Review of Zorba the Greek (1964) by Jonathan I — 25 Aug 2017

Truly one of my favorie films of all time. Anthony Quinn as Zorba is absolutely superb. And, the rest of the cast rings true in each scene. I never tire of watching this honest, raw film because each character as well as the townspeople engross me in the stoy --- from start to finish of the film.

Throughout the journey, Zorba tells Basil (played perfectly by Alan Bates) his life's philosophy as he himself has lived it --- clearly, to the fullest. Whereas, Basil, the squeamish, uptght, overly shy Anglo-Greek visitor to Crete, is repeatedly stunned by the seemilgly backward, often unkind actions of the townspeople. Basil has in tow a few hundred books he has read on philosophy and other learned subjects, which seem to be of little use to him in living in the "real" world. This truth is pointed out on several occasions by Zorba -- In a kind but firm manner.

It is a wonderful film in so many ways as it doesn't place blame or kudos on anyone for the simple matter that we are all humas. We are both generous yet deeply affected by the culture we are born to. Zorba seems the most likely to never sit in judgment of those around him.

Or himself for the frailty of humanity.

My favorite line in the film is when Basil asks Zorba if he is married. Zorba replies, "Am I not a man? And, does not a man marry? I have a wife, children and a house! The FULL CATASTROPHE!!".