Kelly's Heroes (1970)

Kelly’s Heroes is a rollicking World War II heist that mixes tank battles and battlefield grit with irreverent humor and a strong anti-authoritarian streak. When Lieutenant Kelly (Clint Eastwood) learns that sixteen million dollars in Nazi gold is stashed behind enemy lines, he rounds up a ragged platoon — including the tough-as-nails Big Joe (Telly Savalas), sleazy hustler Crapgame (Don Rickles) and freewheeling tank commander Oddball (Donald Sutherland) — and mounts a daring, semi-official raid into occupied France to steal it for themselves. Watching the film, you’ll get equal doses of action and comedy: thunderous Sherman-tank set pieces and skirmishes alongside sharp, often absurd banter and offbeat characters. The plot plays out like a heist movie set in wartime, full of improvised plans, double-crosses, and unlikely alliances, while the tone leans toward satire — questioning military bureaucracy and celebrating maverick camaraderie. Expect charismatic performances, memorable one-liners, and a breezy, adventurous pace that makes the film as much a character-driven comedy as an action picture. If you enjoy ensemble casts, clever scheming, and a film that doesn’t take war too solemnly, Kelly’s Heroes delivers an entertaining, offbeat ride.

Actors: Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Don Rickles

Director: Brian G. Hutton

Runtime: 144 min

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, War

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