WORLD CUP SPECIAL: Victory (1981)

                In honor of the upcoming World Cup final match, I thought it would be appropriate to review the only war soccer (sorry rest of the world, but that’s what I’m going to call it) movie that I am aware of.  Talk about a tiny subgenre.  It is my favorite movie that combines war (specifically the prisoner of war subgenre) and soccer.  I actually saw it long before I became a soccer coach.  I now use it in my Soccer P.E. class on rainy days.  The boys love it, what’s not to like?  It combines their favorite sport with war.

                The movie opens with an escaping prisoner being machine gunned while caught in the barbed wire surrounding the prison camp.  This abuses you of any thought that it might be a comedy.  There is no time frame given but it would appear to be 1942 as there is a reference to British successes in North Africa.  A German officer named Von Steiner (Max Von Sydow) proposes a match between a team of POWs led by a British officer named Colby (Michael Caine) and the German national team.  Both men are former professional soccer players.  Von Steiner seems sincere in just wanting to have an international match, but Nazi propagandists quickly see the potential for an ass-whipping display of Aryan superiority.  Von Steiner facilitates a fair match by allowing Colby’s squad to get special treatment and even gets Colby some emaciated and mistreated Eastern European stars from other prison camps.  Colby’s team includes a very talented Luis (Pele) from Trinidad.  It also includes a typically obnoxious, cocky, soccer-challenged Yank named Hatch (Sylvester Stallone).  The subplot of Hatch escaping from the camp is somehow blended into the soccer match plot which itself is morphed into a prison escape.  It is not as pretzely as you would anticipate.  All of this builds to the match in Colombe Stadium in Paris.  It is arranged for the team to escape at half-time, but will they flee as losers?

                “Victory” (also known as “Escape to Victory”) was one of John Huston’s ("The African Queen") last films.  I’m guessing most cinephiles are surprised to be reminded that he directed it.  In fact, movie has been long forgotten by most.  I was under the impression that it had bombed when it came out, but my research shows that it was a moderate success and even got mostly positive reviews.  It was filmed in Budapest because the city looked more like 1940s Paris than Paris did.  Budapest also had a 1940ish soccer stadium. 

                   The movie is technically proficient with a well-constructed three acre prison camp set.  The barracks are a bit too pristine, but the settings are realistic.  The cinematography is nothing special until the match where Gerry Fisher does a wonderful job lensing the action.  We get a mixture of close-ups, medium, and longer range shots that manage to avoid making the game look fake.  There is even some slow motion (like on Pele’s bicycle kick).  Quick cuts work perfectly to make the game look like a battle.  It also reduces the visuals that might have soccer fans crying fake.  The way the game is depicted is among the best cinema contests.  The game was choreographed by a former pro with input from Pele (who I would imagine was listened to when he spoke).  Amazingly, on a key foul that results in a penalty kick, I rewatched it and could not determine if it was a bad call.  That may not mean anything to a non-soccer fan, but trust me - I just gave the movie  a huge compliment.   There is absolutely no comparison to the soccer piece of crap in “The Boys from Company C”.  The score by Bill Conti is above average.  The theme rolling over the credits is old school reminiscent of “The Dam Busters” ilk.  The music matches the scenes well and rises to a crescendo in the match.



                The acting is much better than you would expect considering a large part of the cast is not actors, including Sylvester Stallone.  Seriously, Sly does some acceptable work here.  The role of a cocky American suits him and he certainly plays soccer incompetent well.  Caine is solid although way too old to play a soccer player.  The movie has eighteen international soccer stars appearing on screen.  Some are quite famous and this explains why the movie was a bigger hit overseas than in America.  They do fine and it does not come off as just stunt casting.  Pele is comfortable in front of the camera, but none of the others embarrass themselves.  Of course, it helps that they are on screen with Stallone.  I have to specifically mention Werner Roth who plays the German captain with verve.  Roth is in the National Soccer Hall of Fame and was a key member of the New York Cosmos back when teammate Pele was trying to bring soccer to America.  Special mention has to go to the crowd at the game.  Aside from the anachronistic clothing, they are as good as you could ask for.  I am sure they were grateful that Stallone was overruled when he insisted on scoring the winning goal.



Sly stopping a goal is infinitely more plausible
than him scoring one

                I was pretty shocked to find that a basis for the story could be posited, although it is unclear whether the screenwriters were aware of this.  There is no claim that it is based on a true story.  The seed could have been the mythical “Death Match” in the Ukraine in WWII.  The FC Dynamo Kyiv played some matches against German military units during the occupation.  They were undefeated and according to legend, after the last victory the team was arrested by the Gestapo and they were executed.  This extreme version of the story has been refuted by modern scholarship, but when the legend becomes fact, print the legend.



                If you were to read a summary of the plot, you would shake your head and you would not green-light the production.  Somehow it works as light-weight entertainment.  Parts of it are implausible, but nothing is laughable.  It is not totally predictable and the end is crowd-pleasing without being cloying.  The game is above average and we all know how hard it is to realistically act out game action.  But the best thing I can say about it is repeat viewings have not made me question my sanity.  Is it more entertaining than a World Cup soccer match?  Decide for yourself. 

GRADE  =  B- 

the trailer



CRACKER? A Soldier’s Story (1984)

 

            “A Soldier’s Story” is a film directed by Norman Jewison based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play.  It was shot on a small budget because the studio questioned its box office potential.  It turned out to be a modest success and made a profit.  It was a hit with critics and was nominated for Oscars for Best Picture, Supporting Actor (Adolph Caesar), and Adapted Screenplay.  The movie was filmed in Arkansas and Governor Bill Clinton provided the National Guard for a scene.

                The movie is basically a military mystery from the subgenre that includes “A Few Good Men”.  Sgt. Waters (Caesar) is murdered on a base in Louisiana in 1945.  He is part of an all-black unit training for war in Europe.  A black lawyer is brought in to investigate the case.  Capt. Davenport (Howard Rollins, Jr.) is not welcomed by anyone.  Noone wants to tell him the truth.  He does determine that Waters was a martinet and a racist - a black racist.  Waters was especially hard on the darker skinned blacks and the Southern blacks who he felt embarrassed the race.  There are any number of people who would have wanted him dead.

                The movie is well-acted by a very good cast.  It includes Denzel Washington, David Alan Grier, and Robert Townsend.  Caesar is outstanding as the loathsome Waters.  Rollins is solid coming off his star-making role in “Ragtime”.  The film is very dialogue driven which is no surprise given its source.  The low budget also contributes to the feel of a play.  One of the more interesting aspects of the movie is the soundtrack by Herbie Hancock.  The screenplay is thought-provoking because it deals with a type of racism that is seldom dealt with in movies.  The mystery is solid with some typical red herrings, but a satisfactory conclusion.

GRADE =  B-

4TH OF JULY: The Devil’s Disciple (1959)

                “The Devil’s Disciple” was based on the George Bernard Shaw play.  The play was a strange choice for a movie considering Shaw did not like the play and never staged it in England.  Considering the Irishman’s view toward England, Shaw probably would have appreciated the movie.  The film was directed by Guy Hamilton and stars Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, and Laurence Olivier (billed in that order).  Olivier did not enjoy the experience and did not get along with his co-stars.  He would purposely get their names mixed up.  The movie was not a success.  Possibly because of the egregious tag line:  “Burt, Kirk, and Larry are coming – by George!”

                The movie opens with a nifty animated map explaining Burgoyne’s campaign to separate New England from the rest of the colonies by invading New York.  It summarizes the Revolutionary War as the “suppression of a rebellion” versus “the pursuit of liberty”.  Reverend Anderson (Lancaster) attempts to prevent the execution of a rebel and then is prevented from giving the victim a Christian burial.  That night the rebel's son Richard Dudgeon (Douglas) steals the body.  He’s a rogue who dresses like a dandy.  The title refers to him.  He is the opposite of the pacifist, moral Anderson.  Anderson’s wife Judith (Janette Scott) is repelled, yet intrigued by this bad boy.  When Gen. Burgoyne arrives, he insists on arresting Anderson for burying the rebel.  Dudgeon claims to be the Reverend and is found guilty in a trial.  Anderson leads the militia in an assault to rescue him.  Judith is torn between the two.

You have violated the law against colonists
being more handsome than Banastre Tarleton

                This is not your typical war movie.  However, it is certainly more warlike than the play.  The movie does  a good job fitting some action in that the play did not have.  The movie is undoubtedly better than the play.  The acting is stellar as can be expected.  Lancaster and Douglas made seven movies together and it looks like they are enjoying themselves.  While Olivier may not have enjoyed the experience, his mood was perfect for Burgoyne.  He probably found a kindred spirit in “Gentelman Johnny”.  He is snarky (a word not yet in use back then).  Janette Scott is in over her head and if the movie was remade today, Lancaster and Douglas would go riding off into the sunset at the end.  The plot is fine even if Shaw was not proud of it.  Even lesser Shaw is still pretty darn good.  It is a bit predictable and simplistic.  When Anderson changes his personality to action hero, he also changes his clothes to buckskin.  The dialogue is outstanding, of course.  At the end of the film, someone asks Burgoyne what history will say about the events and he responds with:  “History will tell lies, as usual.”  Dudgeon gets some great lines in the trial.  The movie is a deft blend of romance, comedy, and action.  The action is surprisingly vigorous.   The rebel assault includes some effective cannon fire. 

                The movie is appropriate viewing for the 4^th of July.  John Burgoyne was an actual figure and his personality is portrayed based on his reputation.  The Anderson character finds a loose equivalency in Peter Muhlenberg – the “Fighting Pastor of the Revolution”.  Muhlenberg was an Anglican minister who left his pulpit to command the 8^th Virginia Regiment.  Muhlenberg had been active in rebel politics before this so he did not have the transformation that Anderson undergoes.  The background of his campaign is a fairly good tutorial on what may have been the most important event in the Revolution.  Burgoyne did flounder in the American wilderness due to the recalcitrance of the rebels.  The aftermath of the fictional events in Springtown is going to be the Battle of Saratoga.  The movie accurately reflects the divided loyalties among the colonists and the frustrations this created for the British.  Burgoyne is also frustrated by the lack of support from the British high command.  One theme that is very Shawian is the movie is critical of the clergy and religion.  It is a bit of a surprise that the screenwriters did not substitute action for the cynicism about religion.  Kudos on that.

                “The Devil’s Disciple” has its detractors, but I am not one of them.  To me it is a fun movie as evidenced by the unique animation.  Of course, it did not hurt that I am a huge fan of Lancaster and Douglas.  Throw in Olivier and I’m all in.  Besides, considering the paucity of movies about the Revolutionary War, you have to take what you can get.

GRADE  =   A

LIVE: Battle Taxi (1955)

                Oh, Lord, another Korean War movie.  I wonder if it will suck like most of them.  What is a battle taxi?  Is this movie about the First Battle of the Marne?  I guess I will find out.  There’s the stirring music, it's go time!  Two technical advisers and cooperation from the Pentagon and the Air Force.  Seems like overkill for a movie like this.  G.I.s are humping and there is footage of the Chicoms chasing them.  Capt. Edwards (Sterling Hayden) literally pushes the panic button when word comes of a wounded soldier.  Rendezvous at Long Dong – that's what she said.  Edwards:  “Remember, you’re flying a helicopter, not a jet.” (I wish he had said that to the person who did the movie poster.)  That means no hot dogging!  Aerial view of a MASH unit.  P-51 fighter escort which turn into jets but retain the prop noises and then we are back to P-51s.  Nobody will notice.  When a patrol is attacked by a tank, Lt. Stacey (Arthur Franz) buzzes the tank and then fires flares at it.  Stacey is having trouble remembering he is not a fighter pilot any more.  F-86s arrive and use napalm and rockets on the tank.  Edwards is angry that the chopper has some holes in it.  Stacey was a fighter pilot – choppers are beneath him.  I wonder if he will learn to respect his job.  Edwards will make an Air Rescue pilot out of him if it kills him.  Edwards takes a bird up for a spin.  They reverse the film so it looks like he can fly backwards.  The old man still has his stuff.  Edwards brings Stacey along to brief Stacey’s former squadron mates – boy, is that harsh!  Edwards shows a film of silly early helicopters and then actual footage of rescues.  Is there going to be a quiz?  Stacey is assigned to an island base behind enemy lines.  The big push is coming.  Montage of preparation.  Excellent footage of bombings including gun camera strafing.  Some WWII shoot downs.  I’m sure no one will notice.  When a pilot lands in the water, Stacey disobeys orders to go after him.  They land and refuel from a truck – not a fuel truck, I mean siphoning.  When an enemy tank approaches, they take off without a close call.  Boring!  On the next mission, they chopper into an obvious trap. They are shot down, but Edwards rides to the rescue.  Stacey is wounded and Edwards acts as a sitting duck while a doctor works on Stacey.  A fighter takes out two enemy hiding in the bushes – great shooting!  Next scene has Stacey briefing the jocks, but this time he is proud to be in Air Rescue.  He taunts the fighter jocks by pointing out that he can fly into battle bare-headed!  (See the poster) 

                “Battle Taxi” was better than expected.    There is a lot of footage and it is fairly well blended.  There are some flubs if you are an asshole like me and look for stuff like that.  The acting is pretty good from a nice cast.  Franz is a B movie actor, but Hayden and Thompson were pretty big stars. The dialogue is pretty good.  I was prepared to wince, but didn’t.  The action is not pulpy and there is a lack of suspense in some scenes that should have had it.  I guess that is fine, if unexpected.  Air Rescue deserved a movie.  Where would those glory hound doctors be without their patients?  This movie is a good companion to “Battle Circus”.  In war movie Heaven, they show them back to back at the celestial drive-in movie theater.  Surprisingly, Taxi is the better movie.

GRADE  =  C