Kelly’s Heroes Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of WWII soldiers decide that fighting Nazis is less appealing than robbing them, so they go full Ocean’s Eleven on a German bank, with tanks.

🍿 Kelly’s Heroes: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Discovery

During World War II, Lieutenant Kelly, demoted to Private, captures a German Colonel. He discovers the Colonel is carrying a gold bar. Kelly gets the Colonel drunk and learns about a secret stash of $16 million in gold bars hidden in a bank vault in Clermont, 30 miles behind enemy lines. The Colonel is killed shortly after by a German Tiger tank during a retreat.

Planning the Heist

Kelly recruits his platoon, including the skeptical Sergeant Big Joe, to sneak behind enemy lines and steal the gold. They also enlist Crapgame, a supply sergeant who can acquire necessary equipment, and Oddball, a quirky tank commander with three Sherman tanks. Oddball’s tanks are modified and painted in unusual ways. The team prepares for their unauthorized mission, aiming to reach Clermont before their own army advances.

The Journey to Clermont

The group faces numerous obstacles, including friendly fire, minefields, and German patrols. They manage to break through German lines with a well-timed mortar barrage, coordinated by Mulligan, and destroy a railway depot along the way. They encounter an engineering unit and convince them to build a bridge after Allied fighter-bombers destroy the original one. Along the way, they suffer casualties, strengthening their resolve to secure the gold.

The Final Showdown

Reaching Clermont, they find it defended by three Tiger tanks and German infantry. Kelly devises a plan to infiltrate the town and launch a surprise attack. They manage to destroy two of the Tiger tanks, but Oddball’s last Sherman tank breaks down in front of the bank. Facing a stalemate, Kelly offers the German tank commander a share of the gold in exchange for his assistance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Private Kelly (Clint Eastwood): A demoted lieutenant who masterminds a plan to steal Nazi gold behind enemy lines.
• Sergeant Big Joe (Telly Savalas): The skeptical but ultimately supportive Master Sergeant who reluctantly joins Kelly’s gold heist.
• Crapgame (Don Rickles): The opportunistic supply sergeant who uses his connections to aid the team in exchange for a cut of the gold.
• Sergeant Oddball (Donald Sutherland): The eccentric and unconventional tank commander who provides armored support and a unique perspective.
• General Colt (Carroll O’Connor): The glory-seeking General who misinterprets Kelly’s actions as a heroic push against the enemy.
• Colonel Dankhopf (David Hurst): The German Colonel whose drunken ramblings reveal the location of the hidden gold.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Oddball: “Always with the negative waves, Moriarty, always with the negative waves.” – Oddball’s signature line, expressing his disapproval of pessimism and negativity.
• Oddball: “Woof woof woof! That’s my other dog imitation.” – A humorous non-sequitur adding to Oddball’s quirky and unpredictable nature.
• Crapgame: “Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers. That’s a big cat, baby.” – Crapgame expresses his reluctance and fear when facing the heavily armed German Tiger tanks.
• Big Joe: “Suppose you get away with the gold. What happens then?” – Big Joe voices his concern about the practicality and consequences of the heist, showing his cautious side.
• Kelly: “I’ve decided to take a little risk. I’m going in to get that gold.” – Kelly states his intention to pursue the gold, setting the main plot in motion, and marking the beginning of their adventure.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,200,000
• Worldwide Gross: $5,200,000

💥 Kelly’s Heroes Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely love Kelly’s Heroes! The mix of action and comedy is perfect, and the characters are so memorable. Donald Sutherland as Oddball is a legend, and every time he’s on screen, I can’t help but laugh. The scene where they play “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” after blowing up the depot is comedic gold, and is one of my favorites. Definitely a movie I can watch over and over again!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of war comedies”
  • “Clint Eastwood fans”
  • “Viewers interested in heist films”
  • “People who enjoy anti-establishment stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “War violence”
  • “Explosions”
  • “Some language”
  • “Brief scenes of wartime peril”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Kelly’s Heroes offers a fun, action-packed romp through WWII, blending humor and adventure seamlessly. The cast shines, and the film’s pacing keeps you engaged, even with its longer runtime. A must-watch for fans of war comedies.
• The New York Times: “While Kelly’s Heroes has its moments, the tonal shifts can be jarring. The comedic elements often clash with the serious backdrop of WWII. Despite this, Donald Sutherland’s performance as Oddball is undeniably memorable.

Audience Reactions

Donald Sutherland’s performance as Oddball is iconic and hilarious.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s unique blend of war and comedy, highlighting the cast’s chemistry.

Overall Consensus: A beloved war comedy known for its memorable characters, unique blend of humor and action, and Donald Sutherland’s iconic performance as Oddball, though some find its tonal shifts uneven.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Donald Sutherland contracted a serious illness during filming in Yugoslavia, leading to a dire telegram being sent to his wife.”
• “The Tiger tanks in the film were actually modified Soviet T-34 tanks, due to the unavailability of real Tiger tanks.”
• “The film’s anti-war sentiment and Donald Sutherland’s ‘hippie’ character reflected the contemporary attitudes towards the Vietnam War.”
• “The Yugoslavian locations effectively stood in for France, providing a realistic backdrop for the WWII setting.”

🖥️ How to Watch Kelly’s Heroes?

Kelly’s Heroes is widely available for rent or purchase on various platforms. You can find it on digital retailers like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for broadcast options, or look for physical copies on Blu-ray or DVD at major retailers. Some streaming services may offer it periodically, so keep an eye out on platforms like Paramount+ or through subscription add-ons.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Kelly’s Heroes, you might like these similar films:

• The Dirty Dozen (1967): Another WWII film featuring a group of soldiers on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines, led by a rogue commander.
• Three Kings (1999): A modern war film with a similar premise: soldiers taking advantage of wartime chaos to steal gold.
• Catch-22 (1970): A dark comedy set during WWII that satirizes the absurdity of war and military bureaucracy.
• Where Eagles Dare (1968): Another Brian G. Hutton-directed war adventure film starring Clint Eastwood.

🛒 Kelly’s Heroes Related Products

• Kelly’s Heroes [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray edition of the classic film. A must-have for collectors and fans, includes special features and enhanced picture quality.
• Kelly’s Heroes: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: The complete original soundtrack featuring ‘Burning Bridges’ and other iconic tracks from the film. Relive the movie’s atmosphere with this collection.
• Sherman Tank Model Kit – Kelly’s Heroes Edition: Detailed model kit of the M4 Sherman tank featured in the movie. Includes Kelly’s Heroes decals for authentic replication. Requires assembly and painting.
• “Oddball’s Positive Vibes” T-Shirt: T-shirt featuring a quote from Donald Sutherland’s ‘Oddball’ character. The perfect movie tribute for all of the Oddball fans to show off that hippie spirit.

🎧 Soundtrack

Kelly’s Heroes features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Burning Bridges” – performed by Mike Curb Congregation
• “Sunshine” – performed by Hank Williams Jr.

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

ABC13 film from press junket in 1968 on the set of Kelly’s Heroes

Ever wonder what it was like on the set of Kelly’s Heroes back in ’68? This restored footage of a press junket with Don Rickles and Clint Eastwood is hilarious – you gotta see Rickles roasting everyone!

Kelly’s Heroes: Did Sherman Tanks Really Stand a Chance Against Tiger Tanks? – #shorts #short

Were the tank battles in Kelly’s Heroes actually realistic? This quick video breaks down the historical accuracy of Sherman versus Tiger tanks – surprisingly informative and makes you appreciate the movie even more!

Fascinating Historical Connection: Michelin Guidebooks in the KELLY’S HEROES Movie – #shorts #short

Did you know that the Michelin Guidebooks in Kelly’s Heroes have a fascinating historical connection? This short video reveals a surprising detail that’ll make you look at the movie in a whole new light – who knew guidebooks could be so interesting?

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