About a year after Nikos Kazantzakes’s novel Zorba the Greek was translated into English and published in the U.S., the 9 Mar 1954 DV announced that Burt Lancaster was interested in adapting the work for a theatrical stage play. Articles in the 5 Jan 1955 DV and 9 Sep 1956 NYT revealed that Lancaster and his agent, Harold Hecht, held the stage and screen rights for their joint production company, Hecht-Lancaster Productions, for several years. However, a 13 Apr 1956 NYT news item announcing the company’s extended contract with United Artists (UA) made no mention of the property among their future productions.
       Two years later, a 17 Dec 1958 Var item indicated that the rights had passed to UA executive Max Youngstein. Development did not get underway for another five years, when the 3 Jul 1963 Var announced that UA had allocated funds for both production and distribution. Michael Cacoyannis agreed to direct, and was in discussions with French actress Marie Bell. While Anthony Quinn agreed to sign for the title role, the 27 Nov 1963 Var claimed Cacoyannis would continue his casting search in London, England, and Paris, France.
       On 25 Feb 1964, DV reported that UA was already satisfied with its busy production slate and agreed to pass the project on to Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp. A spokesman for UA also noted that the decision may have been influenced by Anthony Quinn’s contract, which stipulated that the actor would need to complete filming by Jun 1964 to avoid conflict with the start of his Fox film, A High Wind in Jamaica (1965, see entry).
       Principal photography began 9 Mar 1964, according to a DV production chart published four days later. A 4 Nov 1964 Var article stated that filming took place entirely on the Greek island of Crete, and estimated a total negative cost of $750,000. The 21 Apr 1965 Var cited a figure closer to $800,000.
       Shortly after shooting began, forty-three-year-old actress Simone Signoret withdrew from the role of “Madame Hortense.” While Signoret told the 26 Jul 1964 LAT that she was very impressed by the old-age makeup designed for her character, the 15 Apr 1964 DV claimed she doubted her ability to provide a satisfactory performance as an older woman. She and Cacoyannis amicably agreed to find another actress, and Lila Kedrova took her place. A 22 Apr 1964 Var news story stated Signoret did not accept payment for her brief participation.
       Several contemporary sources, including the 20 Apr 1964 LAT, suggested that Pia Lindström (daughter of actress Ingrid Bergman) had been cast in a minor role, but she did not appear in the final film.
       Mark Nichols served as the unit publicity director, and a 9 Apr 1964 DV item reported that Israeli writer and politician Yael Dayan was in charge of European press relations. A 1 Apr 1964 Var brief noted that still photographer Sam Shaw also visited the set in Crete. According to the 7 Dec 1964 LAT, composer and conductor Mikis Theodorakis was a resident of Crete and also served as a member of Greek Parliament.
       Post-production was completed in London, and a 25 Nov 1965 Var brief announced that a special press screening would be held there for American journalists on 7 Dec 1964. Back in the U.S., Fox initiated a brief engagement 16—22 Dec 1964 at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles, CA, to qualify for Academy Award consideration. A 13 Dec 1964 NYT events calendar listed a New York City opening of 17 Dec 1964, at the Sutton Theater. By spring, the 21 Apr 1965 Var speculated that the filmmakers would earn back their entire budget from New York City earnings alone. The 28 Jan 1965 LAT reported that the regular Los Angeles release was scheduled to begin the following day at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA, where it enjoyed critical and commercial popularity throughout the summer. Items in the 31 Mar 1965 Var and 7 Apr 1965 DV indicated openings in other cities such as Chicago, IL, and San Francisco, CA, in late Mar—early Apr 1965.
       On 11 Mar 1965, DV revealed the picture was selected as the U.S. entry at the Argentine Film Festival. Six days later, Var reported that Michael Cacoyannis and Anthony Quinn had been honored with medals from the Greek government during a ceremony in Paris. Zorba the Greek won three Academy Awards for Actress in a Supporting Role (Lila Kedrova), Art Direction (Black-and-White), and Cinematography (Black-and-White), and received additional nominations for Writing (Screenplay—based on material from another medium), Actor (Anthony Quinn), Directing, and Best Picture.
       In the wake of its success, a stage musical based on both the film and Kazantzakes’s novel debuted at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre on 16 Nov 1966. The adaptation was nominated for eight Tony Awards (winning one), and inspired a revival at the Broadway Theatre in 1983, with Anthony Quinn and Lila Kedrova reprising their onscreen roles. Kedrova’s rendition earned her a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.