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

Sir Roger Moore vocally plays against type, and has a German accent in this movie.

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Goofs

Archaeological prison camp STALAG VII Z is introduced with a swooping aerial photography shot circling the entire complex, to end on a Red Cross ambulance arriving at the main gate. However, partway through this sequence as the large circular building comes into view, the ambulance can be seen parked on the road awaiting its cue.

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Quotes

Zeno: Our mission is to take the village... and the refuelling depot, so that German submarines cannot function against the Allied invasion fleet. After that, I don't care what you do. Except - and listen very carefully, GENTLEMEN - the treasures of Athena are the property of the Greek people!

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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

References Stalag 17 (1953)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

an underrated, underdog of a movie

This movie was blasted by the critics but who cares? It's not exactly a comedy, not a drama, but it does have a lot of action and adventure plus an all-star cast that all play wonderfully off one another, notably Elliott Gould and Stephanie Powers, who always have great comic timing anyway, but here they're a delight together, especially in the "stripping" scene on stage. It's got some good chases and gorgeous scenery of the island of Rhodes. Give it a whirl!

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

German Greek 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