Oddly for a cult war film, this one was shot in 1981 and starred everyone you'd ever hope to see in a film of this ilk.
Directed by the legendary film maker John Huston and a cast including the afore mentioned Caine, Sylvester Stallone, Max Von Sydow and given the subject matter of the film, Pele, Bobby Moore, Gordon Banks (goal keeping coach to Stallone) and quite a few of the 1980's Ipswich Town team, we follow the allies, in a prison of war camp, challenged to a game against the Nazi's.
Clearly a propaganda stunt by the powers that be, despite the Major (von Sydow) wanting a fair game, there's some naughtiness on the part of the Germans and the allies need to do something about it. This is, as the title suggests, a WWII escape film and following in the footsteps of The Great Escape, you'd be forgiven for feeling disappointed, but I ask you to go into this film without preconceptions. Sure, it's light on most things, story mainly, but think of it at football saves the world. An American in goal, Pele on the pitch with Bobby Moore and Michael Caine in charge...this film can't fail!
Fun Fact: following on from all his tutoring by the English World Cup legend Gordon Banks, Sly Stallone decided that he was pretty good and challenged some bloke called Pele to a shoot out.
Pele scored 5/5! Nice try Sly.
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