The Rewatch Party 218 - Kelly's Heroes (1970)

Today on The ReWatch Party, Nick, Anthony, Elise, and Loren take on 1970’s Kelly’s Heroes, a World War II heist movie that somehow blends Clint Eastwood’s squinting, Telly Savalas’s endless grenades, Donald Sutherland’s hippie tank commander, and Don Rickles trying really hard not to roast everybody. Between the practical explosions, real tanks, and a suspicious amount of leisure time during wartime, the crew digs into what made this oddball classic tick — and why it barely made any money at the box office.

We break down the movie’s strange mix of gritty action and bizarre counterculture vibes, plus some very questionable German accents. Along the way, we dive into behind-the-scenes chaos like Donald Sutherland’s near-death experience, roast the aggressively cheerful soundtrack, and ask the real questions — like how exactly one plans to steal a sailboat home from a war zone. It’s equal parts appreciation and roast session.

Nick also shares the personal reason behind choosing Kelly’s Heroes as his birthday pick. A sentimental connection gives this episode a little more heart, even as the crew debates whether Big Joe’s endless grenades or Crapgame’s side hustles were the real MVPs.

As for rewatchability? Do the movie’s laid-back charm and odd characters out-compete some challenges with slow pacing that may make it a tougher sell today?  Listen to find out

 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065938/