7.1/10
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562 user 158 critic

Three Kings (1999)

Trailer
0:31 | Trailer

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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:

David O. Russell

Writers:

John Ridley (story), David O. Russell (screenplay)
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Popularity
4,576 ( 686)
8 wins & 19 nominations. See more awards »

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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 Marsha Horan ... Amir's Wife
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Storyline

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. Written by imran

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

In a war without heroes they are kings See more »


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for graphic war violence, language and some sexuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Arabic

Release Date:

1 October 1999 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Spoils of War See more »

Filming Locations:

California, USA See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$45,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,847,636, 3 October 1999, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$60,652,036

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$107,752,036
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The propaganda leaflet with pictograms held by the officer with the megaphone, is a copy of an actual leaflet used during the Gulf War to encourage Iraqi soldiers to surrender. See more »

Goofs

The credits list Omar 'Freefly' Alhegelan as "Bunker #1 Lieing Iraqi". The word "Lying" is misspelled. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Troy Barlow: Are we shooting?
Soldier: What?
Troy Barlow: Are we shootin' people or what?
Soldier: Are we shooting?
Troy Barlow: That's what I'm asking you!
Soldier: What's the answer?
Troy Barlow: I don't know the answer! That's what I'm trying to find out!
See more »

Crazy Credits

For Sergeant Major Jim Parker, 1946 - 1998 See more »

Alternate Versions

DVD version includes four deleted scenes:
  • Giving birth: After Troy looks down at the Iraqi soldier he has just shot, we see a flash back to his daughter being born. There is also more footage of the soldiers having their pictures taken with the dead Iraqi soldier.
  • Bunny: During the party at the start of the film, mail is given out. Troy receives photos of his wife and daughter. while Conrad recieves a handgun (which he uses throughout the film), inside a chocolate rabbit.
  • Decoy: After Conrad tells the hairdressing iraqis that "Troy gave me this haircut", Archie sees a stationary verhicle and some sandbags. Conrad accidently shoots at the vehicle, which then rapidly deflates.
  • Snowglobes: After the battle to rescue Troy comes a scene where Archie gathers up loads of snowglobes, which depict the nativity at a petrol station! They then drain these, (a close up of a hand holding the three kings that were within the snowglobes), and drink the water inside.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Entourage: Talk Show (2004) See more »

Soundtracks

The Beast Is Coming
from Unstrung Heroes (1995)
Written by Thomas Newman
Courtesy of Hollywood Records, Inc.
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
Not really a masterpiece, but very original and fun to watch
22 March 2005 | by philip_vandervekenSee all my reviews

If there is one thing you can't accuse the makers of this movie of, than it must be that they weren't original. I don't think I've ever seen a 'war movie' that is sometimes shocking, but also funny, one that criticizes the politicians for what they did during the war, but also offers a big adventure at the same time...

The story goes like this: A few days after the first Gulf War has ended, a group of American soldiers come across a secret Iraqi map. This map reveals where the bunker can be found in which the Iraqi's have stored the gold and the treasure that they had stolen from Kuwait. But they aren't thinking of giving it back to the Kuwaiti's. They want to keep it for themselves and get as rich as kings and so they go on a trip full of adventure. Even though they are very egoistic at first, they aren't blind for what is happening around them. They soon learn that the Iraqi's have been encouraged by the U.S. government to rebel against the regime and fight Sadam Hussein. But the U.S. military refuses to help them with their uprising, which means that the rebels are facing certain death. What should they do? Take the money and run, not caring about the fate of the civilians or helping them across the border into Iran and risking to loose all their wealth...

Calling this a war movie isn't exactly right. It's true that its story is told during the first Gulf war, but the war isn't the most important thing in this movie. Personally I think you better call this an adventure movie, because that's what it really is. They go on an adventure to find a lot of gold.

The acting and the story in this movie are really good and more than just worth a watch. It's an original movie that blends drama, comedy, politics and war together into a fine mixture, but I wouldn't call it a masterpiece. Nevertheless this is a good movie that is certainly worth a watch. I give it a 7.5/10


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