IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Three Kings (1999)
Three Kings
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Three Kings (1999) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 112 | slideshow) Videos (see all 5)
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) -- AllTrailers.net - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   64,929 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 5% 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
User Comments:
overlooked gem shows what a modern war really is more (537 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
more
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:
Barlow, Vig, and Elgin are wearing the patch of the U.S. Civil Affairs/Psychological Operations Command, and indeed, Barlow identifies himself as being a Civil Affairs Soldier. Barlow also makes reference to being a reservist, which rings true given that two of the three Army Civil Affairs groups are Reserve Component. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: When Mark Wahlberg's character is interrogated by Said Taghmaoui's character in the bunker, Taghmaoui tells him that "the black man make the hair straight and the skin white," but in 1991 (the time period at which the movie's action takes place), Michael Jackson still had curly hair and relatively "medium"-colored skin - in contrast to his appearance in 1998/1999, when the movie was actually made, it was then that Michael Jackson had significantly changed his appearance to "look white." more
Quotes:
Amir Abdullah: You know what I think? You're stealing gold, that's what I think. We're fighting Saddam and dying, and you're stealing gold.
Archie Gates: You're wrong.
Amir Abdullah: They have half a million men in the desert and they send four guys to pick up all this bullion? I don't think so.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Gloria (Cum Sancto Spiritu in Gloria Dei Patris) 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.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (537 total)

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
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Babel Live Free or Die Hard Team America: World Police C'est arrivé près de chez vous
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.