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.
- Director
- Writers
- John Ridley(story)
- David O. Russell(screenplay)
- Stars
- Director
- Writers
- John Ridley(story)
- David O. Russell(screenplay)
- Stars
- Awards
- 8 wins & 19 nominations
Videos1
- Captain Saidas Captain Said
- (as Said Taghmaoui)
- Director
- Writers
- John Ridley(story)
- David O. Russell(screenplay)
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
- All cast & crew
Storyline
- Taglines
- In a war without heroes they are kings
- Genres
- Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
- Rated R for graphic war violence, language and some sexuality
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaSayed 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.
- GoofsWhen 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 versionsThe 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.
- ConnectionsFeatured in At the Movies: Double Jeopardy/Jakob the Liar/Mumford (1999)
- SoundtracksI 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
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.
- Gem-22
- Mar 25, 2000
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Spoils of War
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- 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
- Runtime1 hour 54 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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