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Three Kings

  • 19991999
  • RR
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
170K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,176
552
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube in Three Kings (1999)
Trailer
Play trailer0:27
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Comedy

In the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War, four soldiers set out to steal gold that was stolen from Kuwait, but they discover people who desperately need their help.In the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War, four soldiers set out to steal gold that was stolen from Kuwait, but they discover people who desperately need their help.In the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War, four soldiers set out to steal gold that was stolen from Kuwait, but they discover people who desperately need their help.

IMDb RATING
7.1/10
170K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,176
552
  • Director
    • David O. Russell
  • Writers
    • John Ridley(story)
    • David O. Russell(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • George Clooney
    • Mark Wahlberg
    • Ice Cube
Top credits
  • Director
    • David O. Russell
  • Writers
    • John Ridley(story)
    • David O. Russell(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • George Clooney
    • Mark Wahlberg
    • Ice Cube
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 580User reviews
    • 119Critic reviews
    • 82Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 8 wins & 19 nominations

    Videos1

    Three Kings
    Trailer 0:27
    Three Kings

    Photos168

    George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze in Three Kings (1999)
    Ice Cube in Three Kings (1999)
    Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze in Three Kings (1999)
    Mark Wahlberg in Three Kings (1999)
    George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube in Three Kings (1999)
    George Clooney in Three Kings (1999)
    George Clooney, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze in Three Kings (1999)
    George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube in Three Kings (1999)
    Ice Cube as Chief Elgin
    Barlow, Elgin and Vig
    Elgin, Gates & Vig
    Entering the storeroom

    Top cast

    Edit
    George Clooney
    George Clooney
    • Archie Gatesas Archie Gates
    Mark Wahlberg
    Mark Wahlberg
    • Troy Barlowas Troy Barlow
    Ice Cube
    Ice Cube
    • Chief Elginas Chief Elgin
    Spike Jonze
    Spike Jonze
    • Conrad Vigas Conrad Vig
    Cliff Curtis
    Cliff Curtis
    • Amir Abdulahas Amir Abdulah
    Nora Dunn
    Nora Dunn
    • Adriana Cruzas Adriana Cruz
    Jamie Kennedy
    Jamie Kennedy
    • Walter Wogamanas Walter Wogaman
    Saïd Taghmaoui
    Saïd Taghmaoui
    • Captain Saidas Captain Said
    • (as Said Taghmaoui)
    Mykelti Williamson
    Mykelti Williamson
    • Colonel Hornas Colonel Horn
    Holt McCallany
    Holt McCallany
    • Captain Van Meteras Captain Van Meter
    Judy Greer
    Judy Greer
    • Cathy Daitchas Cathy Daitch
    Christopher Lohr
    • Teebauxas Teebaux
    Jon Sklaroff
    Jon Sklaroff
    • Pacoas Paco
    Liz Stauber
    Liz Stauber
    • Debbie Barlow, Troy's Wifeas Debbie Barlow, Troy's Wife
    Marsha Horan
    • Amir's Wifeas Amir's Wife
    Alia Shawkat
    Alia Shawkat
    • Amir's Daughteras Amir's Daughter
    Jabir Algarawi
    • Hairdressing Twin #1as Hairdressing Twin #1
    Ghanem Algarawi
    • Hairdressing Twin #2as Hairdressing Twin #2
    • Director
      • David O. Russell
    • Writers
      • John Ridley(story)
      • David O. Russell(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A small group of adventurous American soldiers in Iraq at the end of the Gulf War are determined to steal a huge cache of gold reputed to be hidden somewhere near their desert base. Finding a map they believe will take them to the gold, they embark on a journey that leads to unexpected discoveries, enabling them to rise to a heroic challenge that drastically changes their lives. —imran
    • original story
    • heist
    • sex on a chair
    • woman on top
    • cell phone trace
    • 152 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • In a war without heroes they are kings
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Adventure
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • War
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for graphic war violence, language and some sexuality
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sayed Moustafa Al-Qazwini, who plays an Iraqi defector, who sells Major Gates cars stolen from Kuwait, was, in real life, tortured and kicked in the eye by Saddam Hussein's security forces, blinding him in that eye. Like many advisors and extras in the film, he is an actual refugee from Iraq.
    • Goofs
      When Troy was shot, the kevlar flak vest he wore would not have provided proper protection from a bullet. Had he been wearing the military interceptor vest, this may have stopped a round from an Ak-47.
    • Quotes

      Archie Gates: You're scared, right?

      Conrad Vig: Maybe.

      Archie Gates: The way it works is, you do the thing you're scared shitless of, and you get the courage AFTER you do it, not before you do it.

      Conrad Vig: That's a dumbass way to work. It should be the other way around.

      Archie Gates: I know. That's the way it works.

    • Alternate versions
      The Australian theatrical release omits a brief close up of a woman being shot in the head by one of Saddam's soldiers. This was done to avoid an R rating. This scene cut from the Australian release in order to obtain an MA rating for theatrical release were restored for the VHS and DVD releases, thus restoring the original R rating.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Double Jeopardy/Jakob the Liar/Mumford (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      I Just Want to Celebrate
      Written by Nick Zesses and Dino Fekaris

      Performed by Rare Earth

      Courtesy of Motown Record Company, L.P.

      Under License from Universal Music Special Markets

    User reviews580

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Funny, shocking, thought provoking and honest.
    A film for anyone who ever relishes the triumphal note of western war films, who gets carried away by the moral high of being on the winning side. For those who saw the good in the Gulf War, saw how many people America helped and was proud to live in the Western world.

    Three Kings is an anti-war film. Its opening scenes are not the declaration of war, but soldiers celebrating its end. Then coming to grips with its consequences.

    Of course, Saddam Hussein is depicted in the customary role of the villain, but then so is George Bush whose abandonment of the Iraqi people he had called to rise against Saddam is illustrated with examples of human suffering - emotional as well as physical.

    Don't get the idea that this is a bleak and 'worthy' film, in many ways it is, but it does it with such style and black humour - that forces you to laugh even while being disgusted or perturbed - that it is eminently watchable. But still edgy, I was pleased to see one couple walk out (though they might just have gone to the toilet, who knows, I was absorbed by the film and didn't pay enough attention).

    Director, David O Russell, ensures that the film never gets carried away with action scenes - bullets have consequences (good and bad) even when fired by an all-American soldier. There is some stunning cinematography. Particularly shocking to me was when Iraqi soldiers fire at a tanker. Nothing's more shocking than the unexpected and dramatically understated (I didn't see the trailer, though I believe that scene was actually in it).

    There are some interesting cinematic devices in the film. The next time that sepsis comes into conversation I'm sure anyone who has seen the film will call to mind scenes of a bullet travelling through the body. I've seen less violent films than some people, but have been swept away by their power many times - become blasé about bullets and cinematic death. I've seen it all too often before to care about nameless victims that stand in the way of the power, wit, and understanding of the hard-bitten, long-serving soldier, wielding a justice in the shape of a gun.

    Russell claimed to make every bullet count in the film, and in one memorably calm scene of confusion and crossfire, he certainly does. The style of the film however doesn't detract from its content. Three Kings doesn't have pretensions of addressing difficult issues by showing the manly, serious face of George Clooney looking a little concerned after killing a few dozen of the enemy. It has intelligent dialogue and moving scenes of confrontation between the opposing ideologies of the Americans and their 'allies' and 'enemies' alike.

    Not the best date movie in the world. Funny, shocking, thought provoking and honest, 8.5/10.
    helpful•81
    31
    • Gem-22
    • Mar 25, 2000

    FAQ2

    • Did George Clooney really hit David O. Russell on set?
    • If Chief is a worshipper of Jesus, why is he praying with the Muslims in the cave?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 1, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • WarnerBros.com
    • Languages
      • English
      • Arabic
    • Also known as
      • Spoils of War
    • Filming locations
      • Casa Grande, Arizona, USA
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Village Roadshow Pictures
      • Village-A.M. Partnership
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $75,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $60,652,036
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $15,847,636
      • Oct 3, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $107,752,036
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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