Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- breezy
- adventurous
- classic adventure night
- action movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as an uneven blend of broad comedy and military action, while consistently singling out its motorcycle chase as an exceptional set piece.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The prisoner escape and resistance plot is repeatedly framed through broad comedy alongside action sequences.
The prisoners seek an ineffable treasure hidden in a monastery above the island, providing the adventure's secondary objective.
The climactic motorcycle pursuit through narrow village streets features jumps, sidecar action, and notable stuntwork.
World War II and German imprisonment supply the historical backdrop, while the hidden treasure and comic ensemble create an adventurous fantasy of escape.
Films like Escape to Athena, and why
The Great Escape
shared world war ii setting, prisoner escape premise, military action, and memorable vehicle chase
Where Eagles Dare
shared world war ii adventure, covert resistance activity, ensemble cast, and broad action-comedy tone
The Guns of Navarone
shared Greek island setting, wartime adventure, comic ensemble dynamics, and treasure-seeking plot
Escape from Zahrain
shared wartime escape structure, action set pieces, and light comic treatment of military danger
Movie Details
- Director
- George P. Cosmatos
- Release Date
- 1979-05-21
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (139)
Cast
- Roger Moore
- Telly Savalas
- David Niven
- Stefanie Powers
- Claudia Cardinale
- Richard Roundtree
- Sonny Bono
- Elliott Gould
- Anthony Valentine
- Siegfried Rauch
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, MovieMe
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Escape to Athena about?
- A motley group of prisoners and allies turns a World War II escape from a Greek island camp into a treasure hunt filled with comic bravado and spectacular motorcycle action.
- What is Escape to Athena like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Escape to Athena as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Escape to Athena violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Escape to Athena as moderate.
- What did critics think of Escape to Athena?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as an uneven blend of broad comedy and military action, while consistently singling out its motorcycle chase as an exceptional set piece.
- Which films are like Escape to Athena?
- Films with a similar feel include The Great Escape, Where Eagles Dare, The Guns of Navarone, and Escape from Zahrain.
- How long is Escape to Athena?
- Escape to Athena runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch Escape to Athena?
- In United States, Escape to Athena streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
