Victory, directed by John Huston

Victory, directed by John Huston

Given the stellar cast and the name of the director, this film could be categorized as a disappointment

Of course, the alternative is to see this as an opportunity to see all these super stars in action and in unusual circumstances:

Michael Caine, Max von Sydow (and I am less enthusiastic about Sylvester Stallone) are in the company of

Pele, Bobby Moore, Osvaldo Ardiles and other great footballers

Sylvester Stallone has only impressed me in Copland.

That is a film where I could see this acclaimed performer act and do it well.

Otherwise, Rocky one through eleven, or whatever the final number is, together with Rambo and other action movies are proof of serious challenges for an actor who seems to talk like a red neck.

In Victory, Stallone is Captain Robert Hatch, an officer of the United States Army and prisoner of war.

In the Nazi camp, he tries to escape repeatedly.

Michael Caine plays another captain, John Colby.

He is asked by the commander of the German Camp to organize a team that would face the Nazi squad.

Max von Sydow, another wasted talent in this motion picture, portrays Major Karl Von Steiner.

Although a Nazi commander, this officer becomes a protagonist with some human features and positive traits.

When the famous Pele, considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time, scores a great goal…

Major Karl Von Steiner is up in the audience and the only German to applaud and appreciate the performance.

Robert Hatch, as an American, has little idea about the European favorite game…perhaps we could say no clue.

He is given the chance to be the goalkeeper and when there is a corner kick, he asks what that is.

However, given the nature of this movie, which is often ridiculous let us be clear, the goalie performs some…miracles.

I will not spoil it for the reader who wants to see it, albeit there is one chance in a billion to find that person.

Escape plans are combined with the effort to put up a great fight in the game between the Allies and the Nazi on the soccer field.

In fact, there is a “heroic” moment, at half time, where Robert Hatch has a chance to escape from the stadium.

Nevertheless, his teammates talk about…Victory.

-          We need to win! Come back to help us gain victory!...or words to that effect

Consequently, the “hero” goalkeeper-captain returns to parade in front of the German players.

We see Michael Caine playing football.

That is fun.

Overall, this is a weird proposition.

As a film, it offers little entertainment.

If listed as a documentary with great football moments and the participation of Michael Caine and Max von Sydow it might have done better.