“Kelly’s Heroes” (1970) is a classic World War II action-comedy film directed by Brian G. Hutton and starring an ensemble cast that includes Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Carroll O’Connor, and Donald Sutherland. The film is known for its unique blend of war action and comedic elements, offering a lighthearted, almost anti-authoritarian take on the typical war movie of its time. Kelly’s Heroes tells the story of a group of misfit American soldiers who embark on a secret mission behind enemy lines—not for military glory, but to steal a massive stash of Nazi gold.

Plot Overview

Set in 1944 during World War II, the film follows Kelly (Clint Eastwood), a former lieutenant turned private, who accidentally learns of a secret stash of Nazi gold hidden in a bank behind enemy lines. The gold is said to be worth $16 million, and Kelly, tired of the war and seeking personal gain, devises a plan to steal it. He convinces a group of fellow soldiers—mostly misfits and opportunists—to join him on this risky mission.

Among Kelly’s crew are:

• Big Joe (Telly Savalas): A cynical sergeant and the de facto leader of the squad who, despite his gruff exterior, agrees to help Kelly pull off the heist.
• Crapgame (Don Rickles): A hustling supply sergeant who always seems to be looking for a way to make a profit, Crapgame is the schemer of the group.
• Oddball (Donald Sutherland): The eccentric and laid-back commander of a Sherman tank unit. Oddball is a pacifist who enjoys using his tanks to create mayhem and confusion but approaches war with a very nonchalant attitude.
• General Colt (Carroll O’Connor): The gung-ho, out-of-touch American general, obsessed with achieving military glory, who becomes inadvertently involved in the group’s mission.

The group, posing as a regular platoon, sets out to steal the gold, battling through enemy lines, German forces, and even their own military command, all while maintaining their focus on the treasure. Along the way, they encounter various comedic and dangerous situations, often driven by their mix of greed, camaraderie, and distrust of military authority.

The climax of the film sees Kelly and his men confronting the German soldiers guarding the bank, but instead of engaging in a traditional battle, Kelly strikes a deal with the German officer in charge—offering him a share of the gold. With this unconventional alliance, they successfully loot the treasure and make their escape, sharing the spoils among themselves, much to the confusion of the higher military authorities.

Key Characters

• Kelly (Clint Eastwood): The central character, Kelly is a former lieutenant who, despite his disillusionment with the war, shows great leadership and tactical skill in pulling off the heist. Eastwood plays Kelly with his usual stoic, tough-guy demeanor, though the character also displays a sense of practicality and a willingness to break the rules for personal gain.
• Big Joe (Telly Savalas): As the no-nonsense sergeant, Big Joe is Kelly’s closest ally in the mission. His character brings a mix of cynicism and leadership, embodying the tough, experienced soldier who knows how to get things done on the battlefield but is just as tired of the war as Kelly.
• Oddball (Donald Sutherland): One of the film’s most memorable characters, Oddball is a tank commander who lives in his own world, complete with bizarre philosophies and an anti-war attitude. His eccentricity, complete with lines like “Always with the negative waves, Moriarty,” brings much of the film’s comedic flavor.
• Crapgame (Don Rickles): Crapgame is the hustler of the group, always looking for ways to profit from the war. His greed and business-minded attitude make him a key player in the heist, providing some of the film’s funniest moments with his cynical and money-driven outlook.
• General Colt (Carroll O’Connor): The out-of-touch general, Colt is obsessed with winning battles and glory, unaware that Kelly’s team is using his military resources to steal the gold. His character serves as a satire of military leadership, showing how disconnected some officers were from the realities of the soldiers on the ground.

Themes

• Greed and Opportunism: At its core, Kelly’s Heroes is a film about greed and the lengths to which people will go to enrich themselves, even during wartime. The soldiers, who are supposed to be focused on defeating the enemy, instead focus on their personal gain, subverting the traditional notion of wartime heroism.
• Anti-Authority and Individualism: The film portrays a strong anti-authority message, with Kelly and his men defying military orders and traditional leadership in pursuit of their own goals. The characters’ disregard for the chain of command reflects a broader anti-establishment sentiment that was prevalent in the late 1960s and early 1970s, particularly in the context of the Vietnam War.
• Camaraderie and Brotherhood: Despite their greed, the soldiers in Kelly’s Heroes form a tight-knit group, and their camaraderie is a central theme. The film emphasizes the importance of friendship and loyalty, even in the midst of war and under less-than-honorable circumstances.
• The Absurdity of War: Through its comedic elements, Kelly’s Heroes satirizes the absurdity of war, showing how the chaos of battle can lead to strange alliances and unexpected outcomes. The film presents the soldiers as individuals more concerned with personal survival and profit than with abstract notions of duty and honor, highlighting the sometimes irrational nature of military conflict.

Tone and Atmosphere

Kelly’s Heroes blends action with a comedic tone, creating a film that is both a war movie and a light-hearted caper. The characters are colorful and often larger than life, with Oddball’s laid-back attitude, Crapgame’s scheming nature, and Big Joe’s gruff practicality providing plenty of humor. At the same time, the film features realistic and intense battle scenes, creating a balance between the seriousness of war and the more absurd elements of the plot.

The film’s 1940s setting, combined with its 1970s anti-establishment attitude, gives it a unique tone. The combat sequences are well-executed and feel grounded, but the light-hearted banter and focus on personal gain reflect the more cynical worldview of the 1970s.

Visuals and Cinematography

The film’s visual style is typical of late 1960s and early 1970s war films, with gritty, realistic depictions of battle, but it also includes moments of levity through its use of color and staging. The dusty, war-torn landscapes and bombed-out villages provide an authentic backdrop to the story, while the tank battles, explosions, and firefights are staged with a good deal of practical effects.

Performances

• Clint Eastwood delivers his trademark stoic performance as Kelly, a man of few words but strong leadership. His calm, cool demeanor grounds the film, even as the plot becomes more absurd.
• Telly Savalas as Big Joe brings a hard-edged but likable presence to the group, portraying a war-weary sergeant who is both pragmatic and loyal.
• Donald Sutherland steals many scenes as Oddball, the laid-back tank commander with a hippie-like philosophy. His offbeat humor and quirky lines add a unique flavor to the film.
• Don Rickles as Crapgame provides a comedic element with his fast-talking, money-driven character. Rickles’ natural comedic timing adds to the film’s lighter moments.

Reception and Legacy

Kelly’s Heroes was generally well-received upon its release, praised for its mix of action and humor. It has since become a cult classic, known for its memorable characters and quotable lines, particularly Donald Sutherland’s portrayal of Oddball. The film’s unique take on war—focusing on personal gain rather than traditional heroism—resonated with audiences in the post-Vietnam era, when skepticism about authority and military leadership was at an all-time high.

The film’s blend of war and comedy, along with its anti-establishment themes, set it apart from more traditional war movies of the time, making it a unique entry in the genre.

Conclusion

Kelly’s Heroes (1970) is an entertaining and unconventional war film that combines the tension and action of World War II with humor and anti-authoritarian satire. With a standout cast led by Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, and Donald Sutherland, the film offers a lighthearted take on the war genre while still delivering intense action and a memorable plot. Its themes of greed, camaraderie, and the absurdity of war, along with its quirky characters, make it a classic worth revisiting.