Escape to Victory:. The Ipswich players who made a cult classic

[Craigie]

BBC News - Escape to Victory: The Ipswich footballers who made a cult classic

Escape to Victory: The Ipswich footballers who made a cult classic

How did a group of Ipswich Town players end up starring in a film with Pele, Stallone and Caine?

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[blue216]

More popularly known as "Escape to a High-scoring Draw".

 

[DocStone]

That was a cracking read, thanks for that!

 

[55 and counting]

Talksport have a show on this weekend about the making of the movie.

 

[HMS.Temple.Garden]

imagine a club manager, especially a top club which Ipswich were at the time, saying to their players that they were free to go and film a football game, these days!

 

[dublinbluenose]

More popularly known as "Escape to a High-scoring Draw".

True but they all escaped at the end which was the ultimate victory over the germans

 

[Main Stand]

One of my favourite movies.

 

[dublinbluenose]

One of my favourite movies.

I watch it every time it’s on.on a bit of rangers related trivia.i read that in one of the bigger pow camps they had a football competition with teams split into British club teams and Rangers won the competition

 

[Deleted member 125]

I have a Toffs Escape to Victory shirt signed by Pele waiting for me at my Mum's in the UK if I can ever get back to frame it and bring it back in the car with me.

 

[EnglishRanger]

On ITV4 at 6.40pm today.

 

[Main Stand]

I watch it every time it’s on.on a bit of rangers related trivia.i read that in one of the bigger pow camps they had a football competition with teams split into British club teams and Rangers won the competition

Never heard that tale before, brilliant!.

 

[stoogie]

Best bit about the film is the tail end when the team escapes with the crowd. A lot of the extras used have hair down to their shoulders and flares on with platform shoes. Set in 1940 odd, fimed in the late 70s.

 

[Main Stand]

I love how the match is an analogy of the war.

 

[UlsterScotGer]

True but they all escaped at the end which was the ultimate victory over the germans

Yeh Pele just strolled out the stadium in 1940’s Nazi Occupied Paris, cunningly disguised by putting a coat on.

 

[UlsterScotGer]

Watched this the other day and got a bit emotional when the crowd were singing the Marseillaise. Had to have a stern word with myself.

 

[Luthgibear]

Good read, thanks!

My father was in Stalag 9c Bad Sulza & for some strange reason they were not allowed to play football there. I have a pictures of playing in a hockey/shinty team tho. Strange they allowed sticks but not a ball!

 

[Luthgibear]

Double post sorry.

 

[Vallance]

Yeh Pele just strolled out the stadium in 1940’s Nazi Occupied Paris, cunningly disguised by putting a coat on.

The Black and White Minstrels were playing Paris that week.

 

[dublinbluenose]

Yeh Pele just strolled out the stadium in 1940’s Nazi Occupied Paris, cunningly disguised by putting a coat on.

Who knew pele was actually from Trinidad and not Brazil.

 

[Masterblue]

I met John Wark in the now gone Bay Horse in Bath Street.
His cousins were locals in the pub.
Honestly such a nice unassuming guy who was loving being in the company of his family.

 

[Barrymoped]

I remember reading the story in the article of Stallone trying his best to ruin it by insisting he scored the winning goal!

When he was persuaded that it was a ridiculous suggestion since he was the goalie he was allowed to save the penalty instead, to feed his ego.

And one of the head Nazi’s went on to play Ming the merciless in Flash Gordon.
That’s me out of pointless trivia on that classic movie

 

[Corkinator]

On ITV4 at 6.40pm today.

Excellent heads up

 

[EnglishRanger]

On ITV4 at 6.40pm today.

I remember reading the story in the article of Stallone trying his best to ruin it by insisting he scored the winning goal!

When he was persuaded that it was a ridiculous suggestion since he was the goalie he was allowed to save the penalty instead, to feed his ego.

And one of the head Nazi’s went on to play Ming the merciless in Flash Gordon.
That’s me out of pointless trivia on that classic movie

Max Von Sydow.

 

[EnglishRanger]

Yeh Pele just strolled out the stadium in 1940’s Nazi Occupied Paris, cunningly disguised by putting a coat on.

He could have passed as someone from a French African colony as long as he didn't have to talk.

 

[Luis Fernandez]

Classic film and source of my username.

 

[EnglishRanger]

I got Kevin O'Callaghan as a pointless answer when Escape To Victory cast was one of the categories for the jackpot round. He was the goalkeeper who has his arm broken so Stallone can play in the match.

 

[BlueDel]

Good read.

If you are a certain age born in the early 70s or so, like me, this film is ingrained in your social psyche with mates. Cheesy, but all good clean fun.

One of those films that when you flick on the TV and it's on, you don't turn off. Love it.

 

[Luthgibear]

Isnt John Wark one of us?

 

[legalbeagle]

4-1 down at half time, the escape tunnel is ready for them to go through and escape from being POWs and then the immortal line “but we can win this” - utter toss!

And of course, Pele with the amazing overhead kick, but Stallone had to be the star, so they add in a penalty save.

 

[EnglishRanger]

Just watch the end of it and still brilliant. I forgot Maurice Roëves was also in it.

 

[Cammy8]

An

Watched this the other day and got a bit emotional when the crowd were singing the Marseillaise. Had to have a stern word with myself.

And a ham shank

 

[garioch blue]

Isnt John Wark one of us?

Very much so