- Film Review
- Reviewed By David Parkinson
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3 out of 5
Blessed with one of the silliest scripts in recent memory, this is a triumph of pre-production planning. Can you imagine what this corny prisoner-of-war picture would have been like if producer Freddie Fields had not secured the services of Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone, Max von Sydow and a squad of international footballing legends (including Pelé, Bobby Moore and Osvaldo Ardiles)? It's pretty obvious that director John Huston didn't quite know what to make of it all, but his sure touch and Pelé's football choreography turn this into a rousing romp, made all the more enjoyable by the shocking performances of the players. It's escapist entertainment in every sense.
Plot Summary
Second World War drama starring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine and Pelé. As a propaganda stunt, the Nazis arrange a football match between the national German team and a squad made up of prisoners of war. However, the PoW team see the game as a chance to attempt an audacious escape.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Robert Hatch
- Sylvester Stallone
- John Colby
- Michael Caine
- Luis Fernandez
- Pelé
- Terry Brady
- Bobby Moore
- Carlos Rey
- Osvaldo Ardiles
- Michel Fileu
- Paul Van Himst
- Paul Wolchek
- Kazimierz Deyna
- Gunnar Hilsson
- Hallvar Thorensen
- Sid Harmor
- Mike Summerbee
- Pieter Van Beck
- Co Prins
- Doug Clure
- Russell Osman
- Arthur Hayes
- John Wark
- Erik Borge
- Soren Linsted
- Tony Lewis
- Kevin O'Calloghan
- Major Karl Von Steiner
- Max von Sydow
- Coach Mueller
- Gary Waldhorn
- Baumann
- Werner Roth
- Colonel Waldron
- Daniel Massey
- Rose
- Tim Pigott-Smith
- Shurlock
- Julian Curry
- Forger
- Clive Merrison
- Pyrie
- Maurice Roëves
- Commentator
- Anton Diffring
Crew
- Director
- John Huston
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