Victory - 1981

Warner Bros., Lorimar Films

Directed by John Huston

Cast:

• Captain Robert Hatch – Sylvester Stallone
• Captain John Colby – Michael Caine
• Cpl. Luis Fernandez - Pelé
• Terry Brady – Bobby Moore
• Carlos Rey – Osvaldo Ardiles
• Michael Fileu – Paul Van Himst
• Paul Wolchek – Kazimierz Deyna
• Gunnar Hilsson – Hallvar Thoresen
• Sid Harmor – Mike Summerbee
• Pieter Van Beck – Co Prins
• Doug Clure – Russell Osman
• Arthur Hayes – John Wark
• Eric Ball – Søren Lindsted
• Tony Lewis – Kevin O'Callaghan
• Major Karl Von Steiner – Max Von Sydow

Story: Major Von Steiner, a Nazi officer and former German Soccer player, spots a former English Soccer coach as a prisoner in a camp while he is there as a part of a Red Cross investigation team. He proposes a game between the Allies and the Germans. John Colby, the Englishman, gives Von Steiner a list of requisites before he will agree to play, and when they are met, he begins training the men to play. Meanwhile the Allied Officers who are in command of the prisoners are not happy, claiming the game might violate the rules and regulations. They come around when they realize this game might present the opportunity for an escape that would have the Nazi's running around in France looking for prisoners instead of concentrating on the war. Major Von Steiner is under the impression the game will be officiated fairly, an impression that proves false once the Nazi propaganda officers indicate Germany will win the game.

Review: Despite many opinions to the contrary, there is as much comparison between this film and The Great Escape as Heidi and Star Wars. Yes, the film is set primarily in a German prison camp, and yes, the prisoners are always trying to escape. Hogan's Heroes had the same basic plot. Stalag 13 had the same basic plot. Hart's War had the same basic plot. Pretty much when you are writing about World War II, there are only a couple of plots you can use and still make the film believable. So much for comparisons.

This particular film has one irrefutable difference that makes it stand out among others of its genre: real soccer players. The entire Allied team is comprised of actual players from the World Cup leagues and teams, including Pelé, who is still arguably the finest player to grace the sport. His moves are legendary, and he performs well in this film, as do the others.

As to the actors, Michael Caine is the strong, confident Brit who works well with others to a point, but ultimately heeds his own advice and is much more concerned about his men and the game than the escape agenda. Sylvester Stallone plays an American who jumped into the war early, a patriot who chose to side with England and wants to get back it the war. Von Sydow is excellent as the well-meaning, fair minded officer who mistakenly thinks the Nazi's are in this for the competition, instead of just another tool to defeat the morale of the Allies. The film is quick paced, logical, believable, and ends with the proper format, the Allies win, the Germans lose, and the crowd at the stadium in Collonges helps the prisoners to escape at the end. An excellent film for soccer lovers and families.