Escape to Athena

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Escape to Athena

PG

1979

1h 42m

Action

Adventure

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3 Reviews

32%

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1,000+ Ratings

A ragtag group of prisoners -- Italian chef Bruno (Sonny Bono), British archeology professor Blake (David Niven), American soldier Nat (Richard Roundtree) and Greek prostitute Eleana (Claudia Cardinale) -- befriend each other in a Greek POW camp run by Otto Hecht (Roger Moore), an art-loving Nazi officer. With the help of local resistance fighters, the inmates plot to escape and steal valuable artifacts from a heavily guarded monastery that's used as a storehouse.

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Joe Clay

Times (UK)

Moore’s German accent is one of the many tongue-in-cheek elements of the film, which is best enjoyed if you don’t take it too seriously.

Jul 6, 2023

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...something of a lumpy pudding, redeemed only by the remarkable stunt-work and underlying warmth towards a cast seemingly caught mid-vacation...

Rated: 3/5

Nov 30, 2023

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Bernard Drew

Gannett News Service

It's quite mindless, but no worse and perhaps a bit more palatable than some of the other recent multi-starred international efforts.

Sep 20, 2019

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Simon H

I watch this every year near Christmas. It has become a bit of a staple. If you don't take it too seriously it is a lot of fun. A good script with highlights from Eliott Gould and a serious bit of work from Telly Savalas. Much better than some of today's offerings.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/22/24

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Mary S

Why show the Jew as insanely greedy?

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/19/24

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Audience Member

One of my favourite feel good movies. A great cast, including Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven and Richard Roundtree. Filmed on the beautiful Greek island of Rhodes. This movie is so much fun!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

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Audience Member

The clever yanks outwit the dim-witted krauts. A ludicrous story with lazy actors thinking of the fee. One of those where you know that when the camera stops, they sit having a chat about their Hollywood mansions and latest cars.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

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dustin d

Escape to Athena is something of a tonally dissonant war adventure/comedy about the Greek resistance in World War II. Some of the jokes work, others are groaners. The set pieces, however, are well done, particularly the motorcycle chase through the narrow streets of a Greek town. The cinematography looks expensive. Whatever criticisms one might have of the film, one can't say it is a badly made film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

An exciting, engaging WW2 adventure which doesn't take itself seriously at all. Pure fun.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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George P. Cosmatos

Director

Roger Moore

Major Otto Hecht

Telly Savalas

Zeno

David Niven

Professor Blake

Claudia Cardinale

Eleana

Richard Roundtree

Nat Judson

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Synopsis

A ragtag group of prisoners -- Italian chef Bruno (Sonny Bono), British archeology professor Blake (David Niven), American soldier Nat (Richard Roundtree) and Greek prostitute Eleana (Claudia Cardinale) -- befriend each other in a Greek POW camp run by Otto Hecht (Roger Moore), an art-loving Nazi officer. With the help of local resistance fighters, the inmates plot to escape and steal valuable artifacts from a heavily guarded monastery that's used as a storehouse.

Director: George P. Cosmatos
Screenwriter: Edward Anhalt
Production Co: ITC Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Action, Adventure
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 3, 2019
Runtime: 1h 42m

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