James Coburn died today of a heart attack. One of the 'Greats'. Here's hoping that he and Sam Peckinpah are talking over old times already.... What more can I say ?
Martin... As I visually only know you as James, it kinda feels we lost a Forum-member... Sorry to hear he passed on. Recently saw Cross of Iron again and that 50's/60's movie on the BBC where he plays the psychiatrist of the US president...strange movie.... He leaves the world more empty with no one to step in his place.
Although he'll probably be best remembered for 'The Magnificent Seven', for me his two Peckinpah movies will be the essential Coburn performances ; 'Cross Of Iron' and 'Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid'.
James Coburn was a great actor. Sergeant Steiner is now with the rest of his Platoon. May he rest in peace. Other great movies he was in: The Great Escape Major Dundee (a western) Hell is for Heros w/ Steve McQueen and too many others to list. He had a voice that was a pleasure to hear--like Gary Coopers voice. Rest in peace, you are missed.
That is absolutely terrible news to hear, he was a great actor-and I will always remember him as Sergeant Steiner. At least he is reunited with his men now...Amen
That is he--as Sergeant Rolf Steiner in The Cross of Iron. In fact--this pic of him is the exact scene where Captain Stransky (Maximilian Schell) had just informed him that he was promoted to Senior Sergeant by Colonel Brandts and his decisions. He had just finished telling him of his promotion and saw very little r no reaction from Steiner and said: "Your promotion does'nt seem to have impressed you" and Steiner said: "No it has'nt" [ 23. November 2002, 03:19 PM: Message edited by: C.Evans ]
Some info and pics of "Steiner" http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20021118_525.html http://us.imdb.com/Name?Coburn,+James
One of my favorite passages in the movie is at the very end. Capt. Stransky (Maximillian Schell) has chosen not to kill Coburn's character, Steiner. Instead, he intones. "Very well. I will show you how a Prussian Officer can fight!" Steiner replies in a flat, toneless voice. "Then come with me and I will show you where the Iron Crosses grow!"
I agree--that was also one of my favorite lines in the movie. As a matter of fact--I was watching Cross of Iron (again for the millionth time) the morning of the day I heard he passed away. I only had time to watch a few moments of it and stopped the tape just after the promotion scene when he and Leutnant Meier were in the trench just befoire Steiner asks him to come with him (his surprise birthday party)
