Just got finished watching this beautiful movie. While I'll admit that it did seem to drag a little in parts, but that often is the case the first time I see a movie. Anyway, the ending of this one really left me with a smile on my face. To see them dancing on the beach after all the heartbreak and tragedy was really great. Was anybody else blown away by the ending?
What's the spanish for drunken bum?
Yes, it is a great ending. It shows that Basil has learned (from Zorba) to deal with troubles in a positive way and also to start "living." Underrated film. 10/10 for me.
shareI loved the ending too.... the dancing was great.
However the movie as a whole gave me a bad feeling... sad I guess. The widow being killed really bothered me and also the way the tore apart the old whore's house... that was just gross. And not to say that I dotn like sad movies. I am a huge Tenessee Williams fan so I am pretty used to sad. This is a very depressing movie... but one I think people should see... if only for the ending!
i seriously think it deserves the title of one of the best endings in cinema history. to call a single film's ending "the best" is not honest, but this definitely belongs in the category of great endings.
shareYes, you're absolutely right. It's a wonderful and moving ending. I can't believe that it did not win the Best Picture Oscar. Come on it was way better than the other nominees (except for Dr. Strangelove, but it didn't have any chance). And Anthony Quinn should have won for Best Actor (Rex Harrison???!!!). This movie is so wonderful and it moves you, makes you laugh and cry. Everything.
shareI agree about the positive "let's get on with life" ending. I hadn't seen the film all the way through, so it meant much more after the deaths and failed project. I wanted to dance on the shore too.
Why ain't you at the garden party you heathen?
Yes, it was a great ending with a positive message, but I have to agree with the poster who said the film overall is somewhat depressing. Realistic, yes. I suppose we can't always have Hollywood endings despite our indefatigable strength. But on an emotional level, I like to see a positive message punctuated with a positive outcome.
I'm not necessarily talking about "happily ever after", but rather something like what Roberto Benigni is known for, like in Life is Beautiful. These films don't necessarily end with a victory dance, but they show that the never-quit attitude does pay off in circuitous ways.
If Shakespeare said "all's well that ends well"
then Benigni says "all's well that doesn't necessarily have to end well"
and Zorba says "all's not well that doesn't necessarily have to end not well"
^a gold star to anyone who can figure out what the hell I was trying to say :P
Zorba says "all's not well that doesn't necessarily have to end not well"
Rooprect, you said it all VERY WELL. Wish I would have thought of the above statement first!
Rita Raffanti
I wholeheartedly agree. I love both Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, and My Fair Lady was--pardon the pun--fair, but my gosh. Anthony Quinn is astounding. The movie is astounding. Robbed, definitely.
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