Zorba the Greek (1964)

A innocent Widow gets her throat cut and........

and none of the pathetic townspeople think to call the Police. OK-------This is NOT an uplifting film. It's actually quite depressing, I was surprised how bad Zorba was. Quinn is quite good as the title character, but to me it is rather a bizarre, bad film. July 9, 2008

Zorba the Greek Revisited

Through Amazon, this wonderful old film was brought back to life for me by way of modern technology. This meant the quality of the film was excellent which added just that much more to the enjoyment of this very moving story - without doubt, one of our film classics.
It also meant that I was able to show it to friends who had not seen the film at the time of its release and so share the enjoyment that I first had many years ago.
We take modern technology so much for granted in this modern era, but when you consider I was able to purchase this film on CD for only a little over $20, it is truly remarkable.
Keep going Amazon. You are carrying out a great service through your business. April 1, 2008

Probably the greatest film of all time

This wonderful film has never become dated. It is a catalogue of superlatives -- an outstanding film score (and indeed soundtrack), an outstanding cast (Alan Bates and Irene Papas were probably the two most beautiful people in the world at that time and Anthony Quinn was certainly the most charismatic actor), a stunning screenplay by Michael Cacoyannis, extraordinary sets and settings, superb photography and above all, a vivid sense of the pathetic and the ridiculous make this a film that you should watch. You won't regret it.

The film has a few flaws. The cinema is a medium in which dozens of characters can gleam and live for a few minutes or seconds at a time, as Fellini showed us. Despite the profound human intimacy achieved among the principal characters, the lives of the islanders are not penetrated and their depiction as cruel, rapacious and ignorant can hardly have been atoned for by Cacoyannis's dedication of the movie "to the people of Crete." As in an ancient Greek drama, the cast is starkly divided into chorus and a handful of characters. More could have been achieved.

All in all, however, this was a dazzling moment in which Quinn, Cacoyannis, Bates, Papas, Kedrova, Theodorakis and others reached the apotheosis of their careers.

None of these great artists ever surpassed this glorious performance.

Highly recommended. December 27, 2007

Wonderful movie!

I was amazed by the quality of this movie! It is quite old and I was not expecting such a perfect dvd. September 26, 2007

A True Classic

The Film was excellent. There are two types of people who watch this film Greeks and everybody else who after watching this film wish they were Greek. I highly recommende this film to everybody and I'm not just saying this because I'm Greek. Great Cast, Great Location, Great Plot.
YASAS! July 12, 2007

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