Escape to Athena Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Nazis, prisoners, and Sonny Bono all want to steal gold plates, but the real treasure was the explosions they made along the way.

🍿 Escape to Athena: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Greek Island in WWII

In 1944, on an unnamed Greek island occupied by the Nazis, Allied prisoners are forced to excavate ancient artifacts from the temple of Neptune. Major Otto Hecht, the camp commandant, secretly ships valuable pieces to his sister in Switzerland while sending the rest to Berlin. The prisoners, fearing transfer to harsher camps when the artifacts run out, manipulate the discoveries.

Resistance and Hidden Treasures

The Greek resistance, led by Zeno, a former monk, operates from a local brothel run by his girlfriend Eleana. They plan to liberate the town and capture a nearby U-boat refueling depot. Two captured USO entertainers, Charlie and Dottie, arrive, and Hecht is captivated by Dottie, asking Charlie to organize a concert. Hecht hints that the real treasures lie in a monastery on Mount Athena.

Alliance and Deception

After a series of events, including Volkmann’s brutality and the cutting of brakes on a German officer’s car, the prisoners and resistance fighters join forces. Hecht, to protect himself and Dottie, aids the Allies in liberating the town and capturing the fuel depot. Charlie learns of Byzantine treasures in the monastery and convinces Zeno to help him steal them, promising riches in return.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Major Otto Hecht (Roger Moore): A charming Austrian antique dealer and German Major who is more interested in looting treasures than fighting the war, eventually joining forces with the Allies.
• Zeno (Telly Savalas): A tough, former monk and Greek resistance leader who uses unconventional methods to fight the Nazis and protect his homeland.
• Professor Blake (David Niven): A distinguished British archaeologist and POW who aids in artifact retrieval and later helps the resistance.
• Charlie Dane (Elliott Gould): A wisecracking American USO entertainer and POW who gets involved in treasure hunting and fighting the Nazis.
• Dottie Del Mar (Stefanie Powers): An American USO entertainer captured with Charlie, who ends up involved with the resistance and Major Hecht.
• Eleana (Claudia Cardinale): Zeno’s girlfriend who runs the local brothel, which serves as an undercover headquarters for the Greek resistance.
• SS Major Volkmann (Anthony Valentine): The ruthless SS Major who brutally enforces Nazi discipline and serves as a primary antagonist.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Zeno: “Now you can get out of the brothel business. With the Germans gone, you’ll have to. Greeks… they don’t pay.” – Zeno jokes with Eleana after their successful mission, highlighting her unique business and the changing times.
• Eleana: “Some of them don’t have to.” – Eleana’s witty reply to Zeno suggests her unique relationship with certain customers.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8 million
• Domestic Gross: $1.8 million
• Worldwide Gross: $1.8 million

💥 Escape to Athena Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched this movie because Roger Moore was in it, and honestly, it was a wild ride. The story is all over the place – Nazis, hidden treasure, Greek resistance – but somehow, it’s still entertaining. The scene where Stefanie Powers does a striptease for the Germans is just bizarre, but I couldn’t look away! And Sonny Bono as an Italian chef? Pure genius. I laughed, I cringed, and I ultimately had a good time. Don’t go in expecting a serious war movie, just embrace the craziness!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic war adventure movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy ensemble casts and light-hearted action”
  • “Those interested in Greek scenery and historical settings”
  • “Fans of Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, and other cast members”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Some suggestive content”
  • “Brief scenes of war-related violence”

Professional Reviews

• The Generic Times: “Escape to Athena tries to be both a serious war film and a comedic romp, failing at both. The cast seems to be enjoying their Greek vacation more than acting, resulting in a disjointed and uninspired final product.
• Artsy Fartsy Film Blog: “Visually stunning due to its Greek island locations, Escape to Athena’s plot is a confusing mess. The constant shifting between lighthearted comedy and serious war themes is jarring and undermines any potential emotional impact. The action sequences, though occasionally exciting, are ultimately forgettable.
• Action Movie Buffs: “While not a masterpiece, Escape to Athena provides some decent action and entertainment. The motorcycle chase is a definite highlight, and the all-star cast is fun to watch, even if they aren’t delivering career-defining performances. It’s a cheesy, enjoyable war flick.

Audience Reactions

I loved the crazy motorcycle chase through the narrow Greek streets!: Most people enjoyed the action sequences, especially the motorcycle chase.

The all-star cast made the movie fun to watch, even if the plot was a bit silly.: Viewers appreciated the ensemble cast and their on-screen chemistry.

Overall Consensus: Escape to Athena is a flawed but entertaining war adventure with a great cast and fun action, but its uneven tone and ridiculous plot may not appeal to everyone.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Despite concerns about the script’s quality, the cast was drawn to the film by the prospect of filming in Greece for three months.”
• “The movie attempts to blend humor with action, taking inspiration from classic war films like ‘The Guns of Navarone,’ ‘The Great Escape,’ and ‘Kelly’s Heroes,’ though many critics felt it fell short of these inspirations.”

🖥️ How to Watch Escape to Athena?

Currently, ‘Escape to Athena’ is not widely available on major streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, or Hulu. Check for rental or purchase options on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, or Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Escape to Athena, you might like these similar films:

• The Guns of Navarone (1961): Shares a similar WWII setting on a Greek island with a mission to destroy a key German target.
• Kelly’s Heroes (1970): Features a group of soldiers going rogue to steal gold from behind enemy lines, similar to the treasure hunt aspect.
• Hogan’s Heroes (1965-1971): A comedic take on a WWII POW camp, providing a lighter and humorous perspective on wartime scenarios.

🛒 Escape to Athena Related Products

• Greek Island WWII Diorama Kit: Relive your favorite moments from Escape to Athena with this detailed diorama kit. Includes miniature figures of key characters and scenic elements from the film.
• Escape to Athena: The Board Game: A strategy board game where players take on the roles of Allied prisoners, Greek resistance fighters, or even the cunning Major Hecht. Navigate the treacherous Greek island, steal the treasures, and outsmart your opponents to win.
• Vintage Style ‘Escape to Athena’ Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, perfect for framing and displaying your love for this cult classic.
• Roger Moore Signed Photo: A rare photo signed by Roger Moore. Each signed photo comes with a certificate of authenticity.

🎧 Soundtrack

Escape to Athena features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Keep Tomorrow For Me” – performed by Heatwave
• “O when the Saints…” – performed by Lalo Schifrin (Military March)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

😂How to Annoy the Occupiers?

Want to see a hilarious moment from ‘Escape to Athena’? This short clip shows how the characters find creative ways to mess with the occupiers. It’s laugh-out-loud funny!

Spectacular Mt Athos by helicopter in 1978 movie

Ever wondered where ‘Escape to Athena’ was filmed? Check out this opening sequence with breathtaking helicopter shots of Mount Athos and Rhodes! The scenery alone is worth the watch.

✨ Rate