Takis Emmanuel Movies
Libyan leader Moummar Quaddafi financed this desert epic about a Libyan hero who helped his nation fend off an Italian invasion in 1929. Anthony Quinn stars as Omar Mukhtar, who organizes Libyan forces to hold off the encroaching Italian troops under General Rodolfo Graziana (Oliver Reed), who are trying to gain a foothold on Libyan soil under direct orders from the Italian dictator Mussolini (Rod Steiger). With the persistence of Mukhtar, the Libyans, battling the tanks and guns of the Italian army with their Bedouin troops on horseback, managed to hold off y the Italians for twenty years, until Mukhtar was finally captured and executed. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, (more)
- 1979
- R
Australia has a huge Greek immigrant population, so it is only natural that a refugee from Greece's occasional revolutions has become a political refugee there. Now a taxi-driver, Kostas (Takis Emmanuel) was formerly a journalist, an educated, passionate man who didn't always live in a seedy rooming-house. His depressing if relatively peaceful exile is given new form when he gets involved with one of his fares, Carol (Wendy Hughes), an upper-class, genteel woman, who is repulsed (and attracted) by his odd, earthy ways and his passion. In many ways, their differing cultures predispose this relationship to failure, but the attraction between the two is too great for them to remain apart for long. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Created by Michael J. Bird, the British drama series Who Pays the Ferryman? was set on the Mediterranean island of Crete. Jack Hedley starred as Alan Haldane, an Englishman returning to Crete after a 30-year absence. In his "search for himself," Haldane was not altogether pleased with what he found -- nor were those islanders whom he'd left behind. The first of the series' eight episodes was telecast on November 7, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Hedley, Betty Arvanitis, (more)
- 1976
The "Caddie" in this Australian thriller is not of the golfing variety, but is instead the nicknamed bestowed upon the heroine. Helen Morse plays a barmaid in 1930s Sydney whose husband walks out on her. Left with two kids to raise by herself, Helen struggles to make ends meet without losing her self-respect. Her favorite customer is Takis Emmanuel, who likens Helen to an expensive Cadillac (or "Caddie"). Romance blossoms between the two lost souls. Also appearing in Caddie is ubiquitous Aussie character actor Jack Thompson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Helen Morse, Takis Emmanuel, (more)
- 1975
Lee J. Cobb's last film is in this light romantic comedy starring Roger Moore as Michael Scott, an arms dealer who comes complete with a sophisticated playboy patter for the ladies. During war games, Michael attempts to sell weapons to NATO forces by trying to interest NATO general Steedman (Lee J. Cobb) in his wares. Opposing his sale is feminist reporter Julia Richardson (Susannah York), who is not impressed with either his job or his come-hither endearments. But, as happens to most movie feminists, she ends up putting her values on the back burner and she falls in love with Michael. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roger Moore, Susannah York, (more)
The second of special-effects wizard Ray Harryhausen's three Sinbad epics, this film finds the titular hero played by John Philip Law, while the principal villain, Koura, is portrayed by future Dr. Who Tom Baker. The plot sends Sinbad and his crew on a quest for a valuable and magical golden tablet. Harryhausen's "Dynamation" highlights include a six-armed statue, a one-eyed centaur and a flying griffin. Caroline Munro also stars. Golden Voyage of Sinbad was followed by Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1979). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Phillip Law, Caroline Munro, (more)
- 1970
- PG
In this WW II actioner set in 1942, an American officer serving with the British Royal Navy attempts to blockade Malta and then destroy a German arsenal located in Sicily. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Sotiris (George Linjeris) is the grandson of Orsetta (Katina Paxinou), the wealthy matriarch of a Greek family. As she lingers near death, Sotiris is repulsed by the ghoulish death watch prompted by greed for the old woman's fortune. He takes off for an unknown country in the Middle East where he joins a bunch of hash smoking hippies. Although no one is actually seen smoking anything, the hippies spend their days in burned out splendor. This is the directorial debut for John Crowther, son of former critic turned studio executive Bosley Crowther. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Katina Paxinou, Takis Emmanuel, (more)
- 1970
- R
In this limp western melodrama, when Mexican bandit Hector Cordoba (Raf Vallone) attacks a U.S. Army fort a few miles from the Mexican border, General John Pershing (John Russell) orders Captain Rod Douglas (George Peppard) to organize a group of soldiers to cross the border into Mexico to capture Cordoba and to bring him back to the U.S. for trial. When Douglas's band cross into Mexico, Douglas meets Leonora (Giovanna Ralli), a beautiful Mexican woman raped by Cordoba, who agrees to lead the Americans to Cordoba's stronghold. But Leonora is not entirely trustworthy, and when the Americans reach the fort, Cordoba takes them prisoners. Now, the Americans must escape from Cordoba's clutches and make it back to the other side of the border. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Peppard, Giovanna Ralli, (more)
Captain Douglas (Michael Caine) is the British army leader who is ordered to lead a band of mercenaries into the desert. Their mission is to knock out an enemy fuel reserve. The inexperienced captain contends with a veteran Colonel (Nigel Green) who is enamored with using old history books to fight modern battles. Cyril Leech (Nigel Davenport) is the experienced mercenary hired by Brigadier Blore (Harry Andrews) to help guide Douglas and his group through the dangerous plot. Leech and Douglas have differences of opinion on how to successfully carry out the mission. As if the trouble with the Nazi wasn't enough, Brigadier Blore sells them out by tipping off the enemy through a spy. Douglas and the few men he has left must survive the sweltering heat and the enemy gunfire in order to insure their survival. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Caine, Nigel Davenport, (more)
- 1968
- G
The classic Greek tragedy by Sophocles stars Christopher Plummer as the psychologically tortured Oedipus. The successful monarch begins his downward slide after he discovers he has murdered his father and had children with his own mother. Oedipus is called on to avenge the death of the previous ruler, but his mother Jocasta (Lilli Palmer) hangs herself in the process. The tormented king tears out his own eyes and wanders the land as a destitute, disabled pauper. Orson Welles plays the insightful but sightless prophet Tiresias. The chorus, key to all Greek classical plays, is lead by Donald Sutherland. Roger Livesy is the shepherd who has raised the boy who would be king. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Plummer, Orson Welles, (more)
In Guy Green's adaptation of John Fowles's acclaimed second novel, Michael Caine plays Nicholas Urfe, an English schoolteacher evading serious romantic commitment with stewardess Anne (Godard muse Anna Karina). As a last resort, Urfe escapes the clutches of his paramour by accepting a professorship on the Greek island of Phraxos, and, upon arrival, promptly discovers that his predecessor committed suicide. Via a clue left behind in the room of the deceased, Urfe soon encounters Conchis (Anthony Quinn), an impresario/psychic/black magician/filmmaker who may have been responsible for the former professor's death, and who twists Urfe's mind and perceptions, while subtly leading the young man down the path to higher consciousness. Urfe also discovers the radiant Lily (Candice Bergen), a Diana-like figure (and possibly a literal goddess incarnation), with whom he becomes instantly smitten - and who just happens to be Conchis's lover.
~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Caine, Anthony Quinn, (more)
- 1965
The villagers on the small Greek island of Naxos take pride in stealing from each other just for fun in this offbeat crime comedy. The local priest and the police do their best to discourage the activity that has become a time-honored tradition and a source of pride among the felonious. When the most respected thief of the village dies, his sons vow to marry off their sister Megla to the man who can prove his mettle as the new king of the thieves. When the couple is married, they are chased by the police and actually consider becoming law-abiding citizens. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Takis Emmanuel, Dimos Starenios, (more)
If ever there was a role that Anthony Quinn was born to play, it was the lusty, life-affirming title character in Zorba the Greek. The scene is the isle of Crete, where English writer Alan Bates arrives in the hopes of realigning his own values and outlook on life. He is "adopted" by the flamboyant Zorba, who determines to educate Bates in the ways of the world-or, to be more precise, Zorba's world. Along the way, Bates is introduced to widow Irene Papas, the unrequited love object of everyone on the island, who comes to a tragic end when she is accused of adultery. The writer is also a spectator to the equally benighted romance between Zorba and venerable courtesan Lila Kedrova. Other disasters follow, but Zorba is able to convince Bates that failure is an inescapable part of life, and that only by constantly tasting defeat can one truly enjoy life's victories. Based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis, Zorba the Greek earned Oscars for actress Lila Kedrova, cinematographer Walter Lassally and art director Vassilis Fotopoulos. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony Quinn, Alan Bates, (more)
This slow moving exploitation film concerns two couples in love. A married woman meets a shepherd, flocking to him in an adulterous affair while her husband goes on a fishing expedition. Also, a twelve years old girl storms the dreams of a ten year old boy when both are eager to experience their first love. The young couple receive a lesson in love when they run across the shepherd and the fisherman's wife in the throws of passion. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Takis Emmanuel, Cleopatra Rota, (more)
This excellent adaptation by Michael Cacoyannis of the famous tragedy by Euripides garnered him his first international success and an award at the 1962 Cannes Film Festival. Irene Papas plays Electra, the daughter of King Agememnon and sister of Orestes, caught up in an uncontrollable need for revenge. After the king returns from the battlefield, Clytemestra (his wife) joins with her lover in murdering the hapless ruler while he bathes. Orestes is sent away immediately, and Electra is left to simmer in her growing hatred of her mother until one day, she and Orestes manage to get together and hatch a scheme to avenge Agememnon's death. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Irene Papas, Yannis Fertis, (more)
