Zorba the Greek1964
Zorba the Greek (1964)
Zorba the Greek Photos
Movie Info
Watch it now
Cast
as Zorba
as Basil
as The Widow
as Madame Hortense
as Mavrandoni
as Lola
as Mimithos
as Manolakas
as Pavlo
as Soul
as Pavlo
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Critic Reviews for Zorba the Greek
All Critics (7) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (1) | DVD (3)
The serious critique in Zorba attends the tragic elements in the story
A pensive film about the need to find your own truth while living life to its fullest.
Despite Cacoyannis' plodding helming, and schematic contrast between the inhibited Brit and lusty Greek, the film is enjoyable due to Anthony Quinn's performance and Theodorakis' glorious music.
Gained international acclaim for Anthony Quinn in a role many believe he was born to play and one that he's become best-remembered for.
Audience Reviews for Zorba the Greek
Zorba the Greek (1976) came out during a time when Hollywood was reaching out in all kinds of directions to release films to butts in movie theater seats. This US-Greek production stars Alan Bates as Basil, a half-Greek, half-English man who is en route to Crete to take over his now-deceased father's mine there. In transit he meets Alexis Zorba (Anthony Quinn), who is a lively good-humored man who volunteers to do work for Basil. Zorba dances in the face of adversity, and he's not afraid to lie and bend rules in order to maintain a sense of playfulness, especially in this movie's world, which just seems to be such a bummer. Troubling, however, is the way in which the women in the film get so easily cast aside or how they're viewed as means to men's lusty ends. Basil's and Zorba's world is definitely a man's world, and women have no agency here. I'm thinking here of the Widow and Madame Hortense. You'll see.
Super Reviewer
Zorba: Damn it boss, I like you too much not to say it. You've got everthing except one thing: madness! A man needs a little madness, or else... Basil: Or else? Zorba: ...he never dares cut the rope and be free. A solid film centering on two men. One playing it straight, the other a larger than life character who gives this film the right kind of energy every time he is on screen. Well made, with a great soundtrack. An aimless Englishman, Basil, played by Alan Bates, finds he has a small inheritance on the Greek island of Crete. His joyless existence is disturbed when he meets Zorba, played by Anthony Quinn, 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. Other adventures occur, including the pursuit of love for both men and the construction of crazy contraptions. Basically, Anthony Quinn owns this film. Every time he is around, I love everything that is going on. His character provides laughs, a sense of adventure, and other endearing qualities that kept me entertained. Plus he's a damn good dancer. The other actors do a solid job in the film as well. Taking place in Crete, and actually having been filmed there, this is a very good looking film as well. It certainly captures the surroundings quite well, while giving a specific portrayal of this Greek society. The other great element of this film was its score. I've heard its key tune many times before, but here it is perfectly mixed into the story. As this film mixes some more light-hearted moments with much darker dramatic material, it was great to have a Greek-themed musical vibe running throughout, which helped keep me engaged. While the film does run a bit long, it still had plenty of well accomplished elements to make it worthwhile. Basil: I don't want any trouble. Zorba: Life is trouble. Only death is not. To be alive is to undo your belt and *look* for trouble.
Super Reviewer
A much darker film than I expected it to be. Anthony Quinn's energetic and charismatic Zorba seems almost out of place amidst a cast of cowardly, vengeful, parasitic villagers who always seem to linger ominously in the background. Ultimately, Zorba the Greek is an uplifting film, but it will route you through a few valleys before it reaches the mountaintop.
Super Reviewer
Zorba the Greek Quotes
| Alexis Zorba: | You think too much, that is your trouble. Clever people and grocers, they weigh everything. |
| Basil: | An overhead cable? You're mad. |
| Alexis Zorba: | Why? |
| Basil: | That forest doesn't belong to us. |
| Alexis Zorba: | Well, it doesn't, and then it does. |
| Basil: | What does that mean? |
| Alexis Zorba: | It belong to the monastery. The monastery belongs to God, and God belongs to everybody. Do you agree? |
| Alexis Zorba: | God has a very big heart but there is one sin he will not forgive [slaps table]. |
| Alexis Zorba: | God has a very big heart but there is one sin he will not forgive. [slaps table] |
| Alexis Zorba: | If a woman calls a man to her bed and he will not go. |