Victory Homage

The classic soccer movie from 1981 directed by John Houston. Starring Michael Caine, Slyvester Stallone, Pele, and Osvaldo Ardiles. Stallone is cat like as the keeper? He looks like Tony Meola back there, in his prime. No really, for a POW he does what he can.

It is of course Pele who has the best moments, a bicycle kick and a few clever cuts past various Nazi defenders. But I don’t think there has ever been a soccer movie that correctly gives you a feel of what a true game is like. Someday let’s hope.

Movie synopsis:

As allied POWs prepare for a soccer game against the German National Team to be played in Nazi-occupied Paris, the French Resistance and British officers are making plans for the team’s escape.

The plan was to escape at halftime. Instead, the team thinks they can pull out the victory, which would mean much more to the fans and to them. So return to the field, pull out the win and the fans rush the field, enabling the players to blend in and escape with the fans.