Escape to Athena
“The patriot, the professor, the comic and the stripper... were fighting for what they believed in... Getting rich!”
Synopsis
During the World War II, the prisoners of a German camp in a Greek island are trying to escape. They not only want their freedom, but also seek an ineffable treasure hidden in a monastery at the summit of the island's mountain.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Vintage TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2025-08-11
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Roger Moore
Otto Hecht
Telly Savalas
Zeno
David Niven
Professor Blake
Stefanie Powers
Dottie Del Mar
Claudia Cardinale
Eleana
Richard Roundtree
Nat Judson
Sonny Bono
Bruno Rotelli
Elliott Gould
Charlie
Anthony Valentine
Volkmann
Siegfried Rauch
Braun
Michael Sheard
Sergeant Mann
Richard Wren
Reistoffer
Philip Locke
Vogel
Steve Ubels
Lantz
Paul Picerni
Zeno's Man
Paul Stassino
Zeno's Man
Manolis Peletis
Stassia Stakis
Release History & Theatrical Window
June 6, 1979
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- George P. Cosmatos
- Screenplay & Story
- Richard S. Lochte, Edward Anhalt
- Original Score
- Lalo Schifrin
- Original Title
- Escape to Athena
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English, German, Greek
- Runtime
- 2h 5m
- Production Studios
- ITC Entertainment
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
George P. Cosmatos
Richard S. Lochte, Edward Anhalt, George P. Cosmatos
Lalo Schifrin
Gilbert Taylor
Ralph Kemplen
David Niven Jr., Jack Wiener
Department Leadership Roster
George P. Cosmatos
Director
Richard S. Lochte
Screenplay
Edward Anhalt
Screenplay
Michael Stringer
Production Design
Lalo Schifrin
Original Music Composer
David Niven Jr.
Producer
Ralph Kemplen
Editor
Yvonne Blake
Costume Design
Gilbert Taylor
Director of Photography
Vic Armstrong
Stunt Coordinator
Jack Wiener
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Escape to Athena.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Escape to Athena.
Mid Hunting List
A list of mids found by Mid Hunters
***Retro***
Marcelo's International movies list
War: World War II
Auto-filled from Letterboxd lists
Watched
All movies watched by me
Prime Video - War Movies
Curated list of War on Prime Video (US). Updated frequently. Last updated October 14, 2026.
Similar Titles to Escape to Athena
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
4.1
5.8
6.1
6.2
6.8
4.1
3.7
7.2
6.5
6.8
6.0
4.5
7.2
5.8
5.8
6.8
5.2
7.7Anime
More Like Escape to Athena
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About Escape to Athena
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Escape to Athena about?
During the World War II, the prisoners of a German camp in a Greek island are trying to escape. They not only want their freedom, but also seek an ineffable treasure hidden in a monastery at the summit of the island's mountain.
Who directed Escape to Athena?
Escape to Athena was directed by George P. Cosmatos.
Who stars in Escape to Athena?
The principal cast of Escape to Athena includes Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Stefanie Powers, Claudia Cardinale.
When was Escape to Athena released and how long is it?
Escape to Athena was released in 1979 with a total runtime of 2h 5m.
Who composed the musical score for Escape to Athena?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Escape to Athena was composed by Lalo Schifrin.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Escape to Athena?
Escape to Athena holds official age classifications: AU: M (Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.); US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).