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Kelly's Heroes (1970) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Kelly's Heroes (1970) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1970 · 144 min · English
Directed by
Brian G. Hutton
Starring
Don Rickles, Donald Sutherland, Telly Savalas, Clint Eastwood, Stuart Margolin, Jeff Morris

During World War II, a team of American soldiers discovers a stash of gold bullion behind enemy lines in France. Led by Sergeant Kelly (Clint Eastwood), they devise a risky plan to steal the treasure. Facing relentless German patrols and the interference of a suspicious intelligence officer, the soldiers must rely on each other and forge an uneasy truce with a female French Resistance fighter to succeed. Their daring heist blends action, humor, and a touch of romance against the backdrop of wartime chaos.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Kelly's Heroes
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Kelly's Heroes (1970)

Where can you watch Kelly's Heroes? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Kelly's Heroes Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Kelly's Heroes (1970), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Private Kelly

    Once a distinguished lieutenant, Private Kelly's transition to private status after a failure drives his quest for redemption. Clever and resourceful, he navigates the complexities of war with a mix of cunning and bravery, uniting a diverse group for the heist of a lifetime.

    • 🕵️‍♂️ Strategist
    • 🌟 Leader
    • 🏅 Redeemed
  • Supply Sergeant 'Crapgame'

    played by Stuart Margolin

    Crapgame is the opportunistic supply sergeant whose resourcefulness proves invaluable during the mission. With a keen eye for essential gear, he adds a level of humor and unpredictability to the plans, showcasing the blend of practicality and chaos in wartime.

    • 💼 Resourceful
    • 😂 Comedic
    • 🎖️ Support
  • 'Oddball' (Tank Commander)

    The laid-back tank commander, Oddball, embodies a relaxed attitude amidst warfare chaos. His unconventional approach and inventive tactics make him a formidable ally, ultimately turning the tide of the battle through camaraderie and creativity.

    • 🚜 Tank Commander
    • 😎 Laid-back
    • 🎨 Creative
  • Master Sergeant 'Big Joe'

    Big Joe’s character displays leadership and commitment to his crew. Initially skeptical, he evolves into a crucial advocate for the mission, demonstrating bravery and strategic thinking that amplifies the team's resolve.

    • 💪 Strong-willed
    • 🔄 Evolving
    • 🎖️ Veteran

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:36

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Setting

Where and When Does Kelly's Heroes Take Place?

The setting of Kelly's Heroes (1970): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

September 1944

Set in September 1944, the film takes place towards the end of World War II, a period marked by intense military engagements and shifting powers in Europe. During this time, Allied forces were increasingly pushing back against German positions, resulting in chaotic yet strategic military operations aimed at securing victories and unearthing treasures hidden by the enemy.

Location

Nancy, France, Clermont

The movie is set against the backdrop of Nancy and Clermont, two significant locations in France during World War II. Nancy is known for its rich architectural heritage and pivotal role during the war. Clermont, situated deeper behind enemy lines, serves as the key location where the treasure is hidden, embodying the film's central conflict.

  • 🇫🇷 France
  • 🏙️ City
  • ⛰️ Surroundings

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:36

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3 major themes

Kelly's Heroes Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Kelly's Heroes (1970) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Greed

    The pursuit of wealth drives the characters' actions, highlighting how greed can fuel reckless decisions and audacious plans. The discovery of gold becomes a central motivator, leading characters to navigate dangers for a share of the fortune, ultimately blurring the lines between enemies and allies.

  • Unlikely Alliances

    The film showcases how dire circumstances can lead to unexpected collaborations. As American soldiers team up with German tank crews, it emphasizes themes of camaraderie and the absurdity of war, where former enemies unite for mutual gain in a comically chaotic heist.

  • Redemption

    Private Kelly’s journey is one of redemption, as he seeks to restore his honor following a failed offensive. His determination to lead a successful mission imbues the narrative with a sense of personal growth and the quest for purpose amidst the chaos of war.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:36

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Character & theme questions

Kelly's Heroes Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Kelly's Heroes (1970): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Kelly's Heroes set?

The movie is set in France, primarily in Nancy and Clermont during World War II. Nancy serves as a starting point with its historical significance, while Clermont, located deeper behind enemy lines, becomes the crucial destination where the hidden gold is located.

  • nancy
  • clermont
  • france
  • ww2
  • setting
  • location
Q2

When does Kelly's Heroes take place?

The film is set in September 1944, during the final months of World War II. At this point, Allied forces were advancing against German positions in Europe, creating the chaotic backdrop for the soldiers' daring mission behind enemy lines.

  • september 1944
  • ww2
  • 1940s
  • time period
  • world war 2
Q3

What are the main themes in Kelly's Heroes?

Kelly's Heroes explores three key themes: greed, as the discovery of gold drives the characters to take extreme risks; unlikely alliances, where American soldiers team up with German tank crews for mutual benefit; and redemption, as Private Kelly seeks to restore his honor after a previous military failure.

  • themes
  • greed
  • redemption
  • unlikely alliances
  • war
  • heist
Q4

How does greed influence the story?

Greed serves as the primary motivator for the heist, pushing the soldiers to risk their lives deep behind enemy lines. The gold becomes a unifying goal that blurs the lines between enemies and allies, leading to unpredictable partnerships and reckless decision-making throughout the mission.

  • gold
  • greed
  • treasure
  • wealth
  • heist
  • motivation
Q5

What makes the alliances in Kelly's Heroes unusual?

The film features unprecedented teamwork between former adversaries, American soldiers collaborate with a German tank crew, creating an absurd yet effective partnership. This unlikely alliance highlights the chaotic nature of war and how desperate circumstances can lead to unexpected collaborations between enemies.

  • german tank crew
  • alliance
  • teamwork
  • cooperation
  • enemies
Q6

Who is Private Kelly in the movie?

Private Kelly is the film's protagonist who was demoted from lieutenant to private after a failed offensive. Seeking redemption, he leads the dangerous mission to steal the gold, demonstrating cleverness and resourcefulness while uniting a diverse group of soldiers for the audacious heist.

  • private kelly
  • protagonist
  • redemption
  • leader
  • lieutenant
Q7

Who is Oddball the tank commander?

Oddball is the laid-back tank commander who brings an unconventional, almost hippie-like demeanor to the wartime setting. His relaxed attitude and inventive tactics make him a valuable ally, providing both comic relief and military prowess that helps turn the tide of battle.

  • oddball
  • tank commander
  • humor
  • laid-back
  • unconventional
Q8

What is Crapgame's role in Kelly's Heroes?

Crapgame is the supply sergeant whose opportunistic nature proves essential to the mission. His resourcefulness in acquiring necessary gear and equipment adds both humor and practicality to the plans, exemplifying the blend of chaos and practicality that defines the soldiers' approach.

  • crapgame
  • supply sergeant
  • stuart margolin
  • resourcefulness
  • humor
Q9

Who is Big Joe in the film?

Big Joe is the Master Sergeant who provides leadership and commitment to the crew. Initially skeptical of the mission, he eventually becomes a crucial advocate, demonstrating bravery and strategic thinking that strengthens the team's resolve and cohesion.

  • big joe
  • master sergeant
  • leader
  • leadership
  • crew
Q10

What is the tone of Kelly's Heroes?

Kelly's Heroes balances high-intensity wartime danger with a light, whimsical atmosphere. The film combines serious action sequences, tank battles, explosions, and minefields, with comedic moments, particularly through Oddball's unconventional personality, creating a unique blend of war drama and caper film.

  • tone
  • mood
  • comedy
  • war
  • adventure
  • whimsical
  • lighthearted
Q11

Is Kelly's Heroes based on a true story?

Kelly's Heroes is a fictional war film and not based on a true story. While it depicts realistic World War II settings and military operations, the heist plot and characters are entirely creations of the film's writers.

  • based on true story
  • fictional
  • screenplay
  • writers

Movie threads

More Movies Like Kelly's Heroes, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Kelly's Heroes tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Irreverent War-Time Caper movies like Kelly's Heroes

Bold heists and audacious plans set against a serious wartime backdrop. Explore movies like Kelly's Heroes, featuring audacious missions and heists set during wartime. These films combine high-stakes action with a surprisingly lighthearted and cunning tone, where misfit characters use their wits to outsmart the enemy. If you enjoyed the blend of serious setting and playful caper in Kelly's Heroes, you'll find similar thrills here.

  • adventurous
  • irreverent
  • cunning
  • camaraderie
  • chaotic
  • mischievous
  • Tone: light, irreverent
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a team or individual who identifies an opportunity for personal gain or a rebellious act within the rigid structure of a military conflict. The plot is driven by a series of clever plans, close calls, and improvisations as they navigate enemy territory. The journey is as much about camaraderie and outlandish problem-solving as it is about the central objective.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their unique tonal blend, juxtaposing the inherent seriousness of war with a caper's irreverent energy. They share a focus on clever plans, chaotic execution, and characters who are motivated by self-interest or rebellion as much as by duty, creating a distinct and entertaining subgenre.

Misfit Team Mission movies similar to Kelly's Heroes

A band of unlikely heroes undertakes a high-risk mission fueled by camaraderie. Find movies similar to Kelly's Heroes about a group of misfits pulling off a high-risk mission. These films focus on teamwork, camaraderie, and unconventional tactics against overwhelming odds. If you liked the dynamic between Clint Eastwood's squad and their audacious gold heist, you'll enjoy these stories of unlikely allies and daring plans.

  • camaraderie
  • adventurous
  • tense
  • cunning
  • improvisation
  • unconventional
  • Tone: adventurous, lighthearted
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is built around assembling a specialized team, each member bringing a crucial but unorthodox skill to the table. The journey involves navigating internal conflicts, building rapport, and overcoming a series of escalating obstacles through cleverness and teamwork rather than sheer force. The central conflict often pits the team's rogue ingenuity against a more powerful, structured opposition.

Why they belong together: This thread groups movies based on the core narrative structure of a specialized team undertaking a high-stakes operation. The shared elements include the formation of the team, the emphasis on clever strategy over brute force, a fast-paced series of challenges, and the central theme of camaraderie forged in adversity.

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Movies Like Kelly's Heroes

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Every angle

Kelly's Heroes (1970) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Kelly's Heroes in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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