Zorba the Greek

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Zorba the Greek is a film from 1964 based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis.Anthony Quinn played the title role and this became arguably his most famous part.

Direction was by Michael Cacoyannis and Alan Bates played the young Englishman.The film was shot in Crete and is based around the small village of Chania.

The film plot was fairly straightforward with Bates meeting Quinn whilst travelling to Crete. They form a strong friendship and it is over the days and weeks ahead that Quinn displays his joie de vivre and shows Bates many valuable lessons which will stay with him all his life.

The music score was a tremendous hit with the theme song, Sirtaki, being memorable.

Artistically the film was well received with:-

Lila Kedrova winning best supporting actress.
As well as OScars for best cinematography and best set direction.
Quinn received a nomination for best actor.
There were also nominations for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Writing.

The film has achieved some immortality with its contributions to popular culture.

In the book the yound Englishman, played by Bates, is instead a young Greek looking to reopen a Lignite mine on Crete.Zorba is described in much more depth with phrases such as

“a living heart, a large voracious mouth, a great brute soul, not yet severed from mother earth.”

And this quote on Zorba’s philosophy.

How simple a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. All that is required to feel that here and now is happiness is a simple heart.

And then there is this well known conversation about food and Hunger:

“We must both have been hungry because we constantly led the conversation round to food.

– “What is your favorite dish, grandad?” — “All of them, my son. It’s a great sin to say this is good and that is bad.” — “Why? Can’t we make a choice?” — “No, of course we can’t.” — “Why not?” — “Because there are people who are hungry.” I was silent, ashamed. My heart had never been able to reach that height of nobility and compassion.”