The structure and oxidation process of iron thin films vapor-deposited on different substrates were investigated by means of Fe-57 conversion electron Mossbauer spectroscopy (CEMS). It was found that the direction of the emerging magnetic anisotropy displayed by the iron film is influenced by the surface treatment applied to the substrate material in advance of the deposition process. Magnetically ordered interphase layers were detected between the substrates and the evaporated iron layers. In the interphase layers, iron had an oxidation level of 3+. On its surface, the vapor-deposited iron had an amorphous oxide or/and hydroxide layer whose corrosion resistance was tested by exposure to water as well as to atmospheric oxygen.