Review of Kelly's Heroes (1970) by Kevin R — 08 Jun 2011

We're just a private enterprise operation.

During World War II a group of United States soldiers discover that a bank contains enough German gold to make them all rich. The problem is the bank is across enemy lines and protected by the fiercest tank in existence, the German Tiger. The group of soldiers develop a phenomenal plan to sneak across enemy lines, destroy the tiger tanks, and capture the gold.

"We like to think we can get out of trouble quicker than we get into it.".

Brian Hutton, director of Sol Madrid, Where Eagles Dare, Night Watch, The First Deadly Sin, and High Road to China, delivers Kelly's Heroes. The storyline for this picture is interesting and in-line with recent war time pictures (Three Kings and Miracle at St. Anna). The characters are interesting and well delivered and the action scenes, that focus primarily on tanks and the destruction of settings, is brilliant. The acting is first rate and includes Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Don Sutherland, Carroll O'Connor, Gavin MacLeod, Harry Dean Stanton, Len Lesser, and Shepherd Sanders.

"If we're late it's because we're dead.".

Kelly's Heroes was a film I came across while looking at old Donald Sutherland pictures. I was thoroughly impressed by the cast and decided to give it a shot. I adored the action scenes and the use of the tanks and the destruction of the settings. The use of the characters and their surroundings was astonishing and worthwhile and made this an entertaining war time picture. I strongly recommend seeing this gem.

"I think I've got the crabs.".

Grade: A.