Overview
A daring heist during World War II takes unexpected turns as soldiers pursue treasure amidst chaos.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- irreverent
- witty
- sardonic
- classic movie night
- war film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly find the film entertaining and energetic as a hybrid of battlefield action, heist caper, and pointed military satire, though its tonal shifts and length divide opinion.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kelly and his improvised squad cross enemy lines to steal a cache of gold from a French bank.
The soldiers treat the war as an opportunity for personal enrichment, while the film satirizes military hierarchy and patriotic rhetoric.
Oddball's hippie styling, eccentric speech, and refusal of conventional military discipline sharply contrast with the World War II setting.
Tanks, artillery barrages, explosions, and battlefield movement give the caper a broad roadshow action scale.
Films like Kelly's Heroes, and why
M*A*S*H
A wartime mission blends military action with irreverent comedy and anti-authoritarian characters.
Where Eagles Dare
A World War II ensemble undertakes an unconventional, morally ambiguous mission behind enemy lines.
What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?
A comic wartime caper uses military chaos and satire to drive an audacious scheme.
The Dirty Dozen
A group of soldiers pursues stolen wealth through a dangerous, comic military operation.
Movie Details
- Director
- Brian G. Hutton
- Release Date
- 1970-06-22
- Runtime
- 144 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (861)
Cast
- Clint Eastwood
- Telly Savalas
- Donald Sutherland
- Don Rickles
- Carroll O'Connor
- Gavin MacLeod
- Hal Buckley
- Stuart Margolin
- Jeff Morris
- Richard Davalos
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Kelly's Heroes about?
- A cynical lieutenant turns a World War II battlefield into the site of an audacious gold robbery with the help of an eccentric band of soldiers.
- What is Kelly's Heroes like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Kelly's Heroes as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Kelly's Heroes violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Kelly's Heroes as moderate.
- What did critics think of Kelly's Heroes?
- Critics broadly find the film entertaining and energetic as a hybrid of battlefield action, heist caper, and pointed military satire, though its tonal shifts and length divide opinion.
- Which films are like Kelly's Heroes?
- Films with a similar feel include M*A*S*H, Where Eagles Dare, What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?, and The Dirty Dozen.
- How long is Kelly's Heroes?
- Kelly's Heroes runs 144 minutes.
- Where can I watch Kelly's Heroes?
- In United States, Kelly's Heroes is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
