G'day M.A., In its own, strange, way, the late, great Donald Sutherland, Clint Eastwood and more than a handful of other great actors that appear in this film; had a direct effect on my future life. Two years after this film was made, I joined the Australian air force (RAAF). My first major posting was to a large, base that had its own, WW2-era, dedicated, cinema. 'Kelly's Heroes' was regularly screened there, by popular demand and, I heard, because it was the projectionist's favourite film. At that time, Australia was beginning to wind down its involvement in Vietnam and almost suddenly 'anti-war' films and satire-films on war were popular. The base cinema also screened other great classic films and over a year or so I became deeply interested in motion pictures. Anyway, after my enlistment in the RAAF ended, I began part-time work on a film book that was, eventually, the second of my books, published in 1985. So many of the people in 'Kelly's Heroes' became my favourite actors. The director, Brian Hutton was a true 'unsung hero' of the film world and the composer, Lalo Schifrin, gave us the iconic theme music to the TV series 'Mission Impossible', which is still used and inspires the 'Mission Impossible' film music to this very day. As I matured and continued my work on appreciating and writing about films; I felt I ‘grew up’ with its stars, like Don Rickles (my all-time favourite US comic), Telly Savalas, Carrol O’Connor, Clint Eastwood and, of course, Donald Sutherland. These days, I could write a book just about ‘Kelly’s Heroes’. Each time I watched it I discovered something ‘new’; some nuance or tiny bit of satire that I missed when I was much younger. Donald Sutherland (Oddball) continued to impress me with the amazing range he had as an actor. I learned that Donald Sutherland was a dedicated anti-war activist beginning with taking part in anti-Vietnam activities which ‘earned’ him his own NSA and CIA files that, fortunately, didn’t have a negative outcome for his growing popularity or his level of on-going work. Sorry, John Wayne fans, but he never convinced me for even a couple of hours he wasn’t ‘the Duke’; but this was not all his fault. As it happened, privately, and in a couple of rare TV appearances, John Wayne had a great sense of humour and could have played ‘full-on’ comedy but, back then, the ‘studio system’ was all powerful and they never wanted to kill the image of the most popular Western star in living memory. Donald Sutherland was the exact opposite. He was able to ‘become’ a totally different person with each role he, convincingly, played. The respected New York Times journalist, Alissa Wilkinson, wrote upon Donald’s passing; perhaps the best summation of a truly talented actor I’ve ever read in nearly 50-years of film appreciation; she wrote: “The long list of Sutherland's roles and accomplishments shows a man who understood emotion well. But it's this marriage of suspicion and empathy, human feeling and the fear of humanity gone wrong, that secured his place in acting history and made him an uncommon kind of star. He didn't disappear into a role, not exactly; he was too distinctive for that. More often, the role disappeared into him, and the result was something unforgettable”. - Alissa Wilkinson Donald’s first ‘career move’ was to the UK where he played minor roles in popular series TV, like ‘The Avengers’, etc. He soon was in regular work there. His part in the ‘smash hit’ American film ‘The Dirty Dozen’ (1967) which was shot in the UK, prompted him to move to the US where, basically, he was never out of work again, despite his vigorous anti-war politics that, sadly, damaged the careers’ of others. In ‘Kelly’s Heroes’ his ‘Oddball’ character is about as anti-war as it gets and this did nothing but increase his wide audience appeal. His range of characters is almost as impressive as the mammoth list of Canadian actors who have made an indelible mark on cinema, and the stage, all over the world. Look up ‘Canadian actors’ in Wikipedia and you’ll be astonished by the ‘legions’ of Canadian talent that have graced the big and small screens, almost, since they were invented. I genuinely regret that during my time as a film journalist I never had an opportunity to meet and interview Donald; that would have been an unforgettable experience. Time has robbed us of another great person who was a talented, intelligent, clever and thoughtful actor. The fantastic thing about actors, directors and film people in general; they have a level of ‘immortality’ that the majority of people can never imagine. Vale Donald Sutherland and thank you. Bill H.

Donald Sutherland (Oddball), RIP.

I think Kelly's the only one of the Heroes left as of 6/20/2024

$16 million in gold in1944 would now be over $280 million in 2024

RIP Donald Sutherland 👼

Best damn war movie ever made to date!!! RIP Oddball!!

Probably the most entertaining, rewatchable and quotable war movie ever made. ✌️

Saw this on the base in Germany in 1970 (army brat) Oddball made quite an impression on my 12 year old mind, glad it's still revered as a classic! Thank you Mr Sutherland

It's just one of those movies that will never get old. Great story. The Up Yours and the end says it all.

I have asked my missus to have the theme song played last at my funeral. The line "people tried to warn me but i guess i didn't care" just seems to fit so well! Hope it gets a few laughs...🤣🤣🤣❤❤❤

Nothing makes peace between enemies than a bunch of gold

Kelly’s Heroes is hands down one of the best movies ever written and produced.

The exchange of looks when Kelly meets Oddball is pure genius - ! 😅

RIP Donald Sutherland...aka Oddball✌

Woof Woof !! Raising my glass high for you oddball !! Thank you for all of the years of top notch entertainment.

Woof Woof !!!! For Donald Sutherland RIP

RIP, Donald. EPIC ACTOR, TRUE CANADIAN! Your work is loved. Between M.A.S.H. and Kelly's Heros, I dont which you shone more in. God Speed❤

RIP Oddball. Donald Sutherland, one of the great actors of his generation. 💔

RIP Donald Sutherland

"Always with the negative vibes, Moriarty. Always the negative vibes!"

My deepest condolences to his family. RIP 🙏

Rest in Peace and Love Forever Donald Sutherland aka Odd Ball. I've had a crunch on you most of my Adult life! My condolences go out to your family and especially Kiefer as they deal with your passing on June 20th, 2024! Bless your heart and soul for all the journeys you have taken us on as iconic characters in the fabulous films your were in. Proud to be a fellow Canadian!! Woof woof! 🕊❤️🇨🇦💫🪷🙏🏼

My favourite war film 😊❤

Beautiful childhood memories, I sneaked out while my grandparents were sleeping and watched this on TV. Looks like I need to watch it again, 30 years later.

Wonderful movie, one of my all time favourites.

I saw that in when it first came out...I was 13, and I have always loved the song Burning Bridges.

My favorite movie of all time, for me, even better than Star Wars. And that is truly saying something as I really like Star Wars.

Oddball is a national treasure.

M.A.S.H. Space Cowboys, Kelly's Heroes. Godspeed, my old friend. I'll see you on the other side one day.

RIP oddball!

My high school sweetheart and I enjoyed this movie at the theater! Laughed till our sides hurt throughout the film!❤❤👍😂🤣

Legend Donald Sutherland

Donald Southerland was.one hell of and actor

My favourite movie ever. The aura and invincibility of the Tiger Tank is perfectly played out in this movie. " those aren't Mulligans mortars anymore, they're german 88's "

One of my favorite movies! ❤

I was 13 when this movie was new in then theaters and love it as much now as I did then. RIP Don, you were great!

One of the greatest movies ever!!! I watch it at least once a year even now LOL!!!

Woof woof woof woof

One of Eastwood's best movies. The cast was incredible. The director was a genius showing the shots of the faces of the soldiers as Kelly handed them a golden bar to win them over to do what he wanted. I knew this was a timeless classic when I saw it in a theater in 1970. Movies like this don't exist anymore.

This is how war movies should be fun, entertaining, wholesome :)

Such a great cast. You know someone will try to remake it, it’ll suck if they do

It's so nice to watch a movie where all the actors are having fun making the movie!

RIP Donald Sutherland "Oddball"

"We could be heroes for . . . three days." Wondering if this influenced the David Bowie song, "Heroes."

RIP #2 Donald Southerland from the Dirty Dozen

Odd Ball was a dingbat, but the dude knew the limits of his vehicle. The moment he said he uses paint rounds though? Nah. We gonna go with the fellas from the 8th ACR. 😆

REST IN PEACE DONALD SOUTHERLAND !!!!!!!!!

Love this film to death ❤ Rest In Peace, Don Sutherland. Never another like you, sir. 😢

This was a awesome movie......... some of the best actors for the time.

Thank you for telling us to knock it off those negative waves.

RIP Donald Sutherland (Oddball). In the scene with the meeting with Tiger commander, Sutherland had serious back injury, he was in a lot of pain during that scene.

Rest In Peace, Donald Sutherland, who recently passed away.😢

Great scene's but my favourite will always be showdown with the Tiger.

Best world war movie number 1 forever

Loved that movie, and that era of movies.

Truly a Great Movie...Truly!!!

R.I.P. Donald Sutherland. Allá a Legend!..."" 🙏🌈🌟🪖

Rest in peace, oddball.

One of the best movies ever made the greatest actors the world will ever know 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😃😃😃👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Remember, 16 million worth of gold in 1944 would be around 1.8 *BILLION* at today's gold prices.

Telly's golden year.

The greatest quote in this film, "THIS IS NUTS!" . I can't hold my laugh for any of them being crazy behind enemy line. 😂

One of the greatest movies ever made.

This should be called Kelly's Heroes in twelve and a half minutes. Motion Attached, you are a genius!

thanks for the memories.

Sorry to see you go Donald, gonna miss you, voff voff

Oddballs probably the best thing about this movie RIP oddball

While the movie and all the actors were so great. I never forgot oddball. R.I.P. Donald!🙏

I love this movie. Its like Three Kings but WW2 scenario.

What a All Star cast!

Great movie of the 70's. All the great superstars in it. Clint really made our day special. War movie with comical scene. 😅

Great summary, well done

Rip Donald Sutherland

Tank Commander rating tanks in movies: "Every tank commander wants to be Oddball. Every one of 'em..." 😁

The hippies at the time didn't much appreciate this flick, but us USAF brats loved it, instant classic, like Vanishing Point!

Great movie!!

Godspeed Mr. Sutherland

When something spectacular happens my grandson and I sometimes look at each other and "Woof Woof" Sutherland's greatest roll.

The funniest and most thoughtful war movie ever made.

I saw this movie at a drive-in back in the day. Still my all time favorite war movie. It played after "Born Losers" on a double feature.

My favorite move also my favorite song .

Wuff! Wuff! RiP Oddball, thanks for memories.

Donald was Canada's gift to the world. RIP

I wagged school and watched this movie (in a cinema), yes I'm that old and persuaded cashier that even underage, and in school uniform I was legit. An afternoon watching this great movie. Epic. RIP Mr Sutherland

Such a great movie.

Yup, that's what war is ALWAYS about - a few guys get rich and the rest of us die to make it happen.

That "$16 Million" would be $285 Million in 2024 $'s. And since Gold is $2,317 an Ounce, it may be more than that.... Also, in Kelly's Heroes, when that guy is asked to multiply in his head some numbers related to the Gold they got - His Math was Wrong. Still loved this movie however.

Fun fact: the story about the stolen gold, is inspired by a real-life gold heist that happened during the end of WWII. It didn't happen in France though, but in Bavaria/ Germany , were a huge stash of Nazi gold was stolen by a group of US Army officers, who allegedly made a deal with members of the Waffen-SS who were supposed to guard the gold. Both parties divided the gold and sold it to a Swiss bank. Only 2 gold bars were recovered, in the mid-80's and officially the case was closed by the German authorities, who spend decades trying to recover the gold.

Love that kelly knows big joe is the man for the job. His plan, but joe runs the outfit

One of my faves. Love the Tiger mock-ups. (especially when Oddball hits one with paint.)

Great summary of this movie. Its everything you want in a war movie when the heat wave is caught you inside the AC--great actors, quotable lines, a plot beside just making it out alive, action that isn't green screen CGI, and comedy besides just the absurdity of military life.

In 1968 I had a high school teacher who was an officer on Gen Patton's staff. Col Vaughn told me they went into a bombed out city and found a bank flush with cash. They liberated the money and bought a brewery. This was years before Kelly's Heroes.

Never gets old!

Love it RIP DS

Que clase de filme tan gracioso.Mi generación lo disfruto mucho.En mi país fue subtitulado con el nombre de: "_ El Botín de los Valientes"_.Las colas eran interminables.Grandes recuerdo de nuestra juventud.

Concise and well done. Thank you for posting

oddball!! brilliant rip donald sutherland !

RIP Donald Sutherland.

My 5 favorite war movies: Kelly's Heroes, Where Eagles Dare, Saving Private Ryan, We Were Soldiers, and Hacksaw Ridge. I know others are considered better and, yes, I have seen them all. This is just my list.

當奴修打蘭是偉大的演員😢RIP 安息