podcast

Escape to Victory: The Cult Classic with Pele, Bobby Moore and Sylvester Stallone | Christmas Special

23.12.2025
Listen to the episode on your favorite platforms:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Castbox
  • Pocket Casts
  • Overcast
  • Castro
  • RadioPublic

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In this Christmas Special Episode, co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper are joined by author John Smith to talk about his new book - 'Escape: A Love Letter to a Cult Football Classic' all about the film 'Escape to Victory'. The trio delve into the making of the film, revealing behind-the-scenes stories, discussing the film's historical context, and analysing the football sequences. We take a look at inside stories from the remarkable cast and crew, including Pele and Sylvester Stallone. The three discuss amusing anecdotes, the authenticity of the football matches and the film's lasting impact. This episode is a must-listen for fans of film and football history. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas from the It Was What It Was team!


 Introduction and Welcoming John Smith

 The Making of 'Escape to Victory'

 Historical Resonances and Themes

 Behind the Scenes Stories

 The Escape Plan in the Film

 The Cast and Their Connections

 The Missing Footballer Mystery

 Lack of Female Characters

 The Football Game Analysis

 The Half-Time Escape Plan

 The Final Match Moments

 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.