description Kelly's Heroes (1970) Overview
*Kelly's Heroes* is a 1970 World War II film directed by Brian G. Hutton that blends military action with a heist narrative. The ensemble cast is led by Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland, and Don Rickles, portraying a platoon of American soldiers who learn about a cache of gold bullion stored in a German bank behind enemy lines. The soldiers mount an unauthorized, self-serving mission to infiltrate enemy territory and steal the wealth for themselves.
The film is noted for its satirical tone and anachronistic musical elements.
help Kelly's Heroes (1970) FAQ
What is the gold heist in Kelly's Heroes about?
In the 1970 film, US Army officer Kelly learns that German gold is stored in a bank behind enemy lines. He recruits Big Joe, Oddball, Crapgame, and other soldiers for an unauthorized mission to steal it during World War II. [AFI Catalog](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/20626-KELLY%27S-HEROES)
Who plays the main characters in Kelly's Heroes?
Clint Eastwood plays Kelly, Telly Savalas plays Big Joe, Donald Sutherland plays Oddball, and Don Rickles plays Crapgame. Brian G. Hutton directed the film for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. [TCM film profile](https://www.tcm.com/watchtcm/titles/3025)
Where was Kelly's Heroes filmed?
Much of the film was shot in Yugoslavia, partly because the Yugoslav Ground Forces still had usable World War II equipment. The location helped the production stage large-scale tank scenes without relying entirely on replicas. [AFI Catalog](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/20626-KELLY%27S-HEROES)
Is Kelly's Heroes a serious war film or a comedy?
It is a 1970 war comedy that mixes combat scenes with an anti-bureaucratic heist story and satirical characters. The AFI lists its runtime as 145 minutes and classifies it as a comedy-drama. [AFI Catalog](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/20626-KELLY%27S_HEROES)
explore Explore More
Similar to Kelly's Heroes (1970)
compare_arrows Compare: The Dirty Dozen (1967) See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
