Zorba the Greek

Original title: Alexis Zorbas

1964
PG
2h 22m

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

25K

YOUR RATING

Trailer for this classic Academy Award winning drama

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2 Videos

82 Photos

Comedy Drama

A reserved English writer travelling to Crete on a matter of business finds his life changed forever when he meets the gregarious Alexis Zorba.A reserved English writer travelling to Crete on a matter of business finds his life changed forever when he meets the gregarious Alexis Zorba.A reserved English writer travelling to Crete on a matter of business finds his life changed forever when he meets the gregarious Alexis Zorba.

Director
- Michael Cacoyannis
Writers
- Nikos Kazantzakis
- Michael Cacoyannis
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

25K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Michael Cacoyannis
Writers
- Nikos Kazantzakis
- Michael Cacoyannis
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 3 Oscars
- 8 wins & 16 nominations total

Mavrandoni
(as George Foundas)

Sotiris Moustakas

Mimithos

Anna Kyriakou

Soul

Eleni Anousaki

Lola

Yorgo Voyagis

Pavlo
(as George Voyadjis)

Takis Emmanuel

Manolakas

George P. Cosmatos

Acne Faced Boy
(uncredited)

Nikos Papadakis

Extra
(uncredited)

Director
- Michael Cacoyannis
Writers
- Nikos Kazantzakis
- Michael Cacoyannis
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Anthony Quinn (Alexis Zorba) had a broken foot during filming, and thus couldn't perform the dance on the beach as scripted, which called for much leaping around. The dance is called "syrtaki", and contains elements from various traditional Greek dances. It was created especially for this movie.

Goofs
Near the end of the movie, when the log is coming down the hill it is seen as fairly round and the bark is rough and peeling, like a natural log. But when the log gets to the end of the cable, it appears to be a fake log with no bark and a visible framework that makes it look multi-sided rather than round.

Quotes
Basil: I don't want any trouble.
Alexis Zorba: Life is trouble. Only death is not. To be alive is to undo your belt and *look* for trouble.

Connections
Featured in V.I.P.-Schaukel: Episode #3.2 (1973)

Soundtracks
Riri Ririka
from the operetta "Our Ririka" (1929) (uncredited)
Written by Stathis Mastoras
Performed by Madame Hortense (Lila Kedrova)

User reviews107

Featured review

9/10

A Greek Poem Of Love And Frienship

Anthony Quinn's Zorba became a point of reference, in fact I'm writing this review 54 years after its first release. He is everything and more. Alan Bates is outstanding walking that very thin line but totally committed to that duality that makes him so human, so real. Lila Kedrova won an Oscar for her performance, deservedly so. Simone Signoret had been offered the part and she was the one who suggested Lila Kedrova to the director, Michael Cacoyanis. I love that story. Zorba has also the power of Irene Papas who makes her silent calling absolutely riveting and the contagious Mikis Theodorakis's score all together in a beautiful, savage, compelling film that doesn't show any signs of aging