Main Cast: Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Claudia Cardinale, Richard Roundtree
Release Year: 1979
Country: UK
Run Time: 125 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
The original British version of Escape to Athena ran 125 minutes; American prints were judiciously cut to 101 minutes, emphasizing the action content and neutralizing the duller dialogue sequences. Roger Moore stars as Major Otto Hecht, an anti-Nazi German who presides over a World War II POW camp. The prisoners, played by such diverse types as Elliott Gould, David Niven, and Sonny Bono, plan an escape with a group of Greek partisans (headed by Telly Savalas). It's not that the POWs are dissatisfied with life behind barbed wire -- it's just that they've been coerced into rescuing valuable art treasures from the Nazis, and there's a possibility of turning a profit! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Escape to Athena is the kind of film destined to appeal mostly to war movie enthusiasts and cult movie fans (for its cast). The script is not terribly original in plotting or characterizations, and the lighthearted tone will throw off those who expect their war movies to be serious affairs. However, these points are moot because the film is designed to be old-fashioned, large-scale entertainment. Director George Cosmatos is well aware of this characteristic and puts his energy into packing the film with excitement, laughs, and plenty of visual sweep. Along the way, he delivers many exciting action sequences -- the best might be a battle between Nazis and the local rebel underground for a Greek village. Escape to Athena further benefits from a cast of familiar faces who keep the entertainment level high; Roger Moore has more than a bit of trouble with his Austrian accent, but he and David Niven supply some old-school charm, and Elliott Gould and Stefanie Powers make an engaging comedic team. The film's appeal is further aided by gorgeous widescreen photography by Gil Taylor and a lively, Greek-accented musical score by Lalo Schifrin. All in all, Escape to Athena is the rare war epic that can double as a fun popcorn movie. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
John Graysmark - Art Director, Yvonne Blake - Costume Designer, Derek Cracknell - First Assistant Director, George Pan Cosmatos - Director, Ralph Kemplen - Editor, Lalo Schifrin - Composer (Music Score), Michael Stringer - Production Designer, Gilbert Taylor - Cinematographer, Colin M. Brewer - Producer, David Niven, Jr. - Producer, Jack H. Wiener - Producer, Derek Ball - Sound/Sound Designer, George Pan Cosmatos - Screen Story, Richard S. Lochte - Screen Story, Edward Anhalt - Screenwriter, Richard S. Lochte - Screenwriter
Escape to Athena is a British adventure war film (with elements of comedy) released in 1979, directed by George Pan Cosmatos and produced by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment. The international cast included many well-known actors of the 1970s.
The film is set during the Second World War on a German-occupied Greek island. It is filmed on the island of Rhodes according to the credits at the end of the film. There is a small town on the island where the Greek resistance movement is strong. The presence of various Ottoman Turkish buildings, and structures and even a mosque with beautifully adorned minaret (where a German sniper was perched) is noteworthy.
On the same island there is a POW camp. The commandant of the camp is an antiques-loving Austrian, Major Otto Hecht (Roger Moore). The prisoners, living quite a comfortable life, are doing archaeological work and the commandant is sending valuable works of art to his sister living in Switzerland.
Meanwhile, the Greek resistance movement is preparing for the landing of the Allies. The overtaking of the camp is a part of this plan. Another task is to destroy the missile launching pad (located in a monastery).
The film features one of the most memorable motorcycle chase scenes in cinematic history.
Cast
Roger Moore as Major Otto Hecht – the commandant of the POW camp
Telly Savalas as Zeno – the head of the local resistance movement
David Niven as Professor Blake – an archaeologist, prisoner in the camp
Stefanie Powers as Dottie Del Mar – an American artist (in fact, stripper), who was shot down with Charlie and detained in the POW camp.
Elliott Gould as Charlie – a comedian, partner of Dottie.
William Holden, who was in a relationship with Stefanie Powers at the time of filming, makes a cameo in the film as a POW. Elliot Gould's character passes by Holden leaning against the POW barracks, looks at him and asks, "Are you still here?" This is in reference to Holden's Oscar-winning performance in Billy Wilder's WWII/POW film Stalag 17 as Sefton, who actually escapes at the end of that film.
