h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hollywoods idea of a "soccer" movie with big star names. i beleive it was directed by the late john Sleisenger whi was british and should have known better.
its set in WW2 in a German P.O.W camp which just happens to hold Pele, Ossie Ardiles and Bobby Moore. the wafer thin plot revolves around a show piece game against the crack German national team in a French stadium. With the help of the French resisitance a tunnel is dug to the stadium to allow an escape an half time from the dressing room. Goalie is Sylvester Stallone-yes really-who of course is brilliant in goal. At half time they are losing 1-0 due to rough tactics and a biased ref but the crowd are on their side bcause of this.
The dilema is go down the tunnel to freedom or stay and try to win the game and humilate the Germans. Yep you guessed it they stay and force a morale victory draw, the crowd rush the pitch at the end and they escape in the crush with the germans roundly booed. Awful but the original script called for Stallone to save a penaly , run up the pitch and hit the winning goal but it was pointed out this wasnt too realistic.pass the paxo

And here's the team : !!!

Goalie : Sylvester Stallone
Defence : Paul Van Himst, Co Prins, Russell Osman, Michael Caine (and belly).
Midfield : Ossie Ardiles, Bobby Moore, John Wark (and moustache), Soren Linsted.
Strikers : Mike Summerbee and Pele.
Subs : Kazimariez Deyna and Halluar Thoresen.
Kevin O'Callaghan didn't get to play, as Michael Caine broke his arm - on purpose - so that Sly could play!

Watching the film again the other day (!!) you just can't believe that Stallone had even watched a game of footie before, let alone played...

Bobby Moore was manager of my local team, Oxford city at the time and took a lot of stick over his film debut. Sad to say he and Deyna are both gone now. How about escape to victory 2 with Beckham in it.....just a thought.