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Kelly's Heroes
1970 144 min United States of America, Yugoslavia PG 12+
★7.2
Adventure, Comedy, War
Director: Brian G. Hutton
Trailers
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Description
A misfit group of World War II American soldiers goes AWOL to rob a bank behind German lines.
Budget:
$4M
US Gross:
$5.2M
Worldwide:
$5.2M
Starring
Clint Eastwood
Actor
Telly Savalas
Actor
Don Rickles
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
Kelly's Heroes is a distinctively unconventional war film that blends heist-movie tropes with dark comedy and anti-authoritarian sentiment. While audiences appreciate its charismatic ensemble cast and offbeat tone, critics remain divided on whether its tonal shifts and deliberate historical anachronisms create a clever satire or a disjointed narrative.
| Acting | Donald Sutherland’s eccentric performance as the tank commander 'Oddball' provides the film's most memorable and energetic contribution. | |
| Acting | The ensemble cast, featuring Savalas, Rickles, and Eastwood, creates a dynamic chemistry that effectively grounds the film’s comedic tone. | |
| Direction | Director Brian G. Hutton successfully balances high-stakes war action with elements of a satirical heist caper. | |
| Theme | The film utilizes anachronistic dialogue and character archetypes to deliver a biting critique of 1970s military idealism rather than traditional war-movie heroism. | |
| Runtime | The 144-minute runtime feels bloated to some, though others argue the compelling final act justifies the deliberate buildup. | |
| Screenplay | The film’s frequent tonal pivots between lighthearted comedy and grim, realistic war violence strike some viewers as jarring, while others find the juxtaposition essential to its anti-war message. |