Zorba the Greek Overview:

Zorba the Greek (1964) was a Adventure - Drama Film directed by Mihalis Kakogiannis and produced by Anthony Quinn and Mihalis Kakogiannis.

The film was based on the novel Life and Adventures of Alexis Zorbas (Zorba the Greek) written by Nikos Kazantzakis published in 1946 (1952 Eng).

Academy Awards 1964 --- Ceremony Number 37 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorAnthony QuinnNominated
Best Supporting ActressLila KedrovaWon
Best Art DirectionVassilis FotopoulosWon
Best CinematographyWalter LassallyWon
Best DirectorMichael CacoyannisNominated
Best PictureMichael Cacoyannis, ProducerNominated
Best WritingMichael CacoyannisNominated
.

BlogHub Articles:

Zorba the Greek (1964)

By Beatrice on Jun 8, 2018 From Flickers in Time

Zorba the Greek (Alexis Zorba) Directed by Michael Cacoyannis Written by Michael Cacoyannis from a novel by Nikos Kazantzakis 1964/Greece/USA Twentieth Century Fox Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant Anthony Quinn is such an infectious life force that it is easy to forget how sad much of this movie is. Ba... Read full article


Zorba the Greek

By Alyson on Mar 20, 2010 From The Best Picture Project

While waiting for a ship to Crete, uptight Englishman, Basil, meets a strange man, Zorba, and before they know more than each other?s names, Zorba wants to go with Basil to work for him.? Like most people, Basil is hesitant to make a stranger his new business partner.? He tells Zorba that he?s rebui... Read full article


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Quotes from

Basil: I don't want any trouble.
Alexis Zorba: Life is trouble. Only death is not. To be alive is to undo your belt and *look* for trouble.


Alexis Zorba: If a woman sleeps alone, it puts a shame on all men.


Alexis Zorba: Why do the young die? Why does anybody die?
Basil: I don't know.
Alexis Zorba: What's the use of all your damn books if they can't answer that?
Basil: They tell me about the agony of men who can't answer questions like yours.
Alexis Zorba: I spit on this agony!


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Facts about

Anthony Quinn had a broken foot during filming, and thus couldn't perform the dance on the beach as scripted, which called for much leaping around. Instead, he did a slow shuffle. Director Mihalis Kakogiannis asked Anthony Quinn what the dance was, and Anthony Quinn made up a name and claimed it was traditional.
Simone Signoret was the original choice for Madame Hortense. After filming began, director Mihalis Kakogiannis realized that she wasn't what he wanted for the part and asked permission from Darryl F. Zanuck to replace her. He agreed and he proposed Bette Davis. Kakogiannis, though, had Lila Kedrova in mind. Zanuck had no idea who Kedrova was, or how she even looked, but he trusted Kakogiannis very much, so he agreed.
Alan Bates was Mihalis Kakogiannis's first choice for the part of Basil.
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Best Supporting Actress Oscar 1964






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Also directed by Mihalis Kakogiannis




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Also produced by Anthony Quinn




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