MovieChat Forums > Alexis Zorbas (1964) Discussion > Could James Dean have played the part o...

Could James Dean have played the part of Basil?

posted 17 years ago by beatle1909
8 replies | jump to latest

And while i am on the topic, someone colorize this film, no need for a remake!

[–] somf 16 years ago

He could have, but they would probably have to change the title to "Bernie the Greek" and he would have stunk up the set and been unable to deliver his lines. But he would have probably done it for free. If they do a remake I hope they use Anthony Quinn again and call it "Weekend At Zorba's". You just gave me the idea with the James Dean thing.

[–] HenryCW 15 years ago

I think both of you did not check the "availability" of the actors. James Dean died in 1955 and could not have played Basil in 1964 even if he wanted to. As for a remake, Anthony Quinn died in 2001 and Zorba was not meant to be almost 90 anyway.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] dgross-3 14 years ago

My opinion is that James Dean could not effectively have portrayed a shy, hedging, inhibited British almost-twerp (whereas Alan Bates did it perfectly.)

[–] GunsGirlsCars 13 years ago

No they couldn't! It was about Zorba with the Brit in the background. Dean would have bee too much of a distraction. But...FanBoyz would have creamed in their panties!

[–] dgross-3 13 years ago

Well, it was about Zorba, but the thing is, Zorba's influence _transforms_ (or at least modifies) the inhibited, almost-twerp Brit.

So you have to have an inhibited character as Zorba's second fiddle, otherwise Zorba has no foil.

And so, Zorba's influence would have been wasted on James Dean. James Dean is already Zorbatic, albeit in a alienated, introverted way.

Or ... you know ... okay: James Dean could have been in Bates' role, but: the story would then have to be about how Zorba's influence heals Dean's *alienation* instead of healing inhibitedness.

[–] JellyFish19 13 years ago

I couldn't picture Dean in this role, but I agree about the colorization, it would look lovely.

[–] oknar1977 9 years ago

dean is modern city guy from hollywood - for blockbuster fun films, easy to watch for any age.
this is more peasant backward european thing - for artistic rarity films hard to watch for younger audience.