle. Wehrmacht uniforms had buttons and not zippers.
Factual error: In the bombing scene after Steiner tells the captain that he doesn't believe the captain deserves the Iron Cross, the planes are American Corsairs, despite being set on the eastern front when Soviets and Germans were fighting. (01:03:49)
Plot hole: "The regiment headquarters calling for Corporal Steiner. Come in Steiner." The film starts with this repeating radio message. It's even heard by Steiner and his men who are on their hush-hush job behind the enemy lines: a reconnaissance mission. Calling Steiner just makes no sense, especially with the name.
Kern: Do you believe in God, Sergeant?
Sargeant Steiner: I believe God is a sadist, but probably doesn't even know it.