As it's a bit quiet on the footy front at the moment I thought it time to write another boring long post just to give you all something to read. I recently compiled a video of the best bits from Escape to Victory for my website so I thought I would post it here for you all to watch and comment on if you fancy it. I know this film has, over the years, inheritted the reputation, dare I say stigma, of being that movie you watch slumped in your living room as you try and digest more Christmas dinner than you are physically capable of. But to me it is more than that because it a) encapsulates something about our beautiful game which no other film has and b) it stars our very own Sir Bobby!! Watching it now reminds me of just how much the game has changed and how far removed today's football is from what it used to be. I am not suggesting that this is a realistic portrayal of course but it does depict how football was viewed by the average fan back in 1981 when it was made. I remember reading Tina Moore's autobiography in which she described it as a silly film. I was a little disappointed to read this from her of all people and I really believe that anyone who thinks this has missed the point by such a large margin. When we take a look at the cast it's difficult to see how it could have been chosen any better and each actor has there moment. Caine has moments all throughout the film bossing people about with that unmistakable voice, Ardilles produces a classic moment, Pele has a classic Pele moment and Stalone has a trademark heroic moment. The only moment that was slightly off kilter was Bobby's as he scored a goal!! To me the main thing that this film attempts to capture is a sense of freedom that we feel when the game is played in it's purest form. Yes, I know that the storyline is tangled up in the political wranglings of wars past. But it's knowing that the natural gifts of one side to play the game on the most attractive and talented level imaginable will overcome whatever barbaric and underhand methods the other side employ, regardless of the odds. It's what footballing fantasies are made of.
That was different, anyway. A little 'Jolly good show chaps' but fun. I think it's more how we thought of football in the 30's and 40's. I really can't see a lot of difference between the 60's and now. The ball is a lot lighter and easier to bend. Bit faster too maybe, but the same skills. Thanks anyway for sharing it. Clever sod for a Peterlee man, ain't you?
Not Peterlee blood though!! I can see a difference between the 60's game and today's game. But then again I am not old enough to remember the 30's and 40's game!!
Well I always saw it as Roy of the Rovers/Tucker of track go to war in Billy's Boots, with an inexplicable yank; and none the worse for that!