Search - Zorba the Greek on DVD

Movie Release: 1964 DVD Release: 08/03/2004 Format: DVD - Black and White,Letterbox for TV Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 22 mins Studio: 20th Century Fox Members Wishing: 11 Genres: Drama, Buddy Film, Odd Couple Film

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. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Anthony Quinn - Alexis Zorba
Alan Bates - Basil
Irene Papas - The Widow
Lila Kedrova - Mme. Hortense
Georges Foundas - Mavrandoni

Anthony Quinn's con brio performance as a life-loving Greek laborer drew appreciative audiences to this classic drama, which has been given a loving presentation on DVD for this release. Zorba the Greek has been transferred to disc in letterboxed format at the widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1, which is also enhanced for anamorphic playback on 16 x 9 monitors. The original English-language audio is presented in both a new Dolby Digital Stereo mix and the original single-channel version in Dolby Digital Mono; alternate dubbed Spanish and French tracks appear in Dolby Digital Mono, and optional subtitles in English and Spanish are included. Among the bonus materials are a commentary track from director Michael Cacoyannis, a biographical documentary on Anthony Quinn, an alternate opening sequence, a gallery of production stills, and more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide