Kelly’s Heroes 1970

Curator: Look at this! Jack Davis’s poster for “Kelly’s Heroes,” created in 1970. The caricatured figures and dynamic composition grab your attention immediately, don’t they? Editor: It does possess a peculiar exuberance, considering it's a war movie poster. The bold outlines, the garish, almost cartoonish figures marching forward…It lacks the gravity one might expect. Curator: Precisely! Consider the semiotics at play. The central image features four soldiers jauntily marching, but look at what they carry. Boxes of gold! The flag replaced by an enormous dollar bill! What is the statement here about avarice within a military context? Editor: The social and political commentary seems unmistakable, given the period. The Vietnam War was at its height, anti-war sentiment saturated culture…This piece feels like a sardonic critique of the military-industrial complex. The jets overhead also help build that sense of dark irony, especially contrasted with those happy cartoon figures. Curator: Note the skillful use of line, too. The rhythmic repetition of the marching legs, the sharp angles of the gold bars, the soft curvature of the dollar bill - everything moves the eye purposefully. And then look how he uses negative space; he uses that for implied movement so subtly. Editor: And let's not forget the actors represented! Big names from the 70's! How this image must have worked in drawing movie goers' interests by recognizing those caricatures. The commercial intent within that kind of visual strategy has undeniable relevance. Also, note the slogan included "Up the brass!", such a bold declaration against war morale. Curator: Ultimately, Davis captures a cynical perspective through this seemingly playful style, making the viewer complicit in both laughing at and pondering the cost of war. Editor: Absolutely. Beyond a piece of advertising, this poster serves as a snapshot of a very specific cultural and historical moment—a time when attitudes toward war were rapidly shifting, challenging social norms, and saturating both Hollywood and Washington, DC.