Was the first war caper film?

Rating: 9/10 (28 September 2007)

I'm really not qualified to answer that question but it was the first war caper film I've ever seen. This movie deftly weaves comedy, suspense, and social commentary into one of those films that could be categorized in any number of genres. While it doesn't seek to address the loftier questions about war and the civilians caught in it's crossfire like a "Three Kings" does "Kelly's Heroes" does raise interesting points about war as a tool for individual economic betterment. During the scene where Kelly and the men attempt to sway Telley Savales to join their caper Cowboy points out angrily in his distinct Texas twang, "We're getting shot at for 50 bucks a month." Perhaps a throw away line for some I see it as a dilemma something that has plagued soldiers throughout much of modern war. Looting, profiteering, etc. used to be the means to compensate soldiers during ancient warfare, however with the advent of the salaried army and strict rules against looting the average grunt is forced choose to either abide by them or break them. In many cases like with Captain Matlin, grunts are forced to turn the other cheek while their commanding officers line their pockets with stolen property but insist the guys who risk the most can't do the same. That all aside the bottom line is this movie is funny, smart, and has expertly shot battle sequences. Any time Don Rickles plays a character named Crapgame and Donald Sutherland plays an anachronistic hippie who implies using LSD, "Why don't you come over tonight Crapgame and we'll show you" I'm all in!