Kelly’s Heroes (1970)

My Review

“Kelly’s Heroes” is a World War II heist film about some America GIs who go AWOL to rob a French bank, behind German lines, of gold bars that actually belong to the Nazis. The comedy on display in this movie is not traditional World War II fare, but is filled with anti-war sentiment that was common during the Vietnam War in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Director Brian G. Hutton (“Where Eagles Dare” 1968) and screenwriter Troy Kennedy Martin actually do make it work, due to skillful direction and good writing and capable performances by top stars.

Clint Eastwood heads the cast as Kelly, bringing his usual stoic persona to the role. Others include Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Carroll O’Connor, Donald Sutherland, Gavin MacCleod, Stuart Margolin, Harry Dean Stanton, Hal Buckley, Jeff Morris, Richard Davalos, Perry Lopez, Tom Troupe, Karl Otto Alberty, David Hurst, Dee Pollock, George Savalas (Tellly’s brother), and Len Lesser, who would later become famous as Jerry’s Uncle Leo on NBC’s “Seinfeld” (1989-1998).

“Kelly’s Heroes” was filmed on location in Croatia, Serbia, and England, and was a hit at the box office for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.