Alexis Zorbas (1964)

Director:

Mihalis Kakogiannis

Writers:

Nikos Kazantzakis (novel)
Mihalis Kakogiannis (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 December 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

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.

Plot Keywords:

Greek Orthodox | Throwing Rock | Book | Greece | Orthodox

Awards:

Won 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 16 nominations

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)
George P. Cosmatos	...	Acne Faced Boy (uncredited)

Directed by
Mihalis Kakogiannis		(as Michael Cacoyannis)

Writing credits
Nikos Kazantzakis		(novel)
Mihalis Kakogiannis		(screenplay) (as Michael Cacoyannis)

Produced by
Mihalis Kakogiannis	....	producer (as Michael Cacoyannis)
Anthony Quinn	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Mikis Theodorakis

Cinematography by
Walter Lassally		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Mihalis Kakogiannis		(uncredited)

Art Direction by
Vassilis Photopoulos

Makeup Department
Alex Archambault	....	hair stylist
Monique Archambault	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Yannis Petropoulakis	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Franco Cirino	....	first assistant director
George P. Cosmatos	....	assistant director (as George Cosmatos)
Panagis Roussos	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Mikes Damalas	....	sound

Camera and Electrical Department
George Antonakis	....	assistant camera

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Anna Stavropoulou	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Johnny Dwyre	....	assistant editor

Other crew
May Capsaski	....	continuity
Vassilis Mariolis	....	location manager
Anis Nohra	....	production coordinator: International Film Service, Rome

Production Companies

• Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Distributors

• International Classics (1964) (USA) (theatrical)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Finos Film  technical facilities

Also Known As:

Zorba the Greek (USA)
Zorbas o Ellinas (Greece) (video title)

Runtime:

142 min

Country:

USA | UK | Greece

Language:

English | Greek

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | 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:

Crete, Greece

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Cameo: [George P. Cosmatos]the disgruntled boy who writes down the illiterate Zorba's thoughts for him.

Quotes:

Madame Hortense: I too fought breasts to breasts.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Kapou se xero: (#1.12)" (2001)

Excellent film

This seems to be the best part of Anthony Quinn ever. The exuberance of Zorba, the character's capacity of seeing only the bright side of life and of transferring this optimistic attitude to the others and the metaphor of dance on the deserted beach, after the failure - some of the things that make a masterpiece of this movie. Also, actors like Irene Papas and Alan Bates play their parts with great professionalism, creating strong characters and giving them a real authenticity. This film is a must-see for all those who think defeats are only simple obstacles that we all have to pass beyond by smiling and, why not, dancing in the sun.