Zorba the Greek

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See also Zorba the Greek (novel) and Zorba (musical).

Zorba the Greek
original movie poster
Directed by	Michael Cacoyannis
Produced by	Michael Cacoyannis Anthony Quinn
Written by	Michael Cacoyannis, Nikos Kazantzakis (Novel)
Starring	Anthony Quinn Alan Bates Irene Papas Lila Kedrova Sotiris Moustakas Anna Kyriakou
Music by	Mikis Theodorakis
Release date(s)	1964
Running time	142 min.
Language	English, Greek
IMDb profile

Zorba the Greek (originally titled Alexis Zorbas) is a 1964 film based on the novel Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis. The film was directed by Michael Cacoyannis and the title character was played by Anthony Quinn–who was not Greek but in fact Mexican American. The supporting cast included Alan Bates as a visiting Englishman. The theme, "Sirtaki" by Mikis Theodorakis, is famous.

The movie was shot on location on the Greek island of Crete. Specific places featured include the town of Chania, the Apokoronas region and the Akrotiri peninsula. The famous scene, in which Quinn's character dances the Sirtaki, was shot on the beach of the village of Stavros.

The movie won three Academy Awards. Lila Kedrova won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, Vassilis Fotopoulos won the Oscar for Best Art Direction in black-and-white set decoration, and Walter Lassally won the Oscar for Best Cinematography in black-and-white. Lassally's Oscar is shown in Tavern Christiana in Stavros.

Quinn received the nomination for Best Leading Actor in a leading role and Michael Cacoyannis received three nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Writing, and Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.

[edit] Related works

A short film about a man who believes he is Zorba the Greek was made in Scotland in 1999, named Billy and Zorba.
A musical version of the film was made in 1968 named Zorba.

[edit] See also

"Zorbas," the theme song of the movie by Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis
Alexis Zorbas, ballet by Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis written in 1988, and premiered in Arena di Verona in Verona, Italy