Plot: What’s it about?
World War II changed us as a nation forever. With the sheer range of battles, victories and defeats, it’s no wonder that there have been movies, television series, books and every other type of media coverage since literally the day it was over. Now some of these movies tried to take a light-hearted look at World War II, the title in mention (Kelly’s Heroes) was one, and another is Mister Roberts. While these movies didn’t try and make fun of war, they had the right blend of action and humor to make it interesting and enjoyable to watch (they parallel “Three Kings” as a modern day war movie that has all of these specificiations as well). While comparisions are bound to be drawn between movies like this and The Dirty Dozen (which was a much more dramatic movie), it’s these two that literally stand out as being the most popular. Of course, with a subject so broad as war, there’s also stories within each aspect of it. Movies like Patton, which won Best Picture and The Great Escape which concentrated on the prisioner-aspect part of war…there’s a war movie for you, if this is your thing. Heck…we’re still making movies about World War II, take a look at Saving Private Ryan. It’s no wonder that movies like this will most likely never get old and always be interesting to watch…over and over.
We meet Kelly (Clint Eastwood) and Big Joe (Telly Salavas) in the midst of World War II. They have been moved around time and time again and are getting real sick of it. Big Joe is the Sergeant who is basically in control of the troops, as the Captain is more interested in seeing if he can get his sailboat back to the base! With the capture of a German officer, Kelly discovers that there are some 14,000 bars of gold that the Germans have been keeping secret (something which Three Kings had as well…). Of course, the Germans are the enemy and taking their gold in addition to defeating them would be the icing on the cake. So it’s up to Kelly and his rough group of soldiers to try and make it happen. Trying to get a group of men together, though is a lot more tough that it looks. With the help of “Communications Officer” Crapgame (Don Rickles), all they need now is a group of Sherman tanks! Leave it to “Oddball” (Donald Sutherland) and his crew of “interesting” soldiers to provide that. Sutherland is just odd enough as a person and has a very relaxed way of performing that makes him perfect for the part. When most people think of Kelly’s Heroes, they think of Oddball…at least I do.
While this summary didn’t go much into the plot, there isn’t muc of a plot to summarize. For a 140 minute movie, it can be described in a number of words. The movie, some 30 years old now (that’s hard to believe), has never lost that timeless look or feel that has made it one of the most popular movies of the last generation. An early Clint Eastwood movie, and featuting an all star cast, it’s hard not to have seen Kelly’s Heroes on TBS at some point in every person’s life. Now don’t expect to laugh all the way through, there are some serious moments, but it’s really Oddball that steals the show. As part of “The Clint Eastwood Collection”, this is it’s first (of many, I’m sure) incarnation on the DVD format and it’s never looked or sounded better. For a great movie, with a great cast and a terrific movie, check out Kelly’s Heroes.
Video: How does it look?
This movie is now officially 30 years old, and one thing I have to say is that I’m glad movies that are 30 years old look this good! Shown in it’s original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, the image is indeed enhanced for widescreen TV’s. Detail is as sharp as I’ve seen, moreso that a lot of newer releases. While there are some trouble spots, I just kept considering that the film and most likely, the print used, is that old. Black levels are dead on target and there is a very minimal edge enhancement. This is truly one fine looking DVD.
Audio: How does it sound?
One of the benefits of DVD is that older movies can be remastered to today’s audio standards. The thing is that most movies more than 10 years old can never really take advantage of the standard that today’s movies set. Kelly’s Heroes has been remastered in a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack from it’s orignal mono mix. The film basically sounds like a mono movie with some surround effects placed here and there. While some movies like “Guys and Dolls”, “Westside Story” and “American Gigolo” sound very good in their respective soundtracks, this one I would have personally preferred in it’s original format. Still, it was done in the best interest of the consumer, so not all is bad. A rather good mix, all things considering…
Supplements: What are the extras?
Basically all this has is the trailer and some cast bios, though only Clint Eastwood’s are selectable. Quite a shame considering the great cast that this movie features…
