BritsinCrete Spotlights Zorba The Greek

"Zorba the Greek" - the 1964 classic Greek movie has found a place in the hearts of the British, Irish and many others. For Grecophiles, especially it simply puts anyone in a great mood, anytime.... It is an old Greek entertainment chestnut both as a movie and through its sound tracks. Therefore no Crete website should be without it. BritsinCrete is no exception. So here we are. This page offers captivating Greek music, some classic along with some more contemporary sounds.

The Cretan Setting -- on the beach in Stavros, Chania, Crete. Let's dance, Greek style...

Zorba was Filmed in the Chania Region of Crete

The movie was shot on location on the Island of Crete specifically in the town of Chania, the Apokoronas region and the Akrotiri peninsula. The famous scene (above video), in which Quinn’s character dances the Sirtaki, was shot on the beach of the village of Stavros.
The film itself was somewhat revolutionary in its language and irreverent sense of humor, although these elements, controversial in 1964, have since become commonplace.

Zorba Wins Three Oscars
The American-financed 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.

Antony Quinn's Nomination
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.

Although Anthony Quinn had often played earthy, force-of-nature characters, his performance as the lusty Greek peasant of the title was so loved by both critics and audiences, Quinn spent much of his later career recreating it in virtually every role he played. An 'oh-by-the-way', Quinn was an artist in other senses of the word. He is also remembered for spawning an industry after his famous "Lady of Crete" Sculpture, in particular a "Lady of Crete" silver necklace hallmarked “18K” “925” “Lady of Crete”.

Sotiris Moustakas Missed An Oscar
Best Supporting Actor nomination nearly went to actor Sotiris Moustakas, but was rejected due to his limited number of movie roles. In Greece, however the actor is praised for his performance as Mimithos, the town fool.

Cast

Anthony Quinn: Alexis Zorba

Alan Bates: Basil

Irene Papas: The Widow

Lila Kedrova: Mme. Hortense

George Foundas: Mavrandoni

Eleni Anousaki: Lola

Sotiris Moustakas: Mimithos

Takis Emmanuel: Manolakas

Yorgo Voyagis: Pavlo

Anna Kyriakou: Soul

Credits

Michael Cacoyannis: Director

Michael Cacoyannis: Writer - based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis

Nikos Kazantzakis: Source

Michael Cacoyannis: Producer

Anthony Quinn: Assoc. Producer

Walter Lassally: Cinematographer

Michael Cacoyannis: Editor

Mikis Theodorakis: Musical Composer

Vassele Fotopoulos: Art Director

Anna Stavropoulou: Costumes

Mikis Theodorakis: Music Director

Monique Archambault: Make Up

BritsinCrete Playlist
Listen to more vintage Zorba the Greek plus a total of 3 hours in a sunshine and uplifting selection of more Greek and Cretan tracks on love and life; some from Crete, plus you'll hear Greece's current superstar Sakis (Sakis Rouvas), Sir James Galway and others. You can click on the pop out playlist button on the Playlist Console, you can then continue listening to the music while you look around this website and longer! In any event you can choose the tracks you wish to hear. They will otherwise play one by one in order, automatically once you start to play any track.

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