After Long Consideration, One of the Best Ever

Rating: 10/10 (19 January 2007)

I first saw Kelly's Heroes when I was a college student working as a bus boy at the Grand Teton National Park in 1973. That dates me somewhat. At the time, it was a good movie. As the years have passed, the essence of the movie has grown on me. By today's standards, I realize the pace of the movie is sort of slow. The scene where the group is trying to convince Sarge (Telly Savalas) to go, you could time with the minute hand of a watch, for instance. But, in a way, that is the beauty of it. You actually get to see someone act, rather than just admire a good and tight edit job. This is a movie that I love to return to and watch over and over again. It doesn't grow old. I watched it with my 24 year old -- the same age as me when I first saw it -- last night. He was gripped with the cliff hangers the same as I was so long ago, wondering how things would turn out and willing to ask the questions that ultimately have good answers. The social/political commentary is as fresh today as it was during the Viet Nam era during which it was produced. It's also delightful to watch Donald Sutherland as a young actor who was, if not totally goofy in the movie, at least as good as his name (Oddball). To think that he is now sort of a seasoned classic actor! It blows the mind. If you want an oldie that has aged well, Kelly's Heroes won't let you down. It's worth a revisit if you haven't seen it in some time.