Coming from the writer of The Italian Job, it’s also a heist film as well.
Our TV movie pick for this evening (Thursday, 9 January) is Kelly’s Heroes, the 1970 war comedy-drama heist film.
Set during WWII, it centres on an array of colourful American soldiers who get inside information from a drunk German officer about millions of dollars worth of gold hidden on enemy soil.
As such, Kelly (Clint Eastwood) – a private with the platoon – devises a plan to sneak past the German officers to steal the loot for his crew.
Recruiting more men, the private sets his plan into action – with the team enduring several casualties in their efforts to carry out the heist.
The group, however, are determined to press forward, “even if it means striking a deal with the opposing army”.
Written by Troy Kennedy Martin (who penned the script for the original Italian Job), the cast of Kelly’s Heroes also includes Carroll O’Connor, Don Rickles, Donald Sutherland and Telly Savalas.
Praised upon release for its blend of a heist and a war story and for its satirical elements, in 2009, Channel 4 included the movie in a list of the 100 greatest war films of all time.
Kelly’s Heroes is airing on TV this evening at 7pm on BBC Four. It is also available to rent on Apple TV, Google Play, Microsoft, Rakuten TV and the Sky Store.
Here are the other movies airing on TV tonight:
Mission: Impossible – Fallout – Film4 – 9pm
The best of the Mission: Impossibles.
12 Angry Men – Sky Arts – 9pm
This legendary legal drama is set entirely in a jury room as 12 men deliberate the conviction or acquittal of a teenager charged with murder.
My Cousin Vinny – Comedy Central – 9pm
In this beloved Oscar-winning comedy, two New Yorkers accused of murder in rural Alabama call in the help of one of their cousins, a loudmouth lawyer with no trial experience (Joe Pesci).
Red Heat – ITV4 – 9pm
In this solid ’80s action flick, a Russian cop (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is forced to team up with an American detective (Jim Belushi) in order to take down a dangerous criminal.
The Wild Geese – Legend – 9pm
A ’70s action war fllm in which mercenaries (played by Richard Burton, Roger Moore and Richard Harris) for a London banker parachute into Africa to put a useful president back in power.
Where Eagles Dare – BBC Four – 10.20pm
An earlier WWII movie with Clint Eastwood from the director of Kelly’s Heroes, Brian G. Hutton.
Moulin Rouge! – BBC One – 10.40pm
The beloved Paris-set musical with Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman.
Hannibal Rising – Sky Sci-Fi – 11pm
A not very good prequel to The Silence of the Lambs about the younger years of Hannibal Lecter.
Hannie Caulder – Legend Xtra – 11.35pm
A ’70s Western starring Raquel Welch, Robert Culp and Ernest Borgnine that Quentin Tarantino cites as a favourite of his.
Bad Boys – Film4 – 11.55pm
“Bad boys, bad boys / Whatcha gonna do?”
Read more:
- Netflix adds new series with major connection to Oscar-winning Western
- One of Ireland’s best movies ever is now available to stream for free on YouTube
- The JOE Film Club Quiz: Week 28
- Danny Dyer compares his new movie filming in Dublin to Colin Farrell classic
- Prime Video has just added 2024’s absolute scariest movie
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