'ZORBA THE GREEK' & ANTHONY QUINN!

Alan Bates, Anthony Quinn & Lila Kedrovaon on 'Zorba the Greek' (1964) poster

Legendary Mexican Actor Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca's 106th birth anniversary just happened! He became famous with his title role in film 'Zorba the Greek' which was based on a novel of same name (published in 1946) written by giant of Modern Greek Literature..Nikos Kazantzakis! And this is it's 75th anniversary year!

Novel writer Nikos Kazantzakis

Best known as Anthony Quinn worked in different genre of films made by some of the masters of world cinema..like his 'Oscar' winning role from Greek filmmaker Elia Kazan's 'Viva Zapata' (1952) and notable character from Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini's 'La Strada' (1954). After that he became popular with adventure films made by British filmmakers like Lee Thompson's 'The Guns of Navarone' (1961) & David Lean's classic 'Lawrence of Arabia' (1962).

But cinema lovers fondly knows Anthony Quinn as 'Zorba the Greek'..film which made by Greek cinema legend.. Michael Cacovannis in 1964. He himself produced, wrote screenplay, directed & edited this film! And British-Greek cinematographer Walter Lassally did the effective camera work for it. Music was also a part of this film & Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis created folk tunes nicely!

Alan Bates and Iren Papas romantic in film 'Zorba the Greek' (1964).

This film tells the story of how the life of young British writer Basil change when he meets the mysterious Greek-Macedonian peasant & musician Alexis Zorba! This strange titular character Zorba fantastically played by Anthony Quinn..and English actor Alan Bates accompanied him as an intellectual Basil. With them beautiful Greek actress-singer Iren Papas acted as attractive widowed woman and Russian-French actress Lila Kedrova played the unique role of war widow & courtesan Hortense!

Filmmaker Michael Cacovannis.

'Zorba the Greek' was a box-office hit and Anthony Quinn got critical acclaim! Apart from that a film 

won three 'Oscar' awards includes..Best Supporting Actress (Lila Kedrova), Best Art Direction (Vassilis Photopoulos) and Best Cinematography (Walter Lassally).

I still remember the scenes of this film in which.. includes Zorba & Basil's conversations about the life, sharing emotions & dancing!

Tribute to 'Zorba the Greek' & Anthony Quinn!!

- Manoj Kulkarni