This humorous, lively, and entertaining picture could be described as a caper film set against a WW II backdrop. Lieutenant Kelly (Clint Eastwood) is an atypical Army man who, while boozing with a captured German general, learns of $16 million worth of gold bars behind enemy lines. Kelly
reveals a plan to his fellow soldiers: They will use their upcoming three-day passes to sneak into enemy territory, steal the gold, bury it, and return after the war to divide it among themselves. Kelly sets the heist in motion, blazing a trail of destruction en route, backed by a wonderfully
colorful cast of characters that includes Donald Sutherland as the appropriately named Oddball, a hippie tank driver; Don Rickles as Crapgame, a hustler and arms supplier; Telly Savalas as the skeptical sergeant who goes along for the ride; and Carroll O'Connor as the egotistical General Colt, who
is glad to be mistaken for General Eisenhower. Directed by Brian G. Hutton, whose previous film was the deadly serious war adventure WHERE EAGLES DARE, this film again features Eastwood, who adds a light-hearted air to the proceedings. The film's most memorable moments are the destruction of the
railroad station, to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad," and the spoof of the spaghetti western musical scores of Ennio Morricone as Kelly and cohorts prepare for a showdown with a Panzer tank. Also deserving mention is the photography of Gabriel Figueroa, the veteran Mexican
cinematographer who worked extensively with Luis Bunuel and Emilio Fernandez.
