Zorba the Greek

An English writer named Basil arrives on the isle of Crete in the hopes of realigning his values and outlook on life. He is “adopted” by the flamboyant Zorba, who decides to educate Basil in the ways of the world. Eventually, Zorba convinces Basil that failure is an inescapable part of life, and that only by constantly tasting defeat can one truly enjoy life’s victories., If ever there was a role that Anthony Quinn was born to play, it was the lusty, life-affirming title character in Zorba the Greek. The scene is the isle of Crete, where English writer Alan Bates arrives in the hopes of realigning his own values and outlook on life. He is “adopted” by the flamboyant Zorba, who determines to educate Bates in the ways of the world-or, to be more precise, Zorba’s world. Along the way, Bates is introduced to widow Irene Papas, the unrequited love object of everyone on the island, who comes to a tragic end when she is accused of adultery. The writer is also a spectator to the equally benighted romance between Zorba and venerable courtesan Lila Kedrova. Other disasters follow, but Zorba is able to convince Bates that failure is an inescapable part of life, and that only by constantly tasting defeat can one truly enjoy life’s victories. Based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis, Zorba the Greek earned Oscars for actress Lila Kedrova, cinematographer Walter Lassally and art director Vassilis Fotopoulos., A lovely, life-affirming Oscar-winning tale of a young British writer who struggles with writer’s block on a small Greek island and comes to befriend friendly, ageing peasant Zorba., A lovely, life-affirming Oscar-winning tale of a young British writer – played by Alan Bates – who, while struggling with writer’s block on a small Greek island, comes to befriend the friendly, ageing peasant Zorba. Their adventures together introduce the visitor to a whole new way of life., An English writer named Basil arrives on the isle of Crete in the hopes of realigning his values and outlook on life. He is “adopted” by the flamboyant Zorba, who decides to educate Basil in the ways of the world., Oscar winning drama with an uptight writer embarking on a life-changing adventure with Alexis Zorba, the gregarious musician he meets on a business trip to Greece.