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IMDb > Alexis Zorbas (1964)
Alexis Zorbas
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Alexis Zorbas (1964) More at IMDbPro »

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Alexis Zorbas (1964) -- Open-ended Trailer from 20th Century Fox

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Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   5,339 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 10% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Nikos Kazantzakis (novel)
Mihalis Kakogiannis (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Zorba the Greek on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 December 1964 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Life. Lust. Love. Zorba.
Plot:
An uptight English writer traveling to Crete on a matter of business finds his life changed forever when he meets the gregarious Alexis Zorba. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 16 nominations more
User Comments:
Alexis and Basil more (48 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Anthony Quinn ... Alexis Zorba

Alan Bates ... Basil
Irene Papas ... Widow
Lila Kedrova ... Madame Hortense
Sotiris Moustakas ... Mimithos
Anna Kyriakou ... Soul
Eleni Anousaki ... Lola
Yorgo Voyagis ... Pavlo (as George Voyadjis)
Takis Emmanuel ... Manolakas
Giorgos Foundas ... Mavrandoni (as George Foundas)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Pia Lindström ... Peasant Girl (scenes deleted)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Zorba the Greek (Philippines: English title) (USA)
Alexis Zorbas (Greece)
Zorbas o Ellinas (Greece) (video title)
more
Runtime:
142 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:12 | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M (alternate rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:Unrated | UK:PG (video rating) | UK:X (original rating)
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The original Broadway production of "Zorba" opened at the Imperial Theater in New York on November 16, 1968, ran for 305 performances and was nominated for the 1969 Tony Award for the Best Musical. Anthony Quinn and Lila Kedrova who starred together in this movie version appeared in the revival of Zorba in 1982-3 with Lila Kedrova winning the 1984 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. "Zorba" was nominated for the 1969 Tony Award (New York City) for the Best Musical. more
Quotes:
Alexis Zorba: What kind of man are you, don't you even like dolphins? more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
24 out of 29 people found the following comment useful.
Alexis and Basil, 24 April 2006
8/10
Author: jotix100 from New York

Nikos Kazantzakis' novels lend themselves to cinematic treatment. Jules Dassin made a great adaptation of "He Who Must Die", and Michael Cacoyannis was equally successful in bringing "Alexis Zorbas" to the screen. Watching this film for a second time puts into perspective a lot of things that escape many a viewer the first time around.

Michael Cacoyannis changed the order of events in the book, as well as Nikos, who he transforms into Basil, the Englishman. The changes are not without merit since all the elements contribute to blend well together in the finished product. The director was fortunate to find such collaborators as Mikis Theodorakis, the genial composer of the music score and Walter Lassally, who photographed the barren area where most of the action takes place. Viewing the film on cable recently, shows Lassally's crisp black and white photography in mint condition.

The film is totally dominated by Zorba, who is a figure larger than life, as he takes Basil under his wing from the start. Anthony Quinn was a perfect choice for playing the title character. Mr. Quinn had worked with other brilliant directors, Federico Fellini, being one of them. It's almost impossible to think of Mr. Quinn as being an American because the magnificent transformation he undergoes here to portray Zorba.

Alan Bates, who is seen as Basil, the Englishman of Greek descent, who is going to Crete to see the family's land and mine. By underplaying Basil, Mr. Bates set the right tone, in sharp contrast with Anthony Quinn's exuberance. Alan Bates, in the end, made perfect sense with the way he played Basil.

Lila Kedrova is another surprise in the film. She is the tragic Madame Hortense, who has lived in the island for quite a while. It's ironic that love always eluded her until she finds in Zorba a reason for keep on living. Irene Papas is equally intense as the widow who is haunted by all the men in town. She has little to say, but just a look from her smolders the screen, be it, for the lust she felt for Basil, or the hatred for the town male population.

Michael Cacoyannis uses these men, as a sort of Greek Chorus, so important in Greek tragedies. The same could be said of the older women of the town who resent the arrivals of strangers. The Greek cast one sees is quite effective in the context of the movie.

"Alexis Zorbas", or "Zorba, the Greek", is a film that will stay with the viewer for quite a while because of what the director accomplished with it.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Alexis Zorbas (1964)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The subplot with Irene Papas, the widow (Spoilers) Alwood
Why no Best Score Oscar nom? mel2000
Madam Hortense ( Lila Kedrova ) was only 46 when she acted in this movie mira943
Remake Zorba the Greek? Kathy-70
Could James Dean have played the part of Basil? beatle1909
Extremely Disappointing *Spoiler* artoor2002
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