As allied POWs prepare for a soccer game against the German National Team to be played in Nazi-occupied Paris, the French Resistance and British officers are making plans for the team's escape.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Capt. John Colby - The Players: England
...
Cpl. Luis Fernandez - Allied Soccer Player - The Players: Brazil
Bobby Moore ...
Terry Brady - Allied Soccer Player - The Players: England
Osvaldo Ardiles ...
Carlos Rey - Allied Soccer Player - The Players: Argentina
Paul Van Himst ...
Michel Fileu - The Players: Belgium
Kazimierz Deyna ...
Paul Wolchek - The Players: Poland
Hallvar Thoresen ...
Gunnar Hilsson - The Players: Norway
Mike Summerbee ...
Sid Harmor - Allied Soccer Player - The Players: England
Co Prins ...
Pieter Van Beck - The Players: Holland
Russell Osman ...
Doug Clure - The Players: England
John Wark ...
Arthur Hayes - The Players: Scotland
Søren Lindsted ...
Erik Ball - Allied Soccer Player - The Players: Denmark (as Soren Linsted)
Kevin O'Callaghan ...
Tony Lewis - Allied Goalkeeper - The Players: Ireland (as Kevin O'Calloghan)
...
Major Karl Von Steiner - The Germans (as Max Von Sydow)
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Storyline

In World War II, a group of Nazi officers come up with a propaganda event in which an all star Nazi team will play a team composed of Allied Prisoners of War in a Soccer (Football) game. The Prisoners agree, planning on using the game as a means of escape from the camp. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Now is the time for heroes. See more »

Genres:

Action | Drama | Sport | War

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

31 July 1981 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Escape to Victory  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

A three acre prison set was built in the grounds of the Allag Riding Stables on the outskirts of Budapest, Hungary. The POW set took three months to construct. See more »

Goofs

The vast majority of the extras in the soccer stadium have hairstyles and wear clothes associated with the late 1970s and early 1980s (long hair, flares and wide-collared shirts etc.). See more »

Quotes

Renée - The French: [Hatch has asked how she feels about sheltering him] How do I feel? I feel responsible. Hopeful. When I get word that someone I sheltered is safe, then I'm happy. I can forget them. But when I hear that they've been caught or killed, then I remember everything. I remember their face, their voices, what they said about their parents, their child, their pets, and I mourn for them. I don't want to mourn for you.
Hatch: Well, you're safe with me, Renée.
Renée - The French: How?
Hatch: Well, I'm, uh... an orphan, a bastard. I have no...
[...]
See more »

Connections

Referenced in ITV Sport: Euro 2016: Republic of Ireland vs France (2016) See more »

Soundtracks

Symphony 5, 4th movement
(uncredited)
Written by Dmitri Shostakovich
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Great movie
27 April 2005 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

This a great movie for any football fan. A great set of stars from the 70's, Pele and Stallone as a funny goalkeeper. This is one of my favorite soccer movies. The storyline is not the best, but it is catchy. Now the way the stadium was set up, the noise, it feel really real. I would love to see a similar movie remade. Maybe a victory 2 with todays's stars. Some people do not like the idea of sly as a football player, I disagree, I think he playing the "football-ignorant"american is good. Now I also think that the way the soccer players acted was very realistic. In special Pele was good. I know many friends in many countries outside the USA who just love this film.


39 of 46 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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