5.6/10
3,018
31 user 10 critic

Escape to Athena (1979)

A World War Two adventure involving a group of Allied POWs, Nazis, black market priceless art treasures, Greek resistance, a Greek monastery and a secret German rocket base.

Director:

Writers:

(screenplay), (screenplay) (as Richard S. Lochte) | 2 more credits »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
...
...
Nat Judson
...
...
Charlie / Charlie Dane
Anthony Valentine ...
SS Major Volkmann
Siegfried Rauch ...
Braun
...
Sergeant Mann
Richard Wren ...
Reistoffer
Philip Locke ...
Vogel
Steve Ubels ...
Lantz
...
Zeno's Man
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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. Written by Chris Makrozahopoulos <makzax@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

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


Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

6 June 1979 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Escape a Atenas  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Eastmancolor) (uncredited)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The action largely takes place in Stalag Luft VII Z, "somewhere in the Greek Islands 1944" (named in dialogue as Kariai); the monastery is found on Mount Athena. See more »

Goofs

During the Volkmann/Dane motorbike chase, the stunt rider's SS cap is blown off as the Major jumps over a local peasant. It is back on his head in the next shot. See more »

Crazy Credits

Opening credits: Somewhere in the Greek Islands 1944 See more »

Connections

Referenced in Hollywood and the Muslim World (2003) See more »

Soundtracks

Battler Hymn of the Republic
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Julia Ward Howe and music by William Steffe
Heard as a theme
See more »

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User Reviews

 
An amiable and silly warlike movie full of action, adventures and humor
11 May 2009 | by See all my reviews

This WWII movie takes place on somewhere in Greek islands during 1944 , a misfit prisoners group(a stoic David Niven,a two-fisted Richard Roundtree, among them) are scheming escape from the concentration camp and at the same time the robbing in an Ortodox monastery at the top of the island's mountain. At the bunch appear a distinguished David Niven(whose son David Niven Jr is producer), an Italian cook(Sonny Bono), a member of the Greek Resistance(Telly Savalas), a prostitute( beautiful Claudia Cardinale) and among Nazis are a former Viennese art merchant(likable Roger Moore) and a cruel Nazi(Anthony Valentine).The gentleman Nazi officer Moore is stuck with the outfit of goof-offs as they search for the Greek treasure.

Basically an amusing action filled /wartime/and comedy set during WWII. It's a crossover among the rogue soldiers from ¨The Kelly's heroes(Brian G Hutton)¨, the getaway from ¨The great escape(John Sturges)¨ and the humor included in ¨Hogan's heroes¨ taking parts here and there. This wartime picture which is short in realism instead we have far-fetched but moving blow up, shoot'em up, fighting , it should please most adventure-action-comedy buffs.Middling screenplay by the prestigious Edward Anhalt.Some characters aren't credible in 1944 setting , neither the Nais soldiers dressed in black when parade along with the secret German rocket installation.Roger Moore is miscast as an Nazi official and Elliott Gould as a hippie-alike sound embarrassing. Cameo by William Holden as prisoner smoking a cigar in prison camp and he appears uncredited. Luminous and shimmer photography by Gilbert Taylor. Stirring and military musical score by Lalo Schifrin. This improbable motion picture is professionally directed by George Pan Cosmatos. Although the movie has some aspects a little tough to take , this caper film still has its moments.This large-scale and lavishly produced pic attempts a bemusing atmosphere with regular results.


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