Kelly’s Heroes (1970)
Kelly’s Heroes is a World War II action-comedy film directed by Brian G. Hutton, blending war drama with irreverent humor and a heist-style plot. The film stars Clint Eastwood as Private Kelly, a former officer demoted to infantryman, who discovers an opportunity for personal profit behind enemy lines.
Set in France in 1944, the story begins when Kelly captures a German officer during a reconnaissance mission. During interrogation, Kelly learns of a hidden cache of Nazi gold bars, worth $16 million, stored in a bank behind enemy lines in the occupied French town of Clermont. With the war nearing its end, Kelly hatches a plan to sneak across enemy territory and steal the gold.
To pull it off, Kelly recruits a ragtag group of fellow soldiers. This includes Sgt. “Big Joe” (Telly Savalas), the skeptical platoon leader; Crapgame (Don Rickles), a fast-talking supply sergeant; Oddball (Donald Sutherland), a laid-back, eccentric tank commander with a love of jazz and positive vibes; and a crew of misfits who are tired of the Army and eager for a big score.
As they make their way through German lines, the group fakes missions, bribes commanding officers, and even manages to avoid the scrutiny of Major General Colt (Carroll O’Connor), who misinterprets their movement as a bold and strategic offensive push. Inspired by what he believes to be a heroic thrust, Colt sends reinforcements in support—unwittingly aiding the gold heist.
The climax takes place in Clermont, where the team faces off against a trio of German Tiger tanks guarding the bank. In an unexpected turn, Kelly and Oddball negotiate with one of the German tank commanders, convincing him to help blow open the bank in exchange for a share of the gold.
With the gold secured and the war continuing around them, the group splits up to avoid suspicion, their mission a success. General Colt arrives shortly after, celebrating what he thinks was a heroic assault, completely unaware of the true motive.
Kelly’s Heroes is a unique blend of satire, war adventure, and caper film, critiquing military bureaucracy while delivering a wildly entertaining and unconventional war story.
