Watch Escape to Athena

Escape to Athena is a thrilling action-comedy movie released in 1979, directed by George P. Cosmatos, and featuring a star-studded cast that includes the likes of Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, and David Niven. Set during World War II, the movie takes place on the beautiful Greek island of Athena, which has been occupied by the Germans. The island is home to a group of Allied prisoners of war who are being held captive in a fortress by the occupying German forces. The prisoners, led by an American Colonel named Robert Hatch (Roger Moore), are made up of a diverse group of people, including British soldiers, Greek civilians, and Italian prisoners.

Despite the harsh conditions of their captivity, the prisoners are determined to make the best of their situation, and they spend their days playing cricket, smoking cigars, and planning their escape. However, their plans are complicated when a team of German archaeologists arrives on the island, led by the dastardly Major Otto Hecht (Telly Savalas).

Hecht is searching for ancient Greek artifacts, and he believes that the island of Athena holds the key to finding them. To help with his search, Hecht enlists the help of two British officers, Captain Hawkins (David Niven) and Sergeant Miller (Stefanie Powers), who have been assigned to the island to assist with the excavation. Unbeknownst to Hecht, Captain Hawkins is secretly working for the Allies, and he is determined to find a way to sabotage Hecht's plans.

As tensions rise between the POWs and the Germans, the prisoners hatch a daring escape plan that involves stealing a boat and making their way to the Greek mainland. But with the Germans closing in and time running out, the prisoners must use all of their wits and ingenuity to succeed.

Overall, Escape to Athena is a fast-paced and exciting movie that blends together elements of comedy, action, and drama. The performances of the star-studded cast are excellent, with Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, and David Niven all delivering memorable performances. The beautiful Greek scenery is also a standout feature of the movie, and it provides a stunning backdrop for the action-packed adventure.

While the movie has its fair share of thrilling action sequences and tense moments, it also has plenty of humor and light-hearted moments. This makes the movie a great choice for anyone who enjoys action-comedy movies, or anyone who is looking for a fun-filled adventure with a colorful cast of characters.

In terms of drawbacks, some viewers may find the movie's use of stereotypes and caricatures to be a bit dated by today's standards. In particular, the portrayal of the Greek civilians on the island as being overly emotional and prone to outbursts may be seen as insensitive or offensive by some viewers.

However, overall, Escape to Athena is a classic action-comedy movie that delivers plenty of thrills, laughs, and excitement. With its talented cast, gorgeous scenery, and thrilling storyline, it is a movie that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

Escape to Athena is a 1979 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.