# Three Kings

> 1999 film by David O. Russell

**Wikidata**: [Q1357016](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1357016)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Kings_(1999_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/three-kings

## Summary
*Three Kings* is a 1999 film directed by David O. Russell, produced by Village Roadshow Pictures and Paul Junger Witt, and set in the Gulf War. The film stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube as American soldiers who rescue a Saudi prince during the war, blending action, drama, and comedy. It is classified as a heist film, comedy drama, war film, and action film, with a runtime of 110 minutes and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: January 1, 1999 (wide release on February 10, 2000).
- **Director**: David O. Russell.
- **Production Companies**: Village Roadshow Pictures, Paul Junger Witt.
- **Genre**: Heist film, comedy drama, war film, action film.
- **Runtime**: 110 minutes.
- **Country of Origin**: United States.
- **Award Received**: National Board of Review Top Ten Films.
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 94%.
- **IMDb Rating**: 7.8/10.
- **Metacritic Score**: 82/100.
- **Box Office**: $110 million worldwide.
- **Wikidata Description**: "1999 film by David O. Russell."
- **Instance of**: Film.
- **Award Received**: National Board of Review Top Ten Films.
- **Sitelink Count**: 32 (Wikipedia links).
- **Wikipedia Title**: "Three Kings (1999 film)."

## FAQs
**What genre does *Three Kings* belong to?**
*Three Kings* is classified as a heist film, comedy drama, war film, and action film. Its blend of genres reflects its narrative of American soldiers rescuing a Saudi prince during the Gulf War, combining action, humor, and drama.

**Who directed *Three Kings* and which companies produced it?**
The film was directed by David O. Russell and produced by Village Roadshow Pictures and Paul Junger Witt. These production details highlight its commercial and creative origins.

**What are the key ratings and awards for *Three Kings*?**
The film has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%, an IMDb rating of 7.8/10, and a Metacritic score of 82/100. It was also recognized by the National Board of Review as one of the Top Ten Films of 1999.

**Where was *Three Kings* filmed and what is its runtime?**
*Three Kings* was filmed in the United States, primarily in California and Texas. The film has a runtime of 110 minutes, balancing its action-packed plot with comedic and dramatic elements.

**What is the plot of *Three Kings*?**
The film follows three American soldiers—played by George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube—who rescue a Saudi prince during the Gulf War. Their journey involves a mix of action, comedy, and drama, set against the backdrop of the war.

## Why It Matters
*Three Kings* is significant as a cultural artifact of the 1990s, blending action, comedy, and drama to depict the Gulf War from an American perspective. Its release coincided with heightened global interest in the war, offering a unique narrative that combined humor with the seriousness of military conflict. The film’s success contributed to the growing trend of war films that explored the human side of conflict, providing a counterpoint to more traditional war narratives. Additionally, *Three Kings* showcased the talents of its lead actors, particularly George Clooney, who delivered a standout performance as a disillusioned soldier. Its blend of genres and themes made it a standout in the action-comedy-drama genre, influencing later films that sought to balance humor with serious subject matter. The film’s box office performance and critical acclaim further cemented its place in cinematic history, reflecting the cultural and political climate of its time.

## Notable For
- **Genre Blending**: *Three Kings* uniquely combines heist film, comedy drama, war film, and action film, creating a distinct narrative style.
- **Critical Acclaim**: Achieved a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes, 7.8/10 on IMDb, and 82/100 on Metacritic, indicating strong critical reception.
- **Box Office Success**: Grossed $110 million worldwide, demonstrating commercial appeal.
- **Award Recognition**: Named one of the Top Ten Films by the National Board of Review, highlighting its cultural impact.
- **Cultural Context**: Released during the Gulf War, offering a nuanced portrayal of the conflict from an American perspective.
- **Lead Performances**: Featured standout performances by George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube, elevating the film’s status.
- **Production Credits**: Directed by David O. Russell and produced by Village Roadshow Pictures and Paul Junger Witt, reflecting its commercial and creative origins.

## Body
### Core Definition and Classification
*Three Kings* is a 1999 film directed by David O. Russell, produced by Village Roadshow Pictures and Paul Junger Witt, and set in the Gulf War. It is classified as a heist film, comedy drama, war film, and action film, with a runtime of 110 minutes. The film follows three American soldiers—played by George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube—who rescue a Saudi prince during the war, blending action, drama, and comedy. It has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%, an IMDb rating of 7.8/10, and a Metacritic score of 82/100, indicating strong critical reception. The film was also recognized by the National Board of Review as one of the Top Ten Films of 1999, further cementing its cultural significance.

### Production and Release
*Three Kings* was produced by Village Roadshow Pictures and Paul Junger Witt, with a release date of January 1, 1999, and a wide release on February 10, 2000. The film was filmed in the United States, primarily in California and Texas, reflecting its commercial and creative origins. It has a runtime of 110 minutes, balancing its action-packed plot with comedic and dramatic elements. The film’s box office performance was strong, grossing $110 million worldwide, demonstrating its commercial appeal.

### Awards and Recognition
*Three Kings* received critical acclaim, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%, an IMDb rating of 7.8/10, and a Metacritic score of 82/100. It was also named one of the Top Ten Films by the National Board of Review, highlighting its cultural impact. These awards and recognition reflect the film’s strong critical reception and its place in cinematic history.

### Genre and Themes
*Three Kings* uniquely combines heist film, comedy drama, war film, and action film, creating a distinct narrative style. Its blend of genres reflects its narrative of American soldiers rescuing a Saudi prince during the Gulf War, combining action, humor, and drama. The film’s themes of disillusionment, friendship, and the human side of war resonated with audiences, contributing to its cultural significance.

### Cultural Context
*Three Kings* was released during the Gulf War, offering a nuanced portrayal of the conflict from an American perspective. Its blend of humor and seriousness provided a counterpoint to more traditional war narratives, reflecting the cultural and political climate of its time. The film’s success contributed to the growing trend of war films that explored the human side of conflict, influencing later films that sought to balance humor with serious subject matter.

### Lead Performances
*Three Kings* featured standout performances by George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube. Clooney’s portrayal of a disillusioned soldier was particularly notable, elevating the film’s status. The chemistry between the lead actors added depth to the narrative, enhancing the film’s emotional and comedic elements. Their performances contributed to the film’s critical acclaim and cultural impact.

### Influence and Legacy
*Three Kings* has had a lasting influence on the action-comedy-drama genre, inspiring later films that sought to balance humor with serious subject matter. Its blend of genres and themes made it a standout in its time, reflecting the cultural and political climate of the 1990s. The film’s success and critical acclaim further cemented its place in cinematic history, making it a notable example of its genre.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. The Movie Database
3. Three Kings. Rotten Tomatoes
4. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120188/releaseinfo)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Kinopoisk
7. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/three-kings/)
8. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/three-kings-sbs-versie/)
9. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
10. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
11. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/98791)
12. Online-Filmdatenbank
13. mymovies.it
14. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/5316-7F1D-40CB-9CAF-81DE-2)
15. Danish Film Database
16. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/90680)
17. TheTVDB
18. Trakt.tv
19. FilmVandaag.nl