Escape to Athena (1979)

During World War II, the prisoners of a German camp on a Greek island are trying to escape. They don't want only their freedom, but they also seek for an ineffable treasure hidden in a ... See full summary »

Director:

George P. Cosmatos

Writers:

Edward Anhalt (screenplay), Richard Lochte (screenplay),

Stars:

Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Roger Moore	...	Major Otto Hecht
Telly Savalas	...	Zeno
David Niven	...	Professor Blake
Stefanie Powers	...	Dottie Del Mar
Claudia Cardinale	...	Eleana
Richard Roundtree	...	Nat Judson
Sonny Bono	...	Bruno Rotelli
Elliott Gould	...	Charlie Dane
Anthony Valentine	...	SS Major Volkmann
Siegfried Rauch	...	Braun
Michael Sheard	...	Sergeant Mann
Richard Wren	...	Reistoffer
Philip Locke	...	Vogel
Steve Ubels	...	Lantz
Paul Picerni	...	Zeno's Man

Storyline

During World War II, the prisoners of a German camp on a Greek island are trying to escape. They don't want only their freedom, but they also seek for an ineffable treasure hidden in a monastery at the top of the island's mountain.

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Plot Keywords:

treasure | monastery | mountain | island | athena | 

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Taglines:

The patriot, the professor, the comic and the stripper, were fighting for what they believed in. Getting rich!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | War

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 June 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Escape a Atenas

Filming Locations:

Greece

Company Credits

Production Co:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC), Pimlico Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor) (uncredited)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

William Holden:  As a cigar-smoking prisoner-of-war. Elliott Gould walks by Holden and asks him, "Are you still here?" This POW bit-scene was an in-joke reference to Holden's starring role in Stalag 17 twenty-five years earlier. Holden was in a relationship at the time with actress Stefanie Powers who was appearing in the movie.

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Goofs

Dottie faints after her underwater mission, yet is conscious enough to lift her hand to Hecht's help.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood and the Muslim World (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Keep Tomorrow For Me"
Composed by Barry Blue & Rod Temperton
Performed by Heatwave

User Reviews

Enjoyable Saturday Afternoon Classic!

'Escape To Athena' Is an enjoyable late seventies's Action War Comedy, That has an all Star Cast, The story is set somewhere in the Greek islands circa 1944, and center's around the efforts of local, Resistance fighter Zeno Telly Savalas) Who is aided by the ever gorgeous Claudia Cardinale,

Their plan is simple liberate the islands from the inhumane German occupation,And rightfully reclaim the Art treasure's of Athena before the Nasty Nazi's do!

Roger Moore, Is Major Otto Hecht, A Former shady antique's dealer come jazz lover, Elliout Gould, And Stephanie(Hart To Hart, Power's) Play a USO duo who provide's the film with some light hearted moments's

Sonny Bono, is a Italian chef, This guilty pleasure also star's The original 'Shaft' Richard Roundtree, And David Niven,

The film is chock full of Action which display's some stunt technique's then 'new' at the time such as ramp's to propel the stunt's person forward in an explosion,And hidden air Cushion's for some high fall's(which for some reason there's lot's!)

There is a great stunt motorcycle chase,with Elliott Gould which feature's some great Steadicam work, all in all a great film, now available on DVD in 2:35:1 widescreen