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    Zorba the Greek

    Original title: Alexis Zorbas
    • 19641964
    • Not RatedNot Rated
    • 2h 22min
    IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    21K
    YOUR RATING
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Alexis Zorbas (1964)
    Trailer for this classic Academy Award winning drama
    Play trailer3:21
    2 Videos
    76 Photos
    ComedyDrama

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

    IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    21K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Cacoyannis
    • Writers
      • Nikos Kazantzakis(from the novel "The Life and Times of Alexis Zorba")
      • Michael Cacoyannis(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Anthony Quinn
      • Alan Bates
      • Irene Papas
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Michael Cacoyannis
    • Writers
      • Nikos Kazantzakis(from the novel "The Life and Times of Alexis Zorba")
      • Michael Cacoyannis(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Anthony Quinn
      • Alan Bates
      • Irene Papas
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 93User reviews
    • 40Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Won 3 Oscars
      • 8 wins & 16 nominations total

    Videos2

    Zorba the Greek
    Trailer 3:21
    Zorba the Greek
    Zorba the Greek
    Trailer 6:08
    Zorba the Greek

    Photos76

    "Zorba The Greek" Anthony Quinn 1964 / 20th Century Fox
    Alexis Zorbas (1964)
    Anthony Quinn and Lila Kedrova in Alexis Zorbas (1964)
    Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates in Alexis Zorbas (1964)
    Alexis Zorbas (1964)
    Alan Bates and Irene Papas in Alexis Zorbas (1964)
    Alexis Zorbas (1964)
    Alexis Zorbas (1964)
    Giorgos Foundas and Irene Papas in Alexis Zorbas (1964)
    Giorgos Foundas and Yorgo Voyagis in Alexis Zorbas (1964)
    Alexis Zorbas (1964)
    Alexis Zorbas (1964)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Anthony Quinn
    Anthony Quinn
    • Alexis Zorbaas Alexis Zorba
    Alan Bates
    Alan Bates
    • Basilas Basil
    Irene Papas
    Irene Papas
    • Widowas Widow
    Lila Kedrova
    Lila Kedrova
    • Madame Hortenseas Madame Hortense
    Giorgos Foundas
    Giorgos Foundas
    • Mavrandonias Mavrandoni
    • (as George Foundas)
    Sotiris Moustakas
    Sotiris Moustakas
    • Mimithosas Mimithos
    Anna Kyriakou
    Anna Kyriakou
    • Soulas Soul
    Eleni Anousaki
    Eleni Anousaki
    • Lolaas Lola
    Yorgo Voyagis
    Yorgo Voyagis
    • Pavloas Pavlo
    • (as George Voyadjis)
    Takis Emmanuel
    Takis Emmanuel
    • Manolakasas Manolakas
    George P. Cosmatos
    George P. Cosmatos
    • Acne Faced Boyas Acne Faced Boy
    • (uncredited)
    Nikos Papadakis
    • Extraas Extra
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Michael Cacoyannis
    • Writers
      • Nikos Kazantzakis(from the novel "The Life and Times of Alexis Zorba")
      • Michael Cacoyannis(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

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    Storyline

    Edit
    An aimless English writer finds he has a small inheritance on a Greek island. His joyless existence is disturbed when he meets Zorba, a middle aged Greek with a real lust for life. As he discovers the earthy pleasures of Greece, the Englishman finds his view on life changing. —John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
    writergreecesirtakiriding a donkeysong and dance162 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Anthony Quinn plays Zorba. NO - Anthony Quinn IS Zorba!
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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 reviews93

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    A magnificent movie
    Anthony Quinn's performance is phenomenal. In a world filled with ignorance, lack of vision, hate, and the most shameful examples of human depravity, Zorba provides beautifully imperfect goodness. There is no pretense about who Zorba is. Despite his imperfections (and there are so many), he is genuine love, kindness and passion. The scene where Zorba remains by his dying wife's (Madame Hortense) side is pure and sweet and extremely moving. While the greedy masses, like vultures, swoop in to steal any possible item from this woman's home, Zorba provides profound comfort, while most others would have reacted differently. I can't believe it took me 40 years to see this movie. Gracias, Señor Quinn!
    helpful•37
    11
    • brownbuffalo-1
    • Dec 8, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 14, 1964 (Greece)
    • Countries of origin
      • Greece
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Greek
    • Also known as
      • Alexis Sorbas
    • Filming locations
      • Chania, Crete, Greece
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $783,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 22min
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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