Kelly's Heroes

Superb movie. It’s fictional in the event it portrays, but I’d argue it’s highly realistic in its military themes of frustration, context, motivation, confusion, corruption, and nihilism.

For context, D-Day occurred ~3 months earlier, the Allies are bogged down in France, and in the opening scene the company is drenched from the rain and is being shelled from the enemy and from their own side. They’ve been fighting for someone or something they don’t know or see or understand or care about, and their one link to the higher-ups doesn’t give a crap about them as he’s tied up in the battle by looting a yacht. When a German officer divulges confidential information about a stash of gold behind enemy lines, they decide that it’s time to fight for themselves and go get the gold behind enemy lines.

There are some humorous parts, but I don’t consider it a comedy, and any comedic scenes fit well in their context of military ineptness (Oddball stretches this theory but, hey, most of these soldiers were conscripted so you get all personalities). But by and large it is a drama with some decent action scenes and a pointed look at war, outcomes of war, and where/how the faceless soldier fits in.

Great performances all around - Terry Salavas absolutely knocks it out of the park. Perhaps a touch long, coming in at almost 2.5 hours, but if the movie is great, the length is a positive as you get more of it!

10/10

There should be no 'negative waves' here. The stand out performance - Donald Sutherland plays the role of a 1960s hippie, transported back to WWII as a tank commander and somehow it works. I've always enjoyed this movie (I watched it first in the cinema when it was released), whilst realising over time that it takes some liberties with the scenario.

Not your typical WWII movie.

An a bit over the top story that is though saved by the good performances of the main cast and the fact that they themselves do not take it all too seriously. Good entertainment.

Very entertaining war movie with just the right touch of Vietnam-era cynicism

I liked the dysfunction in the army group. It's a long movie. It's a stupid movie.

Excellent World War 2 movie that isn't so much about the war, but what motivates men. When Big Joe gets upset at the captain for giving them 3 days off but nothing to do, you get a picture painted that life isn't normal. The ensemble cast really does well. I don't think Telly Savalas was acting when he took these roles like Big Joe -- it is who he is. Loved Donald Sutherland has the flower child tank driver. He showed a lot of the same traits as Hawkeye in _M.A.S.H._ of the same year but I loved the, "always with the negative waves" line. Kelly's Heroes in a way mirrors _Saving Private Ryan_ where a small squad of soldiers needs to get behind enemy lines on a mission of a non-traditional nature. They all stay true to the cause but for selfish reasons. Great movie, groovy soundtrack, and watch for Gavin Mcleod of _Love Boat_ fame as the mechanical genius.

A lot more fun than Where Eagles Dare (maybe not a fair comparison since Eagles isn't a comedy). I can see why people watch it multiple times over the years.