Escape to Athena (1979)

A World War II adventure, involving a group of Allied P.O.W.s, Nazis, black market priceless art treasures, Greek resistance, a Greek monastery, and a secret German rocket base.

Director:

George P. Cosmatos

Writers:

Edward Anhalt (screenplay), Richard S. 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 an ineffable treasure hidden in a monastery at the top of the island's mountain.

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Plot Keywords:

1940s | reference to athena the greek deity | tough guy | battle | shootout | 

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Taglines:

An exciting World War II prison camp drama with an all star cast.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | War

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

O.J. Simpson was offered the role of Judson.

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Goofs

A control room could not survive with an open window immediately behind a launching rocket.

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Quotes

Professor Blake: Oh, there's no such thing as country, major. There are only rivers, mountains, houses and people. "Country" is an abstraction.
Major Otto Hecht: You don't really believe that.
Professor Blake: No.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits: Somewhere in the Greek Islands 1944

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Alternate Versions

When originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure a 'A' rating. All cuts were waived in 1986 when the film was granted a 'PG' certificate for home video.

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Connections

Spoofs Stalag 17 (1953)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Why does everyone hate this film?

No one likes this film. Why not? It is a remarkably good film, with an excellent cast. Telly Savalas seems to be remarkably at home in this film; he is very natural. I also think that it is good to see David Niven in a different setting to his usual role as the English gentlemen. However, Roger Moore's German accent is appalling. The character of Charlie is also well imagined, and the motorcycling stunts are first class. There are some great one-liners: "I think your defection to the Allies must be taken as something of a mixed message." And did I mention the soundtrack from Heatwave (at the end of the film) ...

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 June 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Escape to Athena

Filming Locations:

Kalithea Spa, Rhodes, Greece

Company Credits

Production Co:

ITC Entertainment, Pimlico Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1