Portman Road will host a screening of Escape to Victory, the 1981 film featuring John Wark, Kevin Beattie, Russell Osman, Kevin O’Callaghan, Paul Cooper, Laurie Sivell and Robin Turner in addition to Pele, Bobby Moore, Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine, on Saturday 21st May* to celebrate its 35th anniversary.

Town are collaborating with Pop Up Pictures to show the movie, which was directed by John Huston.

Standard tickets are priced at £10 each and will be available online only from 10am on Monday 25th April via either Pop Up Pictures or ITFC Direct.

There will also be an opportunity for Town supporters to attend a VIP dinner before the screening where a number of the Blues legends who were in the film will talk about life rubbing shoulders with Pele, Stallone, Moore and Caine.

Individual places or tables of 10 can be booked by calling (01473) 400594 or emailing sales@itfc.co.uk.

This year also marks the 35th anniversary of Town’s UEFA Cup triumph and highlights of the final victory over AZ 67 Alkmaar will be also shown.

“We are delighted to be hosting such a unique event. It’s such an iconic film and the club is proud that so many of the ITFC legends played a part in it,” Town’s director of sales Rosie Richardson told the club site.

“The VIP dinner will be something very special and with standard tickets priced at only £10, there is something for everyone.”

Danny Banthorpe from Pop Up Pictures added: “It is fantastic for us to present what we believe is the first outdoor film screening in a sports stadium in the UK.

"The opportunity to work closely with a great club like Ipswich Town and it coinciding with the anniversary of Escape to Victory means we can provide football fans and film lovers with what will be a fantastic evening.”

Wark, Osman and O’Callaghan had speaking roles, while Beattie was Caine’s double and Cooper was Stallone’s stand-in. Sivell and Turner were members of the German team.

As well as Pele and Moore, amongst the other non-Town players involved were Tottenham’s Osvaldo Ardiles, Manchester City’s Kazimierz Deyna, former Maine Road favourite Mike Summerbee, ex-Belgian international Paul Van Himst and Norway’s Hallvar Thoresen.

Photo: Action Images

Bostonblue added 17:40 - Apr 22 35 years!!! I remember going to watch it at the cinema & didn't realise it was that long ago :(
1

marcusevans added 18:42 - Apr 22 Those Were The Days
3

Sporall added 18:46 - Apr 22 Great idea, wish I could be there.
2

midastouch added 19:05 - Apr 22 They should do a remake. Mick could do the casting and get ExSkuse and Douglas to play the main parts. They could rebrand it Escape to Obscurity.
4

GeoffSentence added 19:28 - Apr 22 Some interesting facts about Escape to Victory 1. Since it was first filmed it has been shown on at least 1 tv channel somewhere in the world on more days than it hasn't 2. It was famously funded as a tax dodge 3. It's cr@p.
0

EuanTown added 21:54 - Apr 22 Ten quid no thanks I paid a fiver for the DVD for when it is not on telly
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manualthetisfanclub added 22:34 - Apr 22 "I'll take the top bunk" says Glaswegian ITFC legend Johnny Walk. Crap film but a classic all the same!
1

flashblue added 23:08 - Apr 22 I expect a 0-0 draw.
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Colin_Viljoen added 08:39 - Apr 23 I remember going to the first game of the season & wondering what the hell happened to Osman's & Warky's hair as everybody had long hair in those days!!
1

statto added 10:08 - Apr 23 Would love to make it! My pub quiz team are named Escape to Victory - we do it justice by winning more often than not - tip of the hat to ITFC!! Have a great night.
1

cats_whiskers added 11:53 - Apr 23 I for one won't be attempting to 'Tunnel' my way into the ground The football on the pitch these days is more like a scene from 'Allo 'Allo
1

GavITFC added 13:01 - Apr 23 At least we'll be entertained for 90 minutes... that'll make a refreshing change
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