Dec. 16, 1964 - Opening today is “Zorba the Greek,” a drama written, produced, edited, and directed by Greek Cypriot filmmaker Michael Cacoyannis.
It stars Anthony Quinn (left) as Zorba, an earthy and boisterous Cretan peasant, and Alan Bates as Basil, the buttoned-up young intellectual he befriends. The cast also includes Lila Kedrova, Irene Papas (right), and Sotiris Moustakas. The musical score was composed by Mikis Theodorakis. The film is based on the 1946 novel, “The Life and Times of Alexis Zorba,” by Nikos Kazantzakis.
It centers on Zorba and Basil’s misadventures in trying to build a lignite mine through an impoverished Cretan village, as their opposite personalities lead them into affairs and schemes that have disastrous results, culminating in the village’s evacuation by its populace. Much of the film's interactions focus on the lead characters’ views and attitudes.
The film was shot in black and white on location on the Greek island of Crete with a minimal budget of $783,000.
Support this project at patreon.com/realtime1960s
Commentaires