Review of Zorba the Greek (1964) by Aoin D — 05 Dec 2007

First surprise was that it's black and white. So what? many of my favourite films are. I rented this film because I have listened to Theodorakis's theme tune a zillion times and still love it now, so why not see the film where it had its debut? So what about it? Basically it's got loads of good stuff in it.

Alan Bates for a start - gosh he was a good actor and incredibly handsome to boot. Anthony Quinn - what bloke wouldn't want to be him? Bates is the 1930s English toff who's inherited his Greek dad's lignite mine in Crete.

Quinn is Zorba - a hero of the wars with Turkey and Bulgaria, a philosopher and (he claims) a mining engineer (coincidence?). The close friendship that develops between the two is a joy to watch. The interraction of both with the locals is strained and to my mind very much like Ryan's Daughter and this is especially so with Bates doomed romance with the local (and beautiful) widow.

It's a bit slow but it takes you with it - keeping your full attention right through all the mucky stuff, the tragic stuff, the funny stuff and the heroic stuff. Despite the rough ride, by the end your heart will be singing as Zorba dances.