Director: Michael Cacoyannis
Writer: Michael Cacoyannis (Screenplay) Nikos Kazantzakis (Novel)
Starring: Anthony Quinn, Alan Bates, Irene Papas, Lila Kedrova, Giorgos Foundas, Sotiris Moustakas
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.
Runtime: 2 Hours 22 Minutes
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Classic That Hasn’t Dated Well
Story: Zorba the Greek starts when uptight English writer Basel (Bates) heads to Crete, on his journey he meets Alexis Zorba (Quinn) who shows him the sites around the island using his social skills which makes him on of the most welcoming people Basil will ever meet.
As the two become friends we learn how Zorba has his lady Madame Hortense (Kedrova) waiting for him and he pushes Basil to follow the sparks he has with the Widow (Papas of the town, life lesson will be taught here for both of the men.
Thoughts on Zorba the Greek
Characters – Alexis Zorba is the Greek that knows everyone, gets on with everyone and is a pleasant guy with a haunted past. He takes Basil under his wing in Crete showing him how to come out of his shell. Basil is the English writer that travels to Crete to focus on his next book, he is uptight until Zorba starts showing him where the real stories in life can come from. We have two different lonely women, one a widow and one that has had her heart broken too often they become the objects of their affections.
Performances – The performances from the main cast are good throughout with the heavyweights of Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates showing their talents in the leading roles.
Story – The story shows us how an Englishman visits a new country and starts living his life to the fullest after meeting a stranger with a lust for life, this does the traditional new world, new way of life ideas which Basil must go through, but otherwise this story is way too long without much happening or make too much sense. I found myself stopping this movie a lot because nothing was happening and it just became a dated classic for storytelling.
Comedy – This is meant to be some sort of comedy, I guess I missed the funniest moments?
Settings – The film is set in Crete which does help Basil see a new style of life and it does look lovely.
Scene of the Movie – First meeting.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Not understand the gang mentality here.
Final Thoughts – This is one of the film that won big at the Oscars, but the truth is that it just doesn’t pull you in as much as it once did near its release.
Overall: Not one I enjoyed.
Rating
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