Never On Sunday: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD]

 (34 customer reviews)

When the Carol Burnett show was on television, she had a skit about foreign films where the stories were mistranslated. When she did the take off on NEVER ON SUNDAY, Burnett's Illia did all that Mercouri's Illia did in the movie, but the lines matched those of a young school teacher collecting money for supplies rather than those of a prostitute. The skit piqued my interest in this film and could hardly wait a while until I saw it on video, since I was probably only ten when the Carol Burnett skit first aired.Perhaps what gives the movie its appeal is the fact that Illia, a gorgeous Greek prostitute is not the stereotype of a prostitute. She is not a miserable waif in need of salvation. She is a free spirit who cannot, or perhaps better stated, will not be tamed. The role is played masterfully by Melina Mercouri who won an award at Cannes for her performance. Homer, the American writer who wants her for himself is played by Jules Dassin. The film is set in a small Greek fishing...Read more

This is one of those rare b&w films that I think, wow, if it had been in color...but nevermind that. "Never On Sunday" is fine the way it is. A simple, intoxicating tale of an American writer named Homer (director Jules Dassin) who comes to the Greek isle of Piraeus to write and study the Greek culture. He is amazed at the laid back, carefree lifestyle he sees and the seemingly amoral ways of the local shipbuilders and fishermen. To them, drinking, partying and prostitution isn't bad---it's a fact of life, a necessity. They worship the local independent prostitute Illia (Melina Mercouri) who makes them all happy. She never sets prices and chooses only the ones she likes. She's as wonderful, exuberant and exotic as the Greek isles themselves. Homer cannot believe she's actually a (gasp) hooker and sets out to do the Pygmalian thing with her---educate her and "free" her from her lifestyle. But she is clearly happy with her life and sees nothing wrong with it. Homer has his job cut out...Read more

Hard to believe (but maybe not after perusing this site) that I am only the second person to comment on this movie. Melina Mercouri was one of the most vibrant actresses of her era. a Greek treasure along the lines of Helen. She was the essnce of Greek spirit. I don't know if her politics has hindered her legacy in America: if that's the case it's not fair. This is a marvellous paean to life, to exuberance, to transcendent spirit. By all means, buy it or rent it or at the least make yourself acqauinted with it in whatever manner you can. I'm amazed it's not shown on American television. But then again, The Trojan Women isn't shown here either , nor is Medea, both of them powerful films dealing with powerful ladies.