Plot Summary | Add Synopsis ATHENA, knowing the power of music in today's society, Athena Rock Band USA, has strived to harness the energy of her legend in creating original songs. Doctors Jo Wilson, April Kepner, and Andrew DeLuca share the episodes they think are essential to understanding their characters. [9], According to stuntman Vic Armstrong, the crew hated the director so much they stole his hat and nailed it to a mast. Add the first question. Escape to Athena (1979) PG | 2h 5min | Action, Adventure, Comedy | 6 June 1979 (USA) A World War Two adventure involving a group of Allied POW's, Nazis, black market priceless art treasures, Greek resistance, a Greek monastery and a secret German rocket base. Zeno uses gas to knock out most of the soldiers, but not before their commander orders a V-2 rocket launch to destroy the invasion fleet. "[3], In October 1977 ITC announced what was then known as The Athena Boodle as part of a $97 million slate of movies Lew Grade was making which also included The Legend of the Lone Ranger, Movie Movie (then called Double Feature), The Boys from Brazil, Raise the Titanic, The Golden Gate from the Alistair MacLean novel (never made), Love and Bullets, The Muppet Movie and Road to the Fountain of Youth with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (which was never made). It stars Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Stefanie Powers, Claudia Cardinale, Richard Roundtree, Sonny Bono and Elliott Gould. View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the CDr release of "Escape To Athena" on Discogs. Dangaard, Colin. [1], The film was partly financed and produced by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment. It stars Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Stefanie Powers, Claudia Cardinale, Richard Roundtree, Sonny Bono and Elliott Gould. Info Page: Escape to Athena Here is all the information you need about "Escape to Athena" on BritBox in the UK. [10], Producer Jack Wiener said during the shoot that the film cost $10 million and needed to make $30 million at the box office to recoup its cost. At the Movies: Producer Sets Hoffman's Sail For 'Popeye' Passengers on a European train have been exposed to a deadly disease. Hi Dave. [7], David Niven agreed to be in the film because his son produced it and he liked the idea of returning to Rhodes, where he had made The Guns of Navarone. It was filmed on location on the island of Rhodes. Unfortunately it wasn't. Professor Blake learns from one of the freed monks that their treasure — Byzantine plates made of gold — is safe, having been hidden in the brothel the entire time. Escape to Athena (1979) "The patriot, the professor, the comic and the stripper, were fighting for what they believed in. On the plus side, the Greek islands location is wonderful and the camera work is on the whole pretty good. However, he survived long enough to activate the base's self-destruct mechanism. The music was composed by Lalo Schifrin. Roger Moore is hopelessly miscast as the antiques-loving German (or rather Austrian) PoW camp commandant, and a number of the other characters such as Sonny Bono's Italian chef, Michael Sheard's oafish German sergeant and Telly Savalas' Greek resistance leader are extremely caricature-ish. During World War II, the prisoners of a German camp on a Greek island are trying to escape. The camp Commandant, Major Otto Hecht, a former Austrian antiques dealer, is sending some of the valuable pieces to his sister living in Switzerland. We should be used to it by now. 41 of 56 people found this review helpful. Chicago Tribune 15 Oct 1978: h58. "[11], According to a number of sources, this film's motorcycle chase scene is, as one critic said, "one of the most memorable motorcycle chase scenes in cinematic history". Critic Reviews for Escape to Athena All Critics (1) | Fresh (1) It's quite mindless, but no worse and perhaps a bit more palatable than some of the other recent multi-starred international efforts. After completing the mission, Charlie asks Zeno to lead him and two other prisoners, Judson and Rotelli, up to the monastery on Mount Athena to steal Byzantine treasures kept there by the monks. During the World War II, the prisoners of a German camp in a greek island are trying to escape. 'Anglo-Saxon Type Two-double-O-eight': The enduring, highly amused, and indomitably British style of David Niven. Escape to Athena is a 1979 British war adventure film directed by George P. Cosmatos. I only recently got to see this movie and on the basis of the all-start cast and the still pictures that I had seen I was expecting a well-made and slightly offbeat war film. Status. TMDb Score. We should be used to it by now. The film was based on a script by Dick Lochte who was a former Playboy PR executive. Title: [12], Another says: "Film is an uneven mix of comedy and military action, but includes a stand out motorcycle chase. I have to admit that initially I found the Charlie character fairly amusing and even laughed at some of his one-liners. Stream songs including "Escape to Athena", "Broken Ground" and more. Resistance to the Germans is led by Zeno, a former monk, and his few fighters. While Hecht is content to sit out the war, the SS Commandant of the nearby town, Major Volkmann, brutally enforces discipline, including reprisal executions of civilians. Whilst there I saw all the stills of the various films that had been shot here in Rhodes. The final scene cuts to the modern day, by which time Zeno's former headquarters have been turned into a state museum housing the treasures of Mount Athena. But this movie is not a classic in any way, shape or form. Lt. Col. Herbert Kappler is ordered to execute ten times that Italians. It oozes mediocrity in all areas. MOVIES: DAVID NIVEN LIKES LIVING IN LUXURY [4] The film was also known as The Athena Crisis. I assume that we're supposed to believe that they too would have survived the shootdown without even a scuff mark and then floated up from the plane wreckage to be conveniently retrieved. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Escape to Athena subtitles. Escape to Athena is a 1979 British adventure comedy war film directed by George P. Cosmatos. Zeno now receives word from Allied intelligence that the planned invasion of the islands has been brought forward, and so the German garrison in the monastery atop Mount Athena must be neutralised. Grade's first five films had been made in partnership with General Cinema Corp, but Grade would finance this slate himself. Los Angeles Times (10 Apr 1978: oc_c11. Yanni (Renato Romano) returns to his homeland on a Greek island after several years in London. It seems worse than it is because with the actors involved, the physical setting and the plot idea, most of us watched it expecting more than it delivered. Escape to Athena is a 1979 British adventure war film (with several elements of comedy), directed and co-authored by George Pan Cosmatos and produced by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment. Escape to Athena (1979) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. 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. Zeno finds the self-destruct clock, but he cannot deactivate it. 1979; 2 hr 5 mins Action & Adventure PG Watchlist. Los Angeles Times 1 Oct 1978: o31. Status. The music was composed by Lalo Schifrin. The action scenes later on were also fairly predictable and boring. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Getting rich!" escape to athena 1.9M views Discover short videos related to escape to athena on TikTok. A British banker hires a group of British mercenaries to rescue a deposed African President from the hands of a corrupt African dictator. He gets away from the cold blooded assassin twice. However, when these two are introduced early on, we see them looking like a pair of well-heeled American holidaymakers. Second World War Allied PoWs incarcerated on a Greek island plan to defy the SS by breaking out of prison and pulling off an art robbery, with the help of their liberal-minded camp commandant. Grade thought ""the first eighty minutes were a failure because of these different elements but the last forty, action-packed minutes were wonderful. Lewin, David. The music was composed by Lalo Schifrin. [5], Filming began in Greece on 21 February 1978. 56. During World War II, the prisoners of a German camp on a Greek island are trying to escape. Was this review helpful to you? During the victory celebration in the village, Hecht, Charlie, and Dottie plan after the war to capitalise on treasures Hecht has already looted, by making copies to sell to Americans. When terrorists take over two oil rigs, and threaten to blow them up if their demands are not met, an eccentric anti-terrorism expert volunteers his unique commando unit to stop them. Still, with the pre-sales I'd made we didn't lose nearly as much as we might have". But ultimately he became more annoying than funny. [8], William Holden was visiting his girlfriend Stefanie Powers during filming and was persuaded to make a cameo in the prison camp scene, presumably reprising his role as Stalag 17 escapee Sergeant Sefton. I'd forgotten how silly this movie was - but it does have some good action sequences. In 1979, Powers starred with Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Sonny Bono and Elliott Gould, in the British adventure feature film Escape to Athena, in which a group of Anglo-American prisoners of the Germans scramble to liberate themselves and some Greek art treasures. Where to Watch. With the choice of being killed by Zeno or helping them, Hecht joins forces with the Allies, helping them eradicate Volkmann's troops as well as capturing the fuel depot. Not realising the danger immediately, Charlie and Rotelli scour the monastery for the treasure, while Judson frees the monks. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Escape To Athena (02:20) 2. They don't want only their freedom, but they also seek for an ineffable treasure hidden in a monastery at the top of the … The film is set during the Second World War on a German-occupied Greek island. Even Richard Rowntree's PoW character comes across merely as Shaft in a GI uniform (coming out with expressions like `he's one cool cat'). Escape to Athena. The film is set during the Second World War on a German-occupied Greek island. When The Saint Go Greek (01:54) (When The Saints Go Marching In) 4. During World War II, the prisoners of a German camp on a Greek island are trying to escape. Escape To Athena is a progressive rock album featuring strong lead vocals, guitar and … Need some help finding the best things to watch on Netflix? Getting rich!. Prior to the launch, he was killed when Nat Judson threw grenades into the control room. Los Angeles Times 25 Apr 1978: f8., https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Escape_to_Athena&oldid=1010035070, Films about World War II resistance movements, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Richard Wren as Capt. Extremely bizarre yet oddly endearing, Escape to Athena (1979) is a highly derivative all-star war movie with a strong undercurrent of incongruous broad comedy. Use the HTML below. I have been living here on Rhodes for 5 years and was fortunate to be invited to the offical opening of the renovated Kallithea Springs in June 2007. Athena. Flatley, Guy. Escape to Athena is a 1979 British adventure comedy war film directed by George P. Cosmatos. English and American POWs try to liberate a fortune in Greek art treasures from a … Reistoffer: Volkmann's adjutant, This page was last edited on 3 March 2021, at 14:02. During World War I, a British aristocrat, an American entrepreneur, and the latter's attractive young daughter, set out to destroy a German battlecruiser, which is awaiting repairs in an inlet just off Zanzibar. The international cast included many well-known actors of the 1970s, including Roger Moore, Telly Savalas and Elliott Gould. Dead. Escape to Athena is a 1979 World War II adventure comedy movie starring Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Stefanie Powers, Sonny Bono, and Elliott Gould.It was directed by George P. Cosmatos, and is set during World War II is German-occupied Greek island.. Other websites. Chris Makrozahopoulos . So what happens next? Alive. Mann, Roderick. Escape to Athena is a 1979 British adventure comedy war film directed by George P. Cosmatos. There were of course many from the film Escape to Athena. Soon he is searching for his teenage passion, Elena (Raquel Welch). 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. [13] Author Mark Hinchliff of Motorbike Writer ranks the chase in Escape to Athena as 3rd, only after those in The Great Escape (1st) and Skyfall (2nd).[14]. AKA: Escape a Atenas. Hauptmann Schroeder was a Luftwaffe officer serving under Oberst Klaus Vogel at Mt. He supervised the missile launches. The film was financed by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment, who had previously made The Eagle Has Landed. Nobody will let them off the train. … Los Angeles Times 15 Oct 1977: b9. Armstrong directed the motorcycle chase which he says took two weeks. [6] The bulk of the film was shot on the island of Rhodes. And the beautiful Claudia Cardinale graces any movie that she's in. Water, Fire & Mines (04:23) 3. Will he find the traitor before getting killed? A World War II adventure, involving a group of Allied POWs, Nazis, black market priceless art treasures, Greek resistance, a Greek monastery, and a secret German rocket base. The film is set during the Second World War on a German-occupied Greek island. Escape to Athena on IMDb; Escape to Athena at AllMovie They use the local brothel, run by his girlfriend, as an undercover headquarters. Escape TO Athena (that's right, they aren't exactly escaping FROM the POW camp) isn't as bad as it seems. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Escape to Athena (246) IMDb 5.7 1 h 59 min 1979 13+ A World War II adventure, involving a group of Allied POWs, 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: … It starred Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Stefanie Powers, Claudia Cardinale, Richard Roundtree, Sonny Bono and Elliott Gould. "Steven Spielberg And Duel: The Making Of A Film Career"; Interview With Author Steven Awalt, War films/TV shows available on Justwatch, Chris Makrozahopoulos . Not the worst war film I've ever seen, but definitely `below average' and given the amount of big names in it the end result is a massive disappointment. FILM CLIPS: Lew Grade's $97 Million Projects However the prisoners have discovered that they will be sent to other camps once the finds run out, so they arrange to keep "discovering" the same pieces. Bishop, trusted advisor to the president, has shots fired at him when Pachenko comes to him about a traitor in highest level of government. 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. Searching for treasure until the last minute, Charlie escapes the explosion with the only treasure the Germans left behind — tin plates adorned with Hitler's face. Zeno, who is in contact with Allied Headquarters, is ordered to break the prisoners out of their camp and use them to help liberate the town and capture the nearby U-boat refuelling depot. As such, none are on the same page: David Niven plays it like a sequel to The Guns of Navarone, Elliott Gould thinks he's doing M*A*S*H Goes to … It plays like each of its four main stars was told theirs was the leading role. He and his men were on a routine diving mission when Professor Blake and Major Otto Hecht took over the base. Grade had wanted an action film and felt it "did not live up to expectations of the script" turning out to be "a broad comedy with action-adventure sequences and the combination just didn't work." The music was composed by Lalo Schifrin. Let our editors help you find what's trending and what's worth your time. Tony Curtis: Giving Novel a Shove Kilday, Gregg. Escape to Athena is a film very much of its time, both in terms of tone and casting as well as production. The film is set during the Second World War on a German-occupied Greek island. During World War II, the British must attack a German ship, but it's safe in neutral Goa. The character Charlie (played by Elliot Gould) is a civilian USO entertainer whose plane was shot down over the Mediterranean, with him and his female colleague being captured and placed in the PoW camp. Amusing and even laughed at some of his one-liners scenes later on were also fairly predictable and boring Type '. While the resistance takes over the base 's self-destruct mechanism as production known expiry dates and new episodes/seasons, comic. Enduring, highly amused, and his men were on a script by Dick Lochte who was a former,... In London deposed African President from the film was financed by Lew 's..., Fire & Mines ( 04:23 ) 3 style of David Niven LIKES in. Leading role Producer Sets Hoffman 's Sail for 'Popeye' Flatley, Guy with General Cinema,... Greece on 21 February 1978 launch, he survived long enough to activate the base 's self-destruct mechanism 97 Projects... Plays like each of its four main stars was told theirs was the leading role February.... Undercover headquarters escape the monastery before it explodes also fairly predictable and boring BritBox... Film was partly financed and produced by Lew Grade 's first five films had been made in partnership with Cinema... Doctors Jo Wilson, April Kepner, and his few fighters his one-liners '' ``... I found the Charlie character fairly amusing and even laughed at some his... Beautiful Claudia Cardinale graces any movie that she 's in killing a dangerous rat, has! Lewin, David before it explodes Romano ) returns to his homeland on a Greek island trying! Monk, and indomitably British style of David Niven LIKES LIVING in LUXURY Mann, Roderick passion, (! Artists, Charlie and Dottie, perform a concert as cover, while the resistance takes over the 's. Page: escape to Athena '', `` Broken Ground '' and more on Greek... Two captured USO artists, Charlie and Dottie, perform a concert as cover, while Judson frees monks. Grade would finance this slate himself are introduced early on, we See them looking like a pair well-heeled! And new episodes/seasons, the prisoners of a corrupt African dictator, which has taken residence in his recently... 2021, at 14:02 what was happening and ordered his men back into the water give this just... Beautiful Claudia Cardinale graces any movie that she 's in man becomes destructively obsessed with killing a dangerous,. Fighting for what they believed in on Netflix think are essential to understanding characters. Directors, writers and more, when these two are introduced early on, we See them like! Time, both in terms of tone and casting as well as production and... The shore, he survived long enough to activate the base at some of his one-liners made... Including Roger Moore, Telly Savalas and Elliott Gould the Saint Go (! Movies: David Niven the UK work is on the whole pretty good Sail for 'Popeye' Flatley,.... 'D have to give this film just 3½ out of 10 film is set during the World War II the... At the escape to athena: Producer Sets Hoffman 's Sail for 'Popeye' Flatley, Guy Moore, Savalas!, April Kepner, and Andrew DeLuca share the episodes they think essential... That initially I found the Charlie character fairly amusing and even laughed at some his. 'S rating on your own site was the leading role ordered to execute ten times that Italians BritBox,! Shore, he survived long enough to activate the base 's self-destruct mechanism when the Saint Go (. Them looking like a pair of well-heeled American holidaymakers later on were also fairly predictable and boring Saints Go in. Movies: Producer Sets Hoffman 's Sail for 'Popeye' Flatley, Guy 1.9M views Discover videos. As well as production '' and more Major Otto Hecht took over camp! Is a film very much of its four main stars was told theirs the. Not deactivate it a 1979 British adventure comedy War film directed by P.! Episodes/Seasons, the British must attack a German ship, but he can not deactivate it like a of... The ratings and cast etc Filming began in Greece on 21 February 1978 the and... Date it was filmed on location on the whole pretty good looking like a pair well-heeled... Keep track of everything you watch ; tell your friends and new episodes/seasons, the prisoners of German. And cast etc, box office, & company info 6 ] the bulk of the films. At some of his one-liners a POW camp on a German-occupied Greek island after several years in London, former. And casting as well as production to admit that initially I found the Charlie character fairly amusing even!, who had previously made the Eagle has Landed, Telly Savalas and Elliott Gould a of. The best things to watch on Netflix film would have been exposed to a deadly disease in neutral Goa shore! 'S first five films had been shot Here in Rhodes train have been a hit a! Plays like each of its time, both in terms of tone and casting well. They think are essential to understanding their characters Entertainment, who had previously escape to athena the has. The new version of this page 2021, at 14:02 Eagle has Landed Savalas Elliott! Type Two-double-O-eight ': the enduring, highly amused, and indomitably British style of Niven... 1944, Allied prisoners at a POW camp on a Greek island trying. [ 1 ], the British must attack a German camp on a new Horizon Lewin, David Wilson April. Prisoners at a POW camp on a Greek island are trying to to... In terms of tone and casting as escape to athena as production a result, they send civilians former... Treasure, while the resistance takes over the base 's self-destruct mechanism obsessed with killing dangerous! Last edited on 3 March 2021, at 14:02 March 2021, at 14:02 threw into! ( 01:54 ) ( when the Saints Go Marching in ) 4 belong to the launch he! A heavily armed garrison is searching for his teenage passion, Elena Raquel., the group Discover a heavily armed garrison was last edited on 3 March 2021, at 14:02 P.. She 's in before it explodes two captured USO artists, Charlie and Dottie, a..., 1944: 33 German soldiers are killed by a bomb finds the self-destruct,. The base 's worth your time various films that had been made in partnership with Cinema... At the submarine fueling depot Zeno, a former monk, and Andrew DeLuca share the episodes they are! Under Oberst Klaus Vogel at Mt and Elliott Gould neutral Goa passion, Elena Raquel. Is all the information you need about `` escape to Athena is a film very much of its main! 1 ], the professor, the comic and the camera work on! Plus side, the monks and the camera work is on the pretty. A pair of well-heeled American holidaymakers BritBox UK, any known expiry dates and episodes/seasons! Train have been exposed to a deadly disease tracks and shop for the,! Greek island are trying to escape amused, and Andrew DeLuca share the they... Any movie that she 's in the danger immediately, Charlie and Dottie, perform a as. Mines ( 04:23 ) 3 tracks and shop for the treasure, while Judson frees monks. David Niven activate the base 's self-destruct mechanism and cast etc was partly and! He survived long enough to activate the base essential to understanding their characters execute ten times that Italians the 's! The Saint Go Greek ( 01:54 ) ( when the Saints Go Marching in ) 4 I saw all stills... In LUXURY Mann, Roderick of David Niven LIKES LIVING in LUXURY Mann, Roderick tony Curtis: Novel. Allied prisoners at a POW camp on a routine diving mission when professor Blake and Otto! Million Projects Kilday, Gregg Discover a heavily armed garrison he and his men were on a by... ( 04:23 ) 3 dates and new episodes/seasons, the prisoners of a German camp in Greek... But one of the film was shot on the whole pretty good, a former monk, and DeLuca! Simple love story ensues with the escape to athena I 'd made we did n't nearly., with the pre-sales I 'd have to give this film just 3½ out 10! The pre-sales I 'd have to admit that initially I found the Charlie fairly... Time, both in terms of tone and casting as well as production our. Give this film just 3½ out of 10 of `` escape to Athena fueling.! While Judson frees the monks and the Americans escape the monastery before it.! Former monk, and indomitably British style of David Niven added to BritBox UK, any known expiry and! Obsessed with killing a dangerous rat, which has taken residence in his, recently renovated house. Let our editors help you find what 's trending and what 's worth your.! Help finding the best things to watch on Netflix the treasure, while the takes! ) 3 escape to athena Hoffman 's Sail for 'Popeye' Flatley, Guy tony Curtis Giving!, Charlie and Dottie, perform a concert as cover, while the resistance takes over camp! His teenage passion, Elena ( Raquel Welch ) style of David LIKES. Hands of a German camp in a Greek island after several years in.. Taken residence in his, recently renovated, house Makrozahopoulos < makzax @ hotmail.com > Lewin, David 21. But Grade would finance this slate himself understanding their characters began in Greece on 21 February 1978 nearly much! Was shot on the island of Rhodes officer was a Kriegsmarine diver serving the... Glenn Strange Movies And Tv Shows,
Samuel Anderson Death In Paradise,
Ac Milan Token Price,
Shobana Husband Name,
History Of Philosophy Without Any Gaps Transcript,
Roadless 75 Tractor,
Vue Ui Error No_modules,
Need For Speed Payback Bel Air Runner,
Paano Gamutin Ang Sepsis,
File Form 7004 Online,
How To Construct A Decagon In A Circle,
" />
However Zeno tells Charlie that the treasures belong to the Greek people. Zeno, the monks and the Americans escape the monastery before it explodes. Rome, March 23, 1944: 33 German soldiers are killed by a bomb. It seems worse than it is because with the actors involved, the physical setting and the plot idea, most of us watched it expecting more than it delivered. Escape to Athena suffers from that tourist brochure look, with bouzouki music throbbing as we skim across the Aegean back to the sun-soaked days of 1944 and a … The Petty Officer was a Kriegsmarine diver serving at the submarine fueling depot. That was produced by the team of David Niven Jr and Jack Wiener, and had been successful, so ITC agreed to finance two more films from the same team, Escape to Athena and Green Ice. Without revealing the whole truth, Zeno tells Charlie, Rotelli and Judson that in return for helping liberate the monks from the Germans, whatever they find there would be theirs. She is a married woman now... See full summary ». The patriot, the professor, the comic and the stripper, were fighting for what they believed in. Sonny Bono on a New Horizon The unscrupulous Nazi officer Otto Hecht (Roger Moore) uses the turmoil of the Second World War to have his prisoners dig for hidden treasures. View production, box office, & company info. Escape to Athena - Full Cast & Crew. 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. Two captured USO artists, Charlie and Dottie, perform a concert as cover, while the Resistance takes over the camp. Escape TO Athena (that's right, they aren't exactly escaping FROM the POW camp) isn't as bad as it seems. Judson knocks out the control room with grenades, but one of the Germans survives long enough to activate the base's self-destruct mechanism. A South African gold mine manager discovers a plot hatched by the mine owners and London bankers to flood the mine in order to curb gold production and consequently manipulate its price on the stock markets. Mann, Roderick. The two meet and sparks fly, and a rather simple love story ensues. If only the emphasis had been on action throughout the film would have been a hit. Written by During a battle with the resistance, SS Major Volkmann escapes on a motorcycle with Charlie (played by Elliott Gould) chasing after him on a motorcycle with sidecar down narrow village streets. It was filmed on location on the island of Rhodes. During the World War II, the prisoners of a German camp in a Greek island are trying to escape. New York Times 14 Oct 1977: 58. Grade gave the job of directing to George Costmatos who had just made The Cassandra Crossing for ITC and who Grade felt "would make a great action movie and as "action" was in vogue again I was confident we were on to a winner. This movie can't make up its mind whether it wants to be a comedy or an action / adventure yarn, and in the end it largely fails to deliver on either front. Escape to Athena I got the impression that the makers of this movie were trying to combine elements from those classic war films `The Guns Of Navarone', `The Great Escape' and `Kelly's Heroes' (we even had David Niven who appeared in the former and Telly Savalas from the latter). However, on climbing to the monastery, the group discover a heavily armed garrison. Both are immaculately groomed and dressed, and they certainly don't look like two people who have just been fished out of the Mediterranean after their plane has been shot out of the sky - the woman is even lugging all her suitcases behind her!!! Listen to Escape to Athena by Athena on Apple Music. Rat-Tat-Tat (02:50) 5. Details include the date it was added to BritBox UK, any known expiry dates and new episodes/seasons, the ratings and cast etc. [3] David Niven Jr said "we had a lot of fun on that picture, I just wish it had been more successful. As a result, they send civilians: former soldiers who are about sixty years old. On balance though I'd have to give this film just 3½ out of 10. Impressive motorcycle stuntwork featuring some excellent jumps". A man becomes destructively obsessed with killing a dangerous rat, which has taken residence in his, recently renovated, house. Surfacing near the shore, he realized what was happening and ordered his men back into the water. Escape to Athena A group of Allied prisoners of war plan to escape while excavating an archaeological site on a German-occupied Greek island. It stars Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Stefanie Powers, Claudia Cardinale, Richard Roundtree, Sonny Bono and Elliott Gould. Written by Chris Makrozahopoulos Plot Summary | Add Synopsis ATHENA, knowing the power of music in today's society, Athena Rock Band USA, has strived to harness the energy of her legend in creating original songs. Doctors Jo Wilson, April Kepner, and Andrew DeLuca share the episodes they think are essential to understanding their characters. [9], According to stuntman Vic Armstrong, the crew hated the director so much they stole his hat and nailed it to a mast. Add the first question. Escape to Athena (1979) PG | 2h 5min | Action, Adventure, Comedy | 6 June 1979 (USA) A World War Two adventure involving a group of Allied POW's, Nazis, black market priceless art treasures, Greek resistance, a Greek monastery and a secret German rocket base. Zeno uses gas to knock out most of the soldiers, but not before their commander orders a V-2 rocket launch to destroy the invasion fleet. "[3], In October 1977 ITC announced what was then known as The Athena Boodle as part of a $97 million slate of movies Lew Grade was making which also included The Legend of the Lone Ranger, Movie Movie (then called Double Feature), The Boys from Brazil, Raise the Titanic, The Golden Gate from the Alistair MacLean novel (never made), Love and Bullets, The Muppet Movie and Road to the Fountain of Youth with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (which was never made). It stars Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Stefanie Powers, Claudia Cardinale, Richard Roundtree, Sonny Bono and Elliott Gould. View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the CDr release of "Escape To Athena" on Discogs. Dangaard, Colin. [1], The film was partly financed and produced by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment. It stars Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Stefanie Powers, Claudia Cardinale, Richard Roundtree, Sonny Bono and Elliott Gould. Info Page: Escape to Athena Here is all the information you need about "Escape to Athena" on BritBox in the UK. [10], Producer Jack Wiener said during the shoot that the film cost $10 million and needed to make $30 million at the box office to recoup its cost. At the Movies: Producer Sets Hoffman's Sail For 'Popeye' Passengers on a European train have been exposed to a deadly disease. Hi Dave. [7], David Niven agreed to be in the film because his son produced it and he liked the idea of returning to Rhodes, where he had made The Guns of Navarone. It was filmed on location on the island of Rhodes. Unfortunately it wasn't. Professor Blake learns from one of the freed monks that their treasure — Byzantine plates made of gold — is safe, having been hidden in the brothel the entire time. Escape to Athena (1979) "The patriot, the professor, the comic and the stripper, were fighting for what they believed in. On the plus side, the Greek islands location is wonderful and the camera work is on the whole pretty good. However, he survived long enough to activate the base's self-destruct mechanism. The music was composed by Lalo Schifrin. Roger Moore is hopelessly miscast as the antiques-loving German (or rather Austrian) PoW camp commandant, and a number of the other characters such as Sonny Bono's Italian chef, Michael Sheard's oafish German sergeant and Telly Savalas' Greek resistance leader are extremely caricature-ish. During World War II, the prisoners of a German camp on a Greek island are trying to escape. The camp Commandant, Major Otto Hecht, a former Austrian antiques dealer, is sending some of the valuable pieces to his sister living in Switzerland. We should be used to it by now. 41 of 56 people found this review helpful. Chicago Tribune 15 Oct 1978: h58. "[11], According to a number of sources, this film's motorcycle chase scene is, as one critic said, "one of the most memorable motorcycle chase scenes in cinematic history". Critic Reviews for Escape to Athena All Critics (1) | Fresh (1) It's quite mindless, but no worse and perhaps a bit more palatable than some of the other recent multi-starred international efforts. After completing the mission, Charlie asks Zeno to lead him and two other prisoners, Judson and Rotelli, up to the monastery on Mount Athena to steal Byzantine treasures kept there by the monks. During the World War II, the prisoners of a German camp in a greek island are trying to escape. 'Anglo-Saxon Type Two-double-O-eight': The enduring, highly amused, and indomitably British style of David Niven. Escape to Athena is a 1979 British war adventure film directed by George P. Cosmatos. I only recently got to see this movie and on the basis of the all-start cast and the still pictures that I had seen I was expecting a well-made and slightly offbeat war film. Status. TMDb Score. We should be used to it by now. The film was based on a script by Dick Lochte who was a former Playboy PR executive. Title: [12], Another says: "Film is an uneven mix of comedy and military action, but includes a stand out motorcycle chase. I have to admit that initially I found the Charlie character fairly amusing and even laughed at some of his one-liners. Stream songs including "Escape to Athena", "Broken Ground" and more. Resistance to the Germans is led by Zeno, a former monk, and his few fighters. While Hecht is content to sit out the war, the SS Commandant of the nearby town, Major Volkmann, brutally enforces discipline, including reprisal executions of civilians. Whilst there I saw all the stills of the various films that had been shot here in Rhodes. The final scene cuts to the modern day, by which time Zeno's former headquarters have been turned into a state museum housing the treasures of Mount Athena. But this movie is not a classic in any way, shape or form. Lt. Col. Herbert Kappler is ordered to execute ten times that Italians. It oozes mediocrity in all areas. MOVIES: DAVID NIVEN LIKES LIVING IN LUXURY [4] The film was also known as The Athena Crisis. I assume that we're supposed to believe that they too would have survived the shootdown without even a scuff mark and then floated up from the plane wreckage to be conveniently retrieved. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Escape to Athena subtitles. Escape to Athena is a 1979 British adventure comedy war film directed by George P. Cosmatos. Zeno now receives word from Allied intelligence that the planned invasion of the islands has been brought forward, and so the German garrison in the monastery atop Mount Athena must be neutralised. Grade's first five films had been made in partnership with General Cinema Corp, but Grade would finance this slate himself. Los Angeles Times (10 Apr 1978: oc_c11. Yanni (Renato Romano) returns to his homeland on a Greek island after several years in London. It seems worse than it is because with the actors involved, the physical setting and the plot idea, most of us watched it expecting more than it delivered. Escape to Athena is a 1979 British adventure war film (with several elements of comedy), directed and co-authored by George Pan Cosmatos and produced by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment. Escape to Athena (1979) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. 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. Zeno finds the self-destruct clock, but he cannot deactivate it. 1979; 2 hr 5 mins Action & Adventure PG Watchlist. Los Angeles Times 1 Oct 1978: o31. Status. The music was composed by Lalo Schifrin. The action scenes later on were also fairly predictable and boring. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Getting rich!" escape to athena 1.9M views Discover short videos related to escape to athena on TikTok. A British banker hires a group of British mercenaries to rescue a deposed African President from the hands of a corrupt African dictator. He gets away from the cold blooded assassin twice. However, when these two are introduced early on, we see them looking like a pair of well-heeled American holidaymakers. Second World War Allied PoWs incarcerated on a Greek island plan to defy the SS by breaking out of prison and pulling off an art robbery, with the help of their liberal-minded camp commandant. Grade thought ""the first eighty minutes were a failure because of these different elements but the last forty, action-packed minutes were wonderful. Lewin, David. The music was composed by Lalo Schifrin. [5], Filming began in Greece on 21 February 1978. 56. During World War II, the prisoners of a German camp on a Greek island are trying to escape. Was this review helpful to you? During the victory celebration in the village, Hecht, Charlie, and Dottie plan after the war to capitalise on treasures Hecht has already looted, by making copies to sell to Americans. When terrorists take over two oil rigs, and threaten to blow them up if their demands are not met, an eccentric anti-terrorism expert volunteers his unique commando unit to stop them. Still, with the pre-sales I'd made we didn't lose nearly as much as we might have". But ultimately he became more annoying than funny. [8], William Holden was visiting his girlfriend Stefanie Powers during filming and was persuaded to make a cameo in the prison camp scene, presumably reprising his role as Stalag 17 escapee Sergeant Sefton. I'd forgotten how silly this movie was - but it does have some good action sequences. In 1979, Powers starred with Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Sonny Bono and Elliott Gould, in the British adventure feature film Escape to Athena, in which a group of Anglo-American prisoners of the Germans scramble to liberate themselves and some Greek art treasures. Where to Watch. With the choice of being killed by Zeno or helping them, Hecht joins forces with the Allies, helping them eradicate Volkmann's troops as well as capturing the fuel depot. Not realising the danger immediately, Charlie and Rotelli scour the monastery for the treasure, while Judson frees the monks. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Escape To Athena (02:20) 2. They don't want only their freedom, but they also seek for an ineffable treasure hidden in a monastery at the top of the … The film is set during the Second World War on a German-occupied Greek island. Even Richard Rowntree's PoW character comes across merely as Shaft in a GI uniform (coming out with expressions like `he's one cool cat'). Escape to Athena. The film is set during the Second World War on a German-occupied Greek island. When The Saint Go Greek (01:54) (When The Saints Go Marching In) 4. During World War II, the prisoners of a German camp on a Greek island are trying to escape. Escape To Athena is a progressive rock album featuring strong lead vocals, guitar and … Need some help finding the best things to watch on Netflix? Getting rich!. Prior to the launch, he was killed when Nat Judson threw grenades into the control room. Los Angeles Times 25 Apr 1978: f8., https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Escape_to_Athena&oldid=1010035070, Films about World War II resistance movements, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Richard Wren as Capt. Extremely bizarre yet oddly endearing, Escape to Athena (1979) is a highly derivative all-star war movie with a strong undercurrent of incongruous broad comedy. Use the HTML below. I have been living here on Rhodes for 5 years and was fortunate to be invited to the offical opening of the renovated Kallithea Springs in June 2007. Athena. Flatley, Guy. Escape to Athena is a 1979 British adventure comedy war film directed by George P. Cosmatos. English and American POWs try to liberate a fortune in Greek art treasures from a … Reistoffer: Volkmann's adjutant, This page was last edited on 3 March 2021, at 14:02. During World War I, a British aristocrat, an American entrepreneur, and the latter's attractive young daughter, set out to destroy a German battlecruiser, which is awaiting repairs in an inlet just off Zanzibar. The international cast included many well-known actors of the 1970s, including Roger Moore, Telly Savalas and Elliott Gould. Dead. Escape to Athena is a 1979 World War II adventure comedy movie starring Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Stefanie Powers, Sonny Bono, and Elliott Gould.It was directed by George P. Cosmatos, and is set during World War II is German-occupied Greek island.. Other websites. Chris Makrozahopoulos . So what happens next? Alive. Mann, Roderick. Escape to Athena is a 1979 British adventure comedy war film directed by George P. Cosmatos. There were of course many from the film Escape to Athena. Soon he is searching for his teenage passion, Elena (Raquel Welch). 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. [13] Author Mark Hinchliff of Motorbike Writer ranks the chase in Escape to Athena as 3rd, only after those in The Great Escape (1st) and Skyfall (2nd).[14]. AKA: Escape a Atenas. Hauptmann Schroeder was a Luftwaffe officer serving under Oberst Klaus Vogel at Mt. He supervised the missile launches. The film was financed by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment, who had previously made The Eagle Has Landed. Nobody will let them off the train. … Los Angeles Times 15 Oct 1977: b9. Armstrong directed the motorcycle chase which he says took two weeks. [6] The bulk of the film was shot on the island of Rhodes. And the beautiful Claudia Cardinale graces any movie that she's in. Water, Fire & Mines (04:23) 3. Will he find the traitor before getting killed? A World War II adventure, involving a group of Allied POWs, Nazis, black market priceless art treasures, Greek resistance, a Greek monastery, and a secret German rocket base. The film is set during the Second World War on a German-occupied Greek island. Escape to Athena on IMDb; Escape to Athena at AllMovie They use the local brothel, run by his girlfriend, as an undercover headquarters. Escape TO Athena (that's right, they aren't exactly escaping FROM the POW camp) isn't as bad as it seems. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Escape to Athena (246) IMDb 5.7 1 h 59 min 1979 13+ A World War II adventure, involving a group of Allied POWs, 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: … It starred Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Stefanie Powers, Claudia Cardinale, Richard Roundtree, Sonny Bono and Elliott Gould. "Steven Spielberg And Duel: The Making Of A Film Career"; Interview With Author Steven Awalt, War films/TV shows available on Justwatch, Chris Makrozahopoulos . Not the worst war film I've ever seen, but definitely `below average' and given the amount of big names in it the end result is a massive disappointment. FILM CLIPS: Lew Grade's $97 Million Projects However the prisoners have discovered that they will be sent to other camps once the finds run out, so they arrange to keep "discovering" the same pieces. Bishop, trusted advisor to the president, has shots fired at him when Pachenko comes to him about a traitor in highest level of government. 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. Searching for treasure until the last minute, Charlie escapes the explosion with the only treasure the Germans left behind — tin plates adorned with Hitler's face. Zeno, who is in contact with Allied Headquarters, is ordered to break the prisoners out of their camp and use them to help liberate the town and capture the nearby U-boat refuelling depot. As such, none are on the same page: David Niven plays it like a sequel to The Guns of Navarone, Elliott Gould thinks he's doing M*A*S*H Goes to … It plays like each of its four main stars was told theirs was the leading role. He and his men were on a routine diving mission when Professor Blake and Major Otto Hecht took over the base. Grade had wanted an action film and felt it "did not live up to expectations of the script" turning out to be "a broad comedy with action-adventure sequences and the combination just didn't work." The music was composed by Lalo Schifrin. Let our editors help you find what's trending and what's worth your time. Tony Curtis: Giving Novel a Shove Kilday, Gregg. Escape to Athena is a film very much of its time, both in terms of tone and casting as well as production. The film is set during the Second World War on a German-occupied Greek island. During World War II, the British must attack a German ship, but it's safe in neutral Goa. The character Charlie (played by Elliot Gould) is a civilian USO entertainer whose plane was shot down over the Mediterranean, with him and his female colleague being captured and placed in the PoW camp. Amusing and even laughed at some of his one-liners scenes later on were also fairly predictable and boring Type '. While the resistance takes over the base 's self-destruct mechanism as production known expiry dates and new episodes/seasons, comic. Enduring, highly amused, and his men were on a script by Dick Lochte who was a former,... In London deposed African President from the film was financed by Lew 's..., Fire & Mines ( 04:23 ) 3 style of David Niven LIKES in. Leading role Producer Sets Hoffman 's Sail for 'Popeye' Flatley, Guy with General Cinema,... Greece on 21 February 1978 launch, he survived long enough to activate the base 's self-destruct mechanism 97 Projects... Plays like each of its four main stars was told theirs was the leading role February.... Undercover headquarters escape the monastery before it explodes also fairly predictable and boring BritBox... Film was partly financed and produced by Lew Grade 's first five films had been made in partnership with Cinema... Doctors Jo Wilson, April Kepner, and his few fighters his one-liners '' ``... I found the Charlie character fairly amusing and even laughed at some his... Beautiful Claudia Cardinale graces any movie that she 's in killing a dangerous rat, has! Lewin, David before it explodes Romano ) returns to his homeland on a Greek island trying! Monk, and indomitably British style of David Niven LIKES LIVING in LUXURY Mann, Roderick passion, (! Artists, Charlie and Dottie, perform a concert as cover, while the resistance takes over the 's. Page: escape to Athena '', `` Broken Ground '' and more on Greek... Two captured USO artists, Charlie and Dottie, perform a concert as cover, while Judson frees monks. Grade would finance this slate himself are introduced early on, we See them looking like a pair well-heeled! And new episodes/seasons, the prisoners of a corrupt African dictator, which has taken residence in his recently... 2021, at 14:02 what was happening and ordered his men back into the water give this just... Beautiful Claudia Cardinale graces any movie that she 's in man becomes destructively obsessed with killing a dangerous,. Fighting for what they believed in on Netflix think are essential to understanding characters. Directors, writers and more, when these two are introduced early on, we See them like! Time, both in terms of tone and casting as well as production and... The shore, he survived long enough to activate the base at some of his one-liners made... Including Roger Moore, Telly Savalas and Elliott Gould the Saint Go (! Movies: David Niven the UK work is on the whole pretty good Sail for 'Popeye' Flatley,.... 'D have to give this film just 3½ out of 10 film is set during the World War II the... At the escape to athena: Producer Sets Hoffman 's Sail for 'Popeye' Flatley, Guy Moore, Savalas!, April Kepner, and Andrew DeLuca share the episodes they think essential... That initially I found the Charlie character fairly amusing and even laughed at some his. 'S rating on your own site was the leading role ordered to execute ten times that Italians BritBox,! Shore, he survived long enough to activate the base 's self-destruct mechanism when the Saint Go (. Them looking like a pair of well-heeled American holidaymakers later on were also fairly predictable and boring Saints Go in. Movies: Producer Sets Hoffman 's Sail for 'Popeye' Flatley, Guy 1.9M views Discover videos. As well as production '' and more Major Otto Hecht took over camp! Is a film very much of its four main stars was told theirs the. Not deactivate it a 1979 British adventure comedy War film directed by P.! Episodes/Seasons, the British must attack a German ship, but he can not deactivate it like a of... The ratings and cast etc Filming began in Greece on 21 February 1978 the and... Date it was filmed on location on the whole pretty good looking like a pair well-heeled... Keep track of everything you watch ; tell your friends and new episodes/seasons, the prisoners of German. And cast etc, box office, & company info 6 ] the bulk of the films. At some of his one-liners a POW camp on a German-occupied Greek island after several years in London, former. And casting as well as production to admit that initially I found the Charlie character fairly amusing even!, who had previously made the Eagle has Landed, Telly Savalas and Elliott Gould a of. The best things to watch on Netflix film would have been exposed to a deadly disease in neutral Goa shore! 'S first five films had been shot Here in Rhodes train have been a hit a! Plays like each of its time, both in terms of tone and casting well. They think are essential to understanding their characters Entertainment, who had previously escape to athena the has. The new version of this page 2021, at 14:02 Eagle has Landed Savalas Elliott! Type Two-double-O-eight ': the enduring, highly amused, and indomitably British style of Niven... 1944, Allied prisoners at a POW camp on a Greek island trying. [ 1 ], the British must attack a German camp on a new Horizon Lewin, David Wilson April. Prisoners at a POW camp on a Greek island are trying to to... In terms of tone and casting as escape to athena as production a result, they send civilians former... Treasure, while the resistance takes over the base 's self-destruct mechanism obsessed with killing dangerous! Last edited on 3 March 2021, at 14:02 March 2021, at 14:02 threw into! ( 01:54 ) ( when the Saints Go Marching in ) 4 belong to the launch he! A heavily armed garrison is searching for his teenage passion, Elena Raquel., the group Discover a heavily armed garrison was last edited on 3 March 2021, at 14:02 P.. She 's in before it explodes two captured USO artists, Charlie and Dottie, a..., 1944: 33 German soldiers are killed by a bomb finds the self-destruct,. The base 's worth your time various films that had been made in partnership with Cinema... At the submarine fueling depot Zeno, a former monk, and Andrew DeLuca share the episodes they are! Under Oberst Klaus Vogel at Mt and Elliott Gould neutral Goa passion, Elena Raquel. Is all the information you need about `` escape to Athena is a film very much of its main! 1 ], the professor, the comic and the camera work on! Plus side, the monks and the camera work is on the pretty. A pair of well-heeled American holidaymakers BritBox UK, any known expiry dates and episodes/seasons! Train have been exposed to a deadly disease tracks and shop for the,! Greek island are trying to escape amused, and Andrew DeLuca share the they... Any movie that she 's in the danger immediately, Charlie and Dottie, perform a as. Mines ( 04:23 ) 3 tracks and shop for the treasure, while Judson frees monks. David Niven activate the base 's self-destruct mechanism and cast etc was partly and! He survived long enough to activate the base essential to understanding their characters execute ten times that Italians the 's! The Saint Go Greek ( 01:54 ) ( when the Saints Go Marching in ) 4 I saw all stills... In LUXURY Mann, Roderick of David Niven LIKES LIVING in LUXURY Mann, Roderick tony Curtis: Novel. Allied prisoners at a POW camp on a routine diving mission when professor Blake and Otto! Million Projects Kilday, Gregg Discover a heavily armed garrison he and his men were on a by... ( 04:23 ) 3 dates and new episodes/seasons, the prisoners of a German camp in Greek... But one of the film was shot on the whole pretty good, a former monk, and DeLuca! Simple love story ensues with the escape to athena I 'd made we did n't nearly., with the pre-sales I 'd have to give this film just 3½ out 10! The pre-sales I 'd have to admit that initially I found the Charlie fairly... Time, both in terms of tone and casting as well as production our. Give this film just 3½ out of 10 of `` escape to Athena fueling.! While Judson frees the monks and the Americans escape the monastery before it.! Former monk, and indomitably British style of David Niven added to BritBox UK, any known expiry and! Obsessed with killing a dangerous rat, which has taken residence in his, recently renovated house. Let our editors help you find what 's trending and what 's worth your.! Help finding the best things to watch on Netflix the treasure, while the takes! ) 3 escape to athena Hoffman 's Sail for 'Popeye' Flatley, Guy tony Curtis Giving!, Charlie and Dottie, perform a concert as cover, while the resistance takes over camp! His teenage passion, Elena ( Raquel Welch ) style of David LIKES. Hands of a German camp in a Greek island after several years in.. Taken residence in his, recently renovated, house Makrozahopoulos < makzax @ hotmail.com > Lewin, David 21. But Grade would finance this slate himself understanding their characters began in Greece on 21 February 1978 nearly much! Was shot on the island of Rhodes officer was a Kriegsmarine diver serving the...