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Kelly's Heroes (1970) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1970 · 144 min · English
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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 (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Kelly's Heroes
  6. 6 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Kelly's Heroes Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Kelly's Heroes (1970) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Storm Clouds Over Nancy

    As September approaches, storm clouds loom ominously over Nancy, France, creating a tense atmosphere. The 35th Infantry Division units draw nearer to their objective, setting the stage for a climactic confrontation.

    When
    September
    Where
    Nancy, France
  2. Initial Combat Challenges

    The mechanized reconnaissance platoon struggles to hold their ground against overwhelming odds. Confusion reigns as they endure friendly fire from their own mortar barrage, complicating their efforts to maintain their position.

  3. Private Kelly's Redemption

    Private Kelly, a once-regarded lieutenant, sees an opportunity for redemption amidst the chaos. He captures Colonel Dankhopf of Wehrmacht Intelligence, uncovering crucial information about 14,000 gold bars hidden in Clermont.

    Where
    Clermont
  4. The Scheme for Gold

    Nervously invigorated by the discovery, Kelly devises a bold plan to seize the immense treasure. He recruits Supply Sergeant 'Crapgame' to gather weapons and gear necessary for this high-stakes operation.

  5. Oddball's Tanks Join In

    The laid-back tank commander 'Oddball' overhears Kelly's plan and offers three unassigned M4 Sherman tanks to aid in the operation. This unexpected addition boosts the morale and capabilities of Kelly's platoon significantly.

  6. The Commander's Distraction

    With Captain Maitland distracted by family affairs, the platoon grows increasingly enthusiastic about the heist. Kelly convinces Master Sergeant 'Big Joe' to join, solidifying the team's determination to execute the plan.

  7. The March to Clermont Begins

    Kelly deploys his infantry and Oddball’s tanks in separate formations, carefully planning a rendezvous near Clermont. Their journey becomes a tactical maneuver to overcome German defenses as they approach their objective.

    Where
    Clermont
  8. Bridge Destroyed

    Their advance is abruptly halted when an Allied fighter-bomber strike devastates the crucial bridge needed for their progression. Despite this setback, Oddball improvises, coordinating efforts to establish a new crossing with engineering support.

  9. Tragedy Strikes

    Their situation grows dire when a friendly fire incident leads to the loss of their vehicles. Forced to continue on foot, they encounter a minefield where Private Grace tragically loses his life to a hidden explosive.

  10. More Losses Before Engaging

    As the surviving members of Kelly’s unit face a German patrol, they are caught off-guard. PFC Mitchell and Corporal Job meet their own demise, further thinning the ranks just as they plan to engage the enemy.

  11. Reinforcements Arrive

    Two nights later, Oddball reunites with Kelly, bringing a ragtag band of reinforcements. They are now more determined than ever to complete their mission despite the odds stacked against them.

  12. Clashes at Clermont

    Upon arriving in Clermont, Kelly’s group faces three formidable Tiger I tanks from the 1st SS Panzer Division. A fierce battle ensues where the Americans manage to outmatch the German infantry and destroy two of the Tigers.

    Where
    Clermont
  13. The Deal An Arrangement

    Faced with the last surviving Tiger tank, Crapgame conjures a plan to broker a deal. He suggests offering equal shares of the gold in exchange for the Germans' assistance to breach the bank vault.

  14. A Joint Effort

    Unexpectedly, the German tank crew agrees to Kelly's proposal, and together they blast through the vault doors. In a twist of fate, both sides walk away with a significant share of the treasure, valued around $875,000 each.

  15. Celebration and Misunderstanding

    As the residents of Clermont celebrate their newfound liberty, they mistakenly honor General Colt, believing he is General de Gaulle. This misunderstanding creates further complications as the American unit narrowly escapes recognition and pursuit.

    Where
    Clermont

Last updated: November 21, 2024 at 10:50

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Timeline questions answered

Kelly's Heroes Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Kelly's Heroes (1970): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why is Kelly a Private instead of a Lieutenant?

Kelly was once a distinguished lieutenant but was demoted to Private after being implicated in a failed infantry assault. The demotion left him scorned by his fellow soldiers, making his opportunity to capture Colonel Dankhopf and uncover the gold stash a chance at redemption.

  • Kelly rank
  • demotion
  • failed assault
  • redemption
Q2

How does Kelly find out about the gold?

Kelly captures Colonel Dankhopf, a high-ranking officer from Wehrmacht Intelligence, during the chaos of the battle near Nancy. Through interrogation, he learns that the Germans have hidden 14,000 gold bars worth $280 million in a bank vault in Clermont, deep behind enemy lines.

  • gold discovery
  • Colonel Dankhopf
  • interrogation
  • Clermont bank vault
Q3

Why do the German tankers agree to help open the vault?

After their Tiger tank is damaged and the Americans' Sherman breaks down, Crapgame proposes a deal: the Germans will use their Tiger's cannon to blast open the bank vault in exchange for an equal share of the gold. The German crew accepts because they're offered $875,000 each, far more than they'd receive from losing the battle.

  • German tank deal
  • Tiger tank
  • vault doors
  • sharing gold
Q4

What happens to General Colt at the end of the movie?

General Colt unknowingly stumbles into the conflict after intercepting radio communications, believing an ambitious Army unit is advancing successfully. Big Joe tricks him by misleading radio reports, allowing the soldiers to escape with the gold. Meanwhile, the French in Clermont celebrate, mistakenly believing Colt is General de Gaulle, which further obscures his understanding of what happened.

  • General Colt
  • de Gaulle confusion
  • escape
  • Big Joe trickery
Q5

Why do the Americans lose their vehicles to friendly fire?

An Allied fighter-bomber pilot mistakes Kelly's unit for enemy troops and strafes them, destroying their vehicles. This forces Kelly's infantry to continue the mission on foot, leading to further casualties when they encounter a minefield.

  • friendly fire
  • fighter-bomber
  • losing vehicles
  • foot march
Q6

Why does Big Joe initially refuse to join Kelly's plan?

Big Joe is skeptical because the operation involves stealing gold from behind enemy lines while fighting German forces, with little support and high risk of death or court-martial. Kelly eventually persuades him by emphasizing the massive reward and the opportunity for redemption.

  • Big Joe
  • refusal
  • persuasion
  • heist risk
Q7

How do Kelly's men die in the minefield?

After losing their vehicles to friendly fire, Kelly's unit continues on foot and marches through a minefield. Private Grace is killed by a hidden explosive. When a German patrol responds to the blast, PFC Mitchell and Corporal Job are killed before Kelly's unit can engage the enemy.

  • minefield
  • Private Grace
  • Mitchell
  • Job deaths
Q8

Why does Oddball decide to help Kelly?

Oddball, a laid-back tank commander, overhears Kelly discussing the gold heist and decides to offer his three unassigned M4 Sherman tanks to the operation. His motivation appears to be the promise of sharing in the gold fortune, and he's drawn to the adventure and audacity of the plan.

  • Oddball
  • Sherman tanks
  • joining heist
  • gold share
Q9

Why does the bridge get destroyed during the advance?

An Allied fighter-bomber strike accidentally destroys the crucial bridge that Kelly's forces need to cross to reach Clermont. This unexpected setback forces Oddball to coordinate with an engineering unit to construct a new crossing, delaying their advance.

  • bridge destruction
  • fighter-bomber
  • engineering unit
  • crossing
Q10

How much gold does each soldier get at the end?

After the German Tiger tank blasts open the bank vault, the gold is divided equally. Both the American soldiers and the German tank crew walk away with $875,000 each, equivalent to approximately $15 million in 2023 money.

  • gold division
  • $875000 each
  • treasure share
  • fortune
Q11

Why is Captain Maitland distracted during the heist?

Captain Maitland is occupied with a visit to his influential uncle, a General who is busy stealing a luxurious yacht. This distraction allows Kelly's platoon to pursue the gold heist without close supervision from their commanding officer.

  • Captain Maitland
  • General uncle
  • yacht
  • distraction

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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