Jules Dassin is very much an on/off director but he is decidedly 'on' in this, his second film in France, which is not only his most ambitious European venture but probably his most sincere. It is not without its weaknesses to be sure but these are overcome by the emotive subject matter and the passion of his direction together with the committed performances of his magnificent cast. Whether the film reflects Dassin's religious beliefs is debateable but it certainly mirrors his political views and indeed those of his future wife and muse Melina Mercouri, utterly luminous here in her second film.
Based upon his novel 'Christ Recrucified' it is the only one of Nikos Kazantzákis' works to be adapted for film during his lifetime and is pretty faithful to the original. Although the ending has been changed it is extremely effective filmically and would no doubt have appealed to the author who once said: "To be alive is to unfasten your belt and look for a fight."
Based upon his novel 'Christ Recrucified' it is the only one of Nikos Kazantzákis' works to be adapted for film during his lifetime and is pretty faithful to the original. Although the ending has been changed it is extremely effective filmically and would no doubt have appealed to the author who once said: "To be alive is to unfasten your belt and look for a fight."