Victory

Rating:
Summary: Terrific movie
Review: "Victory" has the patriotism and under-doggishness of "Rocky" and the locations and style of music (including almost as catchy theme music) of "The Great Escape." "Victory" seems to take much of its style from these two movies, and I would say that fans of either of these movies (especially "Rocky") will find this movie very enjoyable. Sure, it borders between plausible and fantastical, but it's a credit to the directing genius of the legendary John Huston that the tension is sustained and we buy into all of it, getting caught up in the story.

Don't let the price of this DVD fool you; the video quality is phenomenal. Colors are very vibrant and blacks are pitch black. Buying this DVD (...), I was expecting mediocre-to-decent video quality and was blown away. (...) Perhaps the fact that it was directed by Huston prompted this... or maybe there's just a soccer fan at the WB digital labs. Anyways, I would definitely recommend the purchase of this DVD on the video quality alone. Nothing thrills me more with DVD than to watch a movie in 2.35:1 with a top-notch transfer.

Rating:
Summary: In the Tradition of The Great Escape
Review: A good War Movie, About comradery and teamwork. Despite a weak script, the drama makes it all worth while.

Rating:
Summary: If only World War II had been ninety minutes long!
Review: A very different kind of war movie. Some very popular cinematic stars such as Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, and Max Von Sydow appear with world class soccer stars headed by Brazil's Pele in an interesting and exciting film where the adversaries of history's most destructive war sublimated their hostilities to the soccer field. This was one of the last efforts of legendary film director John Huston and this one doesn't disappoint. Panoramic shots of the field and the continuous action of the game and its players during the last half of the film are the best since the chariot race scenes in "Ben Hur". This is a film worth watching even if you're not a soccer fan or you don't like war movies.

Rating:
Summary: An all time football classsic
Review: An all time classic, albeit with 'ham' acting from a few word famous footballers and 'ham' goalkeeping skills from Sly. My all time favourite moment is the line from Pele that goes something like " I do this, this, this, this, goal!" A must for all football fans.

Rating:
Summary: NOT AS BAD AS YOU'D THINK
Review: At first glance, you may be tempted to skip over this title; it looks like one of those studio films which tries to throw together a "hot" American actor (Stallone was probably at the peak of his popularity at the time) with an English counterpart (Michael Caine). And you're right, that's what this film is doing. Most of the time these projects don't work. Surprisingly, though, this one is pretty good.
The acting can be a bit clunky, Stallone is not absolutely convincing in his portrayal of a Yank in a dominantly English POW camp & his attempt at a French accent is horrifying. All that aside,though, it is a riveting movie experience. Believe me, this is not a "train wreck" that you can't stop watching- there are genuinely good performances in this film. Caine is right on-the-mark as the coach (I ask you, when is he not great?), Stallone has a couple of scenes where his passion shows (especially in the tunnel under the stadium) & the pro soccer players as a whole turn in good, solid performances. Typically when you have pro athletes in a film, they're usually parodying themselves or a reasonable facsimile. These guys have to play POWs who happen to be soccer players & they're surprisingly good. The actual soccer scenes are terrific. Watching the game, you may appreciate more the skills of first-rate soccer players.
One aspect of this film which is hardly recognized is the musical score. I liked it & found it to be a rousing partner to those moments of triumph.
Granted, this movie isn't perfect (by no stretch of the imagination) but I believe it's worth a try. This may turn out to be one of "your" guilty pleasures.

Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Soccer Film Ever
Review: Despite the obvious knocks on some of the acting, which really isn't bad, and the Hollywood style presentation style of the film, "Victory" is most certainly the greatest soccer film ever, and a real classic.

An inspirational movie set in the late WWII era inside a POW camp, Max Von Sidow, a high-ranking Nazi commandeer, agrees to arrange a "football" match between the POW's and the German national team. This is a propaganda stunt, something which really isn't all that unrealistic considering the Nazi philosophy at the time.

Sylvester Stallone is the star of the film, as the tough American who has an escape plan, but needs to be on the soccer team in order to carry it out. That is arranged through a classic scene in which the real goalkeeper's arm is broken purposely over two bed boards by Michael Cain, a co-star in the film. Cain, of course a Brit POW, is also in on the plan, along with the rest of the team.

A story of human courage and triumph, the inspirational play of the POW football team and the once inconceivable possibility that they can actually win the match against the Nazi's, proves irresistable for the POW's.

The contacts Stallone makes in his brief escape from the camp previously, sets up a half time breakout through the POW team's locker room. Of course when they arrive through the shattered floor of a huge tub via the underground sewer system, Stallone is the first to bail. But would the rest of the team? Will Stallone return to help defeat the Nazi's in a politically charged football match for the ages? You'll have to watch it to find out.

Ultimately this is a great film, the soundtrack is absolutely perfect, the actors and non-actors alike are all very entertaining and the uniquely inspiring storyline makes it an American classic.

Even if you are not a fan of football, this movie can be watched and enjoyed by people of any age. An underappreciated film, undeservingly so, but one that should be on every good American's list!

I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys sheer entertainment as well as some great, memorable actors along with what could be the only up-close look at the great Pele. For a $13 DVD price, it is your duty to own this one.

Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Soccer Film Ever
Review: Despite the obvious knocks on some of the acting, which really isn't bad, and the Hollywood style presentation style of the film, "Victory" is most certainly the greatest soccer film ever, and a real classic.

An inspirational movie set in the late WWII era inside a POW camp, Max Von Sidow, a high-ranking Nazi commandeer, agrees to arrange a "football" match between the POW's and the German national team. This is a propaganda stunt, something which really isn't all that unrealistic considering the Nazi philosophy at the time.

Sylvester Stallone is the star of the film, as the tough American who has an escape plan, but needs to be on the soccer team in order to carry it out. That is arranged through a classic scene in which the real goalkeeper's arm is broken purposely over two bed boards by Michael Cain, a co-star in the film. Cain, of course a Brit POW, is also in on the plan, along with the rest of the team.

A story of human courage and triumph, the inspirational play of the POW football team and the once inconceivable possibility that they can actually win the match against the Nazi's, proves irresistable for the POW's.

The contacts Stallone makes in his brief escape from the camp previously, sets up a half time breakout through the POW team's locker room. Of course when they arrive through the shattered floor of a huge tub via the underground sewer system, Stallone is the first to bail. But would the rest of the team? Will Stallone return to help defeat the Nazi's in a politically charged football match for the ages? You'll have to watch it to find out.

Ultimately this is a great film, the soundtrack is absolutely perfect, the actors and non-actors alike are all very entertaining and the uniquely inspiring storyline makes it an American classic.

Even if you are not a fan of football, this movie can be watched and enjoyed by people of any age. An underappreciated film, undeservingly so, but one that should be on every good American's list!

I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys sheer entertainment as well as some great, memorable actors along with what could be the only up-close look at the great Pele. For a $13 DVD price, it is your duty to own this one.

Rating:
Summary: Hatch! This game means a lot to us...you know that!
Review: Even though the story is totally unrealistic, it really is one of my guilty pleasures in my DVD collection. I have to agree with many of the good points that have already been said (good soccer footage, great music score, etc). The one item that people get wrong is that Stallone's character is NOT and American, but rather a Canadian soldier, who during WWII would've fought alongside British troops.
It was a good idea also to let the actors carry the story (albeit, a little clunky at times) and limit the lines of the "real" players used in the film. This film should be in every serious soccer players dvd collection!

Rating:
Summary: Unusual but fantastic WWII drama not just for soccer fans
Review: Exceptional actors, exceptional director, exceptional music, and exceptional script come together to make this a uniquely satisfying film. On the surface it may seem like a ludicrous concept, but with top notch actors like Max von Sydow and Michael Caine carrying the story, and legendary director John Huston at the helm, VICTORY couldn't help but be a highly enjoyable experience. The presence of world class soccer players playing the prisoners of war doesn't hurt, either.
What was supposed to be a small-time, "friendly" match between some POWs and the German army gets blown up--thanks to Nazi propagandists--into an Olympian spectacle with the POWs playing against the German NATIONAL team in Paris! The point is to use the expertise of the German team to mercilessly obliterate the POWs on the soccer field as a symbol of German superiority.
Unfortunately for the Nazis, the POWs proved to be much more of a challenge than they expected....

Rating:
Summary: Simply Spectacular
Review: I didn't know about this movie, but I bought it based on the Amazon customers' positive reviews. This movie will NOT disappoint.

As you get closer and closer to the climax - a soccer match between a ragged bunch of POWs and an elite German national team - you already sense it's going to be something spectacular.

And then the match...the POWs down by 4 goals in front a now quiet and dejected crowd...it is at this point the movie truly lives up to its tagline..."now is the time for heroes"

Get ready for an emotional and stunning fight back.