Escape to Victory is the greatest football film ever made.
Directed by John Huston in 1981 it is set in a Prisoner of War camp during the second world war. Michael Caine stars as Captain John Colby, who leads Sylvester Stallone and an all star cast of footballers including Pele, Bobby Moore, Osvaldo Ardiles,and Mike Summerbee, who agree to play a football match against some local german troops, but after the Nazi propaganda machine takes over they end up in occupied Paris playing the German National team.
If you've never heard of this film before then welcome to the Escape to Victory Web Site. "Here's To Victory"

To be updated..........
Odd But True

Elton John was offered a part in the film, but turned it down as it involved a nude scene.

At the very end of filming there was an actors strike, unfortunately there was still one very important scene to film where the players get off the train at paris. After the strike finished, the production company had to fly everyone back over to finish this final scene at great cost.

So was Escape to Victory a success when it came out in 1981, or is it justifyable to say that it flopped?
Well when first released in the UK it was up against:
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
and OUTLAND starring Sean Connery.
Escape to Victory went in at Number Four. So lets see the most successful action romp of all time, a bond flick and a Connery film. hmmmm.