IMDb > Three Kings (1999)
Three Kings
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Three Kings (1999) More at IMDbPro »

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Three Kings (1999) -- In the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War, 4 soldiers set out to steal gold that was stolen from Kuwait, but they discover people who desperately need their help.
Three Kings (1999) -- hv post
Three Kings (1999) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   64,716 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
John Ridley (story)
David O. Russell (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Three Kings on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1 October 1999 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
In a war without heroes they are kings more
Plot:
In the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War, 4 soldiers set out to steal gold that was stolen from Kuwait, but they discover people who desperately need their help. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
5 wins & 13 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(119 articles)
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User Comments:
overlooked gem shows what a modern war really is more (538 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

George Clooney ... Archie Gates

Mark Wahlberg ... Troy Barlow

Ice Cube ... Chief Elgin

Spike Jonze ... Conrad Vig

Cliff Curtis ... Amir Abdulah

Nora Dunn ... Adriana Cruz

Jamie Kennedy ... Walter Wogaman
Saïd Taghmaoui ... Captain Said (as Said Taghmaoui)

Mykelti Williamson ... Colonel Horn

Holt McCallany ... Captain Van Meter

Judy Greer ... Cathy Daitch
Christopher Lohr ... Teebaux
Jon Sklaroff ... Paco

Liz Stauber ... Debbie Barlow, Troy's Wife
Marsha Horan ... Amir's Wife
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Spoils of War (USA) (original script title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for graphic war violence, language and some sexuality.
Runtime:
114 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Anthony Wiethoff was originally cast for the part of Cut Troy's Cuff Soldier but left the set due to disagreements with director David O. Russell's scenes of torture of US soldiers. more
Goofs:
Errors in geography: Just after they start driving for the Iranian border, a saguaro cactus can be seen in the background. Saguaros are only found in the Sonoran desert (the Southwestern US and Mexico, where the film was shot.) more
Quotes:
Archie Gates: Load the people into the Humvee!
Troy Barlow: There's no room!
Archie Gates: Make room!
Troy Barlow: Whatever happened to necessity?
Archie Gates: It just changed!
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
I Get Around more

FAQ

Did George Clooney really hit David O. Russell on set?
more
72 out of 89 people found the following comment useful.
overlooked gem shows what a modern war really is, 29 March 2000
9/10
Author: Rick-34 (rick_desper@yahoo.com) from United States

It's hard to really adequately describe this movie. Let me try.

For starters, in spite of the advertisements, it's not merely a remake of "Kelly's Heroes". Yes, we are in a postwar situation, where a bunch of Americans are trying to "recover" gold stolen by the enemy, but that's the end of the similarities.

"Three Kings" does an excellent job of showing just how gonzo modern warfare has become. You've got unemployed reservists going to the Middle East for kicks fighting Saddam, who uses gas attacks, electric shock torture and other atrocities to fight the rebels. Thrown in the mix are a U.S.-educated Iraqi whose businesses were destroyed by the Americans, a bunch of rebels and refugees living in bunkers, a CNN-type correspondent facing the threat of younger reporters, and Mark Wahlberg's character finding a cell phone in the Iraqi bunker and using it to call his wife in the U.S.

The movie is extremely funny at times, graphically violent at times, but always on target. It provides a lot of insight into how non-Americans view the U.S. I cannot think of another major movie which showed people in a third-world country as modern people without patronizing. Even the soldiers shooting at our heros, gassing the refugees, and torturing Mark Wahlberg's character are shown as human beings.

Somehow this movie got lost last year amongst all the hype for "American Beauty". "Three Kings" looks to have much more staying power. George Clooney continues to shine in yet another under-appreciated performance. For somebody with a Hollywood legacy, he really seems to have pushed some of the wrong buttons in Hollywood. I cannot think of any other explanation for why he has yet to achieve the acclaim his performances deserve.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Three Kings (1999)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Funniest Scene vlechtja
I don't understand.. maellereita
Okay, so how did they get the gold home? viking73
Why is the title 'Three Kings' texmexmartin
Why Three Kings? jaguax
how bad is the sex scene? josh-1164
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