Cacoyannis, Michael

Zorba the Greek

If you think Zorba the Greek is a simple-minded homage to a man with a zest for life, then you haven't seen the movie. Basil (Alan Bates), a reticent British writer, comes to the Mediterranean island of Crete to revive a mine his father owned. On the way, he meets a Greek roustabout named Zorba (Anthony Quinn) and hires him to help, little suspecting that Zorba's exuberance will lead him to some dark and troubling places--frankly, if the last 30 minutes of Zorba the Greek are what it means to embrace life, some viewers will want to shut the door in life's face. But there's no denying the movie's ambitious scope and implacable force, even as it paints an alien and disturbing portrait of life in a Greek village. On top of that, gorgeous cinematography and one of the greatest film scores ever give this movie almost demonic energy. --Bret Fetzer

On the Greek isle of Crete, Basil (Alan Bates), a shy inhibited writer from England is befriended by Zorba (Anthony Quinn) a boisterous peasant with an astonishing love for life. When Zorba agrees to work at Basil's abandoned mine, it is the beginning of a lesson for the young man as he gradually moves from an observer of the world to a participant. This acclaimed classic co-stars Irene Paps and Lila Kedrova in an Oscar winning performance. "An utterly absorbing and sharply memorable film" (The Hollywood Reporter)

Iphigenia (MGM World Films)

A timeless classic of Greek tragedy is brought vividly to life in the Oscar-nominated Iphigenia, an engrossing and lavish adaptation of Euripides' play Iphigenia in Aulis. Director Michael Cacoyannis (Zorba the Greek) had previously adapted Euripides with his acclaimed 1962 version of Electra and 1972's The Trojan Women, but this 1977 production is widely regarded as the director's finest adaptation. In some respects the film is almost too ambitious; although generally well-received by critics and highly praised by literary scholars, its epic scale and larger-than-life performances threaten to diminish the story's emotional impact. For the most part, however, Cacoyannis succeeds in building palpable tension in retelling the gut-wrenching story of commander Agamemnon (played with theatrical grandiosity by Costa Kazakos), who is preparing to launch his legendary fleet of 1,000 army ships to retrieve the beautiful Helen of Troy. But the wind refuses to blow in the sails of the fleet, and Agamemnon is fatefully convinced that military victory can only be achieved if he sacrifices his daughter Iphigenia (Tatiana Papamoskou) to the gods. Faced with her husband's deception and betrayal, Clytemnestra (Irene Pappas) responds with vengeful wrath, and Iphigenia reaches a fever pitch of clashing agendas and devastating turmoil. Cacoyannis remains faithful to Euripides while making some smart decisions of adaptation; there's no need here for the theatrical tradition of a Greek chorus, and the play's tragic impact is greatly enhanced by epic-scale visuals and the fierce performance of Pappas in one of the best roles of her career. And while Iphigenia may lack the opulence of later epics like Troy and Kingdom of Heaven, it still ranks among the most impressive efforts to bring Greek tragedy to the screen. --Jeff Shannon

Electra

From "one of the world's most talented filmmakers" (Los Angeles Times) comes this riveting, OscarÂ(r)-nominated* retelling of Euripides' searing classic. Written, produced and directedby Michael Cacoyannis (Stella, Zorba the Greek), and starring legendary Greek beauty Irene Papas (The Trojan Women), Electra is "majestic and awesome" (The New York Times)"a truly powerful and visually impressive picture" (Boxoffice). Desolationand despair reign supreme in the kingdom of Mycenae: The great Agamemnon has been brutally murdered; his son, Orestes, has fled to an unknown land; and his daughter Electra has been imprisoned withinthe very walls of the castle she once loved so well. All hope seems lost until the sacred oracle speaks and replaces Electra's broken spirit with an unquenchable desire for justiceand bloody vengeance! *1962: Foreign Language Film

The Trojan Women

The Cherry Orchard

A Matter of Dignity

The Story of Jacob and Joseph

Stella

A Girl in Black

Attila '74 - The Rape of Cyprus