Zorba the Greek (1964) in Color — Starring Anthony Quinn & Alan Bates

Zorba the Greek (1964) — Buy This Classic in Color

Buy Zorba the Greek (1964), originally released as Αλέξης Ζορμπάς, now professionally restored and colorized in HD. Directed by Mihalis Kakogiannis and starring Anthony Quinn as the unforgettable Alexis Zorba, this classic film brings the sun-drenched landscapes of Crete to life in colour for the first time. Originally shot in black and white, this restored edition transforms one of cinema’s greatest celebrations of life into a vivid visual experience — described in Greek as έγχρωμο. Available now as an instant DRM-free digital download for €15.00.

Plot Summary

Basil (Alan Bates), a reserved young English writer, travels to Crete to reopen a lignite mine he has inherited from his father. On the dock at Piraeus, he encounters Alexis Zorba (Anthony Quinn), a boisterous, larger-than-life Greek peasant who persuades Basil to hire him as foreman and companion on the journey. Together they settle into a small coastal village, where Basil rents a room from Madame Hortense (Lila Kedrova), an aging former courtesan who clings to romantic memories of past admirers — naval officers from France, Italy, Russia, and England who once courted her in her youth.

As the mine project stumbles forward, Zorba pursues Madame Hortense with theatrical affection, genuinely caring for her despite her fading beauty. Meanwhile, Basil is drawn to a beautiful young Widow (Irene Papas), desired by every man in the village, but he hesitates to act on his feelings. Zorba urges him to seize life rather than merely observe it from behind books and theories. Tragedy strikes when the Widow is killed by vengeful villagers after a young suitor takes his own life over her rejection, and soon afterward Madame Hortense succumbs to pneumonia — her possessions looted by neighbours before she is even cold.

When Zorba’s ambitious timber-transport system spectacularly collapses on the mountainside, destroying any hope of mining profits, Basil might be expected to despair. Instead, he asks Zorba to teach him to dance. On the beach, the two men perform the iconic sirtaki — laughing wildly in the face of failure and loss — a scene that has become one of cinema’s most celebrated moments and a global symbol of the unquenchable Greek spirit.

Cast & Crew

• Anthony Quinn as Alexis Zorba
• Alan Bates as Basil
• Irene Papas as Widow
• Lila Kedrova as Madame Hortense
• Sotiris Moustakas as Mimithos
• Director: Mihalis Kakogiannis
• Runtime: 142 minutes
• Year: 1964
• Rating: NR
• IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
• Genre: Drama

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The original black and white cinematography by Walter Lassally won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography (Black-and-White), capturing Crete’s rugged beauty with remarkable texture and light. This professionally colorized and restored version preserves that artistry while revealing the golden beaches, azure Mediterranean waters, and sun-baked stone villages that the original monochrome could only suggest. The warm earth tones of Zorba’s peasant clothing, the Widow’s dark mourning dress, and the dusty Cretan landscape all gain powerful new emotional resonance with vivid colour.

Every frame has been restored and colorized using frame-by-frame HD processing to ensure period-accurate hues that respect the 1960s setting. Whether you are revisiting this classic film or discovering it for the first time, the colorized edition offers a transformative viewing experience that brings mid-century Greece to your screen as never before.

Buy your DRM-free digital copy today and own this restored classic forever — no subscriptions, no restrictions, just secure instant delivery to your device.

Historical Significance

Released in 1964, Zorba the Greek earned seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Anthony Quinn. Lila Kedrova won Best Supporting Actress for her heartbreaking portrayal of Madame Hortense, and Walter Lassally took Best Cinematography (Black-and-White). Mikis Theodorakis’s stirring bouzouki score became one of the most recognized pieces of film music ever composed, and the sirtaki dance — partially improvised by Quinn on set — became a global cultural phenomenon forever linked to Greek identity and the sheer love of being alive.

The film is based on the 1946 novel by Nikos Kazantzakis and remains one of the most beloved classic movies of the 1960s. Its themes of liberation, the tension between intellectual restraint and passionate living, and the raw beauty of human resilience continue to reach audiences around the world more than sixty years after its premiere.

Technical Details

• Original Format: Black and white (1964)
• Colorized: Professional frame-by-frame HD colorization
• Restored: Full digital restoration removing grain and aging damage
• Resolution: HD 720p
• File Format: MP4
• Running Time: 142 minutes
• Language: English
• Delivery: Instant download link on-screen and sent to your email upon purchase
• Price: €15.00
• License: Personal, non-commercial use

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: What makes the sirtaki at the end so iconic?
The beach sirtaki performed by Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates was partially improvised on set. It embodies Zorba’s core philosophy — that when everything falls apart, you dance. The scene has become a universal symbol of resilience and joy. In the colorized edition, the golden sand and blue Aegean waters behind the dancers make the moment even more powerful.

Q: Who was the real Zorba?
Zorba was inspired by Georgios Zorbas, a real Macedonian Greek whom author Nikos Kazantzakis befriended on Crete in the early 1900s. Their friendship and adventures together formed the basis for the 1946 novel Zorba the Greek.

Digital Download Questions

Q: Is this the original 1964 film with added color?
Yes, this is the complete, uncut original film directed by Mihalis Kakogiannis. Professional frame-by-frame colorization has been applied to the restored black and white source, preserving all original performances, dialogue, and cinematic composition.

Q: How do I receive my download after purchase?
After completing your secure payment, a download link appears immediately on the confirmation page. A backup link is also sent to your email address. No waiting — you can start watching right away.

Q: What devices can I play this on?
The MP4 file plays on any modern device, including Smart TVs, Windows and macOS computers, tablets, and iOS or Android phones. No special software needed.

Q: Is the download DRM-free?
Yes, your digital download is completely DRM-free for personal, non-commercial use. You own the file and can watch it on any of your devices without restrictions.

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• A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)