Marvellously emotive and perfectly cast film version of Nikos Kazantzakis's novel about the salt-of-the-earth peasant who teaches an uptight Englishman the secret of life. As Zorba, Anthony Quinn plays the part of a lifetime, so much so that the role greatly impinged on the actor both in real life and in all his movies ever since. Also adding to the film's particular and unusual grace are wonderful Oscar-winning black-and-white photography by Walter Lassally, a haunting Mikis Theodorakis score - since responsible for a zillion pieces of smashed crockery in Greek restaurants worldwide - and a glowingly warm portrayal (also Oscar-rewarded) by Lila Kedrova as an aged prostitute. It's a shade too long for its own good, though.

An uptight English writer traveling to Crete on a matter of business finds his life changed forever when he meets the gregarious Alexis Zorba.