See the World War II madcap comedy heist film “Kelly’s Heroes” on the silver screen in the first of the Bosque Film Society’s Free Night At The Movies series in 2023 at The Cliftex Theatre April 25

By MATT WALLACE

Bosque Film Society Founding Board Member & Filmmaker-In-Residence

In the spirit of Oddball suggesting, “Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?” the Bosque Film Society cordially invites the public to a free showing of Clint Eastwood in the 1970 madcap World War II comedy heist film “Kelly’s Heroes” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 at The Cliftex Theatre. Thanks to the film licensing sponsorship by Matt & Miriam Wallace with Mustang International, movie goers will get a chance to see the cult classic on the silver screen once again or possibly for the first time ever absolutely free.

Representing the first of its “Free Night At The Movie” series scheduled for 2023, the Bosque Film Society offers admission to “Kelly’s Heroes” free to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis as seating at the historic Cliftex Theatre will be limited, and the concession stand will be open for purchases.

Directed by Brian G. Hutton and starring Eastwood along with Telly Savalas, and co-stars Don Rickles, Carroll O’Connor, Gavin MacLeod, Harry Dean Stanton and Donald Sutherland as Oddball, “Kelly’s Heroes” tells the caper of a motley crew of American GIs who go AWOL in order to rob a French bank, located behind German lines, of its stored Nazi gold bars.

“For movie goers who know nothing about this film, you have no idea what they’ve been missing,” Bosque Film Society founding board member and filmmaker-in-residence Matt Wallace said. “Just know that the film is not overly serious, the characters are great, there are a lot of famous people having a great time playing some truly memorable characters, and you really ought to check it out.”

Kelly’s Heroes is a unique film from 1970 that has delighted many fans year after year. It’s a fictional WWII story of a band of renegade “regular joes” using the fog of war as a cover for a grand heist. Based on possibly one of the biggest “cover ups” in history, the story is completely fabricated as only Hollywood of the late 1960s and early 1970s could do, and it’s loaded with stars.

The film is a strange concoction of humor, commentary of the chaos and possible futility of war, human nature, clever self-interest, all mixed with the harsh and unforgiving nature of real-life death as the inevitable result of war. Most would consider this film to be a kind of entertaining “romp” through the final days of WWII where the common foot soldier “comes out ahead” for once.

For those who know and love this film, the question is…. “Wouldn’t it be great to see Kelly’s Heroes on the big screen!?!?” The answer is clearly, “Yes!” For those who have seen bits and pieces of it on TV over the years, you really have to treat yourself and “see if for real, at least one time.”

The film was distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, was released June 23, 1970 in the US, has a run time of 146 minutes, was filmed in the United States and Yugoslavia, had a production budget of $4 million, and earned $5.2 million at the box office and through rentals.

Film review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an approval rating of 78 percent based on 23 reviews, with an average rating of 6.83/10. The website’s critical consensus reads: “Kelly’s Heroes subverts its World War II setting with pointed satirical commentary on modern military efforts, offering an entertaining hybrid of heist caper and battlefield action.”

This free-to-the-public screening at the Cliftex will be made possible by Bosque’s own audio-visual production company, Mustang International (aka Matt & Miriam Wallace) in conjunction with the Bosque Film Society. When asked why Mustang International was sponsoring this particular movie, Wallace simply said, “Because I really want to see one of my favorite movies at the Cliftex!”

It’s that simple. He’s not alone. Kelly’s Heroes was a strong contender among notable films within the Bosque Film Society’s voting for movies people wanted to see.

Kicking off a slate of free film showings in 2023, the Bosque Film Society plans to feature “The Mask of Zorro” (1998) for its Cinco de Mayo Free Film Night May 9, followed by the “Striving for Valhalla: Viking & Cycling Weekend” presenting six free films May 18-21, the Second Annual Cowboy Crossroads Film Fest featuring six free classic westerns July 27-30, and the Second Annual Fred Ward Memorial Tribute featuring “Escape From Alcatraz” (1979) and the BFS produced documentary “Out of Nowhere: The Freddie Joe Ward Story” Dec. 26.

“We want to help everyone fall in love with seeing movies in the theatre once again,” Bosque Film Society found board president Brett Voss said. “During the pandemic, we all got a little too comfortable watching all of our favorite films, even the new releases, in our own homes. But there’s nothing quite like the experience of see movies for the first time with others in the theatre, especially one like The Cliftex.”

To find out more about Bosque Film Society presenting films absolutely FREE to the public at the historic Cliftex Theatre, visit our website at www.bosquefilm.com. While there, check out the benefits and reasons for joining the Bosque Film Society.

Every month, the Bosque Film Society hosts its members-only “Film Appreciation Night” series featuring classic films chosen by its members every December. Remaining featured showings in 2023 will be Casablanca (1942) May 30; Amadeus (1984) June 27; Gone With the Wind (1939) July 18; The Big Lebowski (1998) Aug. 29; Lawrence of Arabia (1962) Sept. 26; Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) Oct. 24; Stagecoach (1939) Nov. 28; 4th Annual Christmas Party (film to be determined) Dec.19.

For more information about joining the Bosque Film Society’s non-profit efforts focused on promoting film appreciation, education and production in Bosque County, Texas, while serving as the “Friends of The Cliftex Theatre,” the longest continuously-operating movie theater in Texas, visit our website at: www.bosquefilm.com.