... (I may regret this)
Escape to Athena, a very good war film, actually released on the 6th of June (D day) but in 1974. The cast consists of :-
Anthony Valentine
Claudia Cardinale
David Niven
Elliott Gould
Roger Moore
Stefanie Powers
Telly Savalas
There are of course many other ... Read review
Hitler's plan to loot a treasure-laden island off Greece is underway. A prison camp is ... more
built where inmates dig up priceless art under the eye of the Austrian commandant Major Otto Hecht (Roger Moore).Zeno (Telly Savalas), the island's resistance leader...
A battle of action and wits in a World War II prison camp where the Fuhrer's scheme for ... more
looting a treasure-laden island off Greece is under way. Prisoners of war labour under the eye of the camp's Austrian Commandment Major Otto Hecht as they dig up ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Hitler's plan to loot a treasure-laden Greek island is under way. A prison camp is built ... more
where the inmates dig up priceless art under the eye of the Austrian commandant Major Otto Hecht (Roger Moore).Zeno (Telly Savalas), the island's resistance leader and Eleana (Claudia Cardinale) scheme to defeat the occupiers. Leading the group of freedom writers. They clash with the Nazis as they try the lives of condemned prisoners and the treasure hidden in the mountaintop monastery.
The Eagle Has Landed:A Nazi Strike Force plots to assassinate Winston Churchill while he ... more
is resting in a desolate Norfolk village. Colonel Radl masterminds the plot which, if successful, would change the outcome of the war. He enlists the help of Colonel Steiner and Liam Devlin. Disguised as Polish airmen, German paratroopers land in England to attempt the assassination. The Boys From Brazil:This terrifying thriller is based on Ira Levin's best seller in which Dr. Josef Mengele, alive and living in South America gathers a group of former Nazis to work on a mysterious project. Erza Lieberman begins to unravel the conspiracy and discovers that Mengele has cloned 94 young Hitlers. Suddenly the terrifying extent of Mengele's plan is revealed: twisting genetic science to become a new weapon of global horror.Escape To Athena:Hitler's plan to loot a treasure-laden Greek island is under way. A prison camp is built where inmates dig up priceless art under the eye of the Austrian commandant Major Otto Hecht. Zeno, the island's resistance leader and Eleana scheme to defeat the occupiers. Leading a group of freedom fighters, they clash with the Nazis as they try to save the lives of condemned prisoners and to save the treasure hidden in the mountaintop monastery.
Titles Comprise: The Boys From Brazil: This terrifying thriller is based on Ira Levin's ... more
best seller in which Dr. Josef Mengele (Gregory Peck) alive and living in South America gathers a group of former Nazis to work on a mysterious project. Ezra Lieberman (Laurence Olivier) begins to unravel the conspiracy and discovers that Mengele has cloned 94 young Hitlers. Suddenly the terrifying extent of Mengele's plan is revealed: twisting genetic science to become a new weapon of global horror. The Eagle Has Landed: The daring World War II plot that changed the course of history. In November 1943 Heinrich Himmler (Donald Pleasance) received a simple message "The Eagle Has Landed." It meant that a crack force of German paratroopers were safely in England poised and ready to kidnap the Prime Minister of England Winston Churchill. The force is under the command of Colonel Kurt Steiner (Michael Caine). All goes smoothly as the German force disguised in Polish uniforms is accepted by the villagers. But one of the men is killed while rescuing a little girl and his German uniform is discovered. The entire village has to be taken hostage and hidden in the town church. Agents and counteragents work desperately to keep the scheme alive. Steiner himself takes a dangerous gamble. He overpowers an American ranger commandeers his jeep and uniform and drives to the mansion where Churchill is relaxing. The action and suspense are nonstop in this World War II thriller which also stars Treat Williams Larry Hagman Anthony Quayle and Jean Marsh. Escape To Athena: A battle of action and wits in a World War II prison camp where the Fuhrer's scheme for looting a treasure-laden island off Greece is under way. Prisoners of war labour under the eye of the camp's Austrian Commandment Major Otto Hecht as they dig up priceless Greek art. Zeno the island's resistance leader and his woman Eleana scheme to defeat the occupiers. Zeno and his men clash with the Germans to save the lives of condemned prisoners and try to locate a submarine oil supply depot. If the Germans are to be defeated they must also seek and dismantle the communications equipment on Mount Athens which promises a blaze of action...
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Production Year: 1970 - War - Director: Brian G. Hutton - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Carroll O'Connor, Donald Sutherland, Don Rickles, Gavin MacLeod
Advantages: Escapism, cheap, not to be taken too seriously. Disadvantages: Slightly dated, not that believable.
...regret this)
Escape to Athena, a very good war film, actually released on the 6th of June (D day) but in 1974. The cast consists of :-
Anthony Valentine
Claudia Cardinale
David Niven
Elliott Gould
Roger Moore
Stefanie Powers
Telly Savalas
There are of course many other actors in this film, plus the obligatory extras without whom productions like this would not ... ...rating, which was probably right for the sevebties, but of course times move on, and I tend to think there is nothing in this movie, that would concern a parent.
All the filming was carried out in Greece, (island of Rhodes actually) which is the actual location the film is supposed to be in, unlike the "spaghetti western" type films The Director:was George Pan Cosmatos, not that I have heard of him, and the special edition ... more
In this review, the plot will not be given away, you may read every word without fear of it being spoilt. (I may regret this)
Escape to Athena, a very good war film, actually released on the 6th of June (D day) but in 1974. The cast consists of :-
Anthony Valentine Claudia Cardinale David Niven Elliott Gould Roger Moore Stefanie Powers Telly Savalas
There are of course many other actors in this film, plus the obligatory extras without whom productions like this would not be possible.
The film carries a PG rating, which was probably right for the sevebties, but of course times move on, and I tend to think there is nothing in this movie, that would concern a parent.
All the filming was carried out in Greece, (island of Rhodes actually) which is the actual location the film is supposed to be in, unlike the "spaghetti western" type films The Director:was George Pan Cosmatos, not that I have heard of him, and the special edition is in wide screen format. The Producer is Lew Grade (I have heard of him)
As stated, this is a war film, so may not be to everyones taste, it is set in World Was 2 on a Greek island. Allied prisoners of war have been incarcerated in this pretty idylic setting, where the regime is very relaxed, and the Commandant (I think that is his rank) is none other than Roger Moore!
Nearby, the Nazis have stashed a warehouse full of priceless antiques and treasure, in an old Monastery, which is also a military target, I will not explain what because I do not intend giving away the plot.
Some of the inmates, have ideas, grand ones at that, and this leads to the action scenes in the film, some of which are very good indeed. This DVD is available for less than a tenner on the likes of Amazin, and you will probably find it a lot cheaper elsewhere.
I will make a point of mentioning Anthony Valentine, because of his wonderful portrayal of a German officer, he just drops into this role like it was made for him. Roger Moore plays a similar role, but somehow he just does not look plausable, perhaps I still see him as Simon Templar, aka the Saint. Stephanie Powers plays her part very well, and this is in spite of the fact that her character is a little out of place, with no credibility.
All in all, I must say the film was very good at the time, and for some, it may be enjoyed if seeing it for the first time. I must admit though, it is very dated, and some of the plotlines are just a bit too difficult to believe.
I do recommend it, but then I also recommend the likes of "Kelly's Heroes" and "Von Ryan's express" so if you hate this sort of film, you obviously won't want to see this one.
This was my first review of a DVD, and I did fine it difficult not to give away the story or the ending, please feel free to offer any advice or critique you may have. Thank you. .
Advantages: Stellar Cast.... Disadvantages: ... But on the whole they disappoint
...to help their escape. The escape is made somewhat more lucrative by the potential of hidden treasures being unearthed and stollen to make profit. Despite the cast, the film lacks spark. Roger Moore is on occasion unconvincing as the German general and is equip with faltering accent and eyebrow raises. Niven almost phones his performance in and Gould is irritating beyond believe as the joke a minute stand up comic. These disappointments aside, it ... ...performance as does Richard Roundtree fresh from Shaft exploits. Special mention must also go to one of the most curious, brief and pointless cameo appearances by William Holden - blink and you'll miss it! To summarise the story on the whole just lacks a bit of punch as do the cast. ...
Nixu1980 16.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Escape To Athena (DVD)
A group of prisoners held in a World War 2 POW camp are forced to locate art treasures for the Nazis. They plot an escape to Athena with the loot.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
ITV DVD; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date
14/06/2004
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
37115 06183
Barcode
5037115061836
Composer
Lalo Schifrin
Languages
Main Language
English
Hearing Impaired Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Theatrical Trailer, Location Report, Cast And Crew Interviews
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Wide Screen
Sound
Mono
Dubbing Sound
Mono English
DVD Description
On a Greek island during World War II, a diverse group of POWs come up with a plan to escape from their Nazi captors--and retrieve valuable stolen art at the same time. Although an unlikely ally comes to the aid of the prisoners, there is no guarantee that they will succeed in their missions. Will the schemers pull off the impossible
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