Escape to Athena

Escape to Athena is a 1979 British-Italian historical action-adventure film directed by George P. Cosmatos, set during the tumultuous days of World War II. The movie is notable for its unique blend of war drama, action, and treasure hunt elements, which come together to form an engaging narrative. The film takes place on the picturesque Greek island of Ithaca, where a group of prisoners from various nationalities, including a Russian pilot, an Italian naval officer, and a British spy, are held captive in a German concentration camp. The prisoners, led by a German prisoner named Sergeant Steiner (Stathis Giallelis) and the cunning and resourceful Lieutenant Rokos (Richard Burden), devise a plan to escape from the camp and make their way to the island's highest peak, where a hidden monastery is rumored to contain a valuable treasure. The German officers, including Commandant Kramer (Christopher Lee) and Captain Kessler (Sean Connery), are aware of the legend surrounding the treasure and are eager to claim it for themselves. Kramer, a ruthless and cunning officer, will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, including using the prisoners to retrieve the treasure. As the prisoners begin their perilous journey to the monastery, they face numerous obstacles, including treacherous terrain, harsh weather conditions, and the ever-present threat of German patrols. Along the way, they discover a network of underground tunnels and hidden passageways that lead to the monastery, but they also find themselves trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the German soldiers. Meanwhile, a group of Allied commandos, led by Major Allingham (Roger Moore), are also on the island, searching for the treasure to use as leverage in the war effort. The commandos and the prisoners cross paths, leading to a tense and often violent confrontation between the two groups. Throughout the film, the prisoners face numerous challenges, including navigating the treacherous terrain, avoiding German patrols, and dealing with internal conflicts within their own ranks. As they draw closer to the monastery, they begin to realize that the treasure may not be the only valuable thing they will find - they also discover the true meaning of loyalty, sacrifice, and freedom. The film's climax features an epic battle between the prisoners, the commandos, and the German soldiers, with the treasure as the prize. In the end, the prisoners emerge victorious, but not without great cost. As they make their way back to freedom, they are met with a surprise that challenges everything they thought they knew about the true nature of the treasure and their own place in the world. Escape to Athena is a thrilling and action-packed film that combines elements of war drama, adventure, and treasure hunt to create a unique and engaging narrative. With a talented cast, including Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Christopher Lee, the film delivers on its promise of non-stop action and suspense.