Koritsia ston ilio (1968) User Reviews

A jewel of Innosence,,,,

[pmitsi-1 · 8/10 · 26 March 2009]

I watched this film over 15 years after it was made (in a classic Greek cinema festival), but I knew the credit song as long as I could remember. The movie is a hymn to innocence and we all (a bunch of teenagers) truly enjoyed it then. Actually, I would if I ever watch it again. It wasn't a coincidence that it was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film.

The leading actress was OK and Voglis is very good and likable (the least) in his portrayal of the naive shepherd. Until then I only knew him from his more "mature" roles where he seldom played nice guys, so this was a pleasant surprise. The "Stasou mygdala" scene has know a cult status in Greece and will make you laugh your heart out.

Still back on the opening song which is considered know a classic. You would feel the emotions described thru it even if you don't understand a word in Greek!!! Unfortunately, its legendary performer has recently passed away (RIP Maria Demetriades).

Watch this film to enjoy a good dose of easiness, Greek summer and innocence...

Another epoch

[free_me2night · 8/10 · 19 April 2007]

I first saw this movie in 1991 when I was nine years old, left at home one morning, with chickenpox. I was so fascinated then, and the movie still has an aesthetic quality to me that I always remember the music and the pictures with love. For a Greek, the images on the beach look very familiar, and those who have traveled into the real Greek country side in the summer will remember their own holidays. Perhaps not with shepperds looking like Voglis, but most certainly with people enjoying the sun and the beautiful sea.

The movie is about a young foreigner in vacation in Greece. It is all Greek to her, so she misunderstands the shepperd who tries to offer her almonds. He is put to prison for that, and the whole story begins from there, with a very tender romance evolving.

The movie is famous first for its music by Xarhakos, one of the very good Greek composers. It also signifies a return to innocence and its loss, in the endless dry and wild Greek summers. Those who were teenagers in the 60's will see it with nostalgic memories. As for all others, interested in the epoch or not, it is still one of the beautiful movies of early Greek cinema.

Full of silent emotions !

[maroulas · 10/10 · 22 July 2013]

This movie is just perfect. It pictures the basic values of Greece and democracy, simplicity & emotional. The actors' eyes are full of words which can't be said, because they speak different languages. The soundtrack is quite melancholic and the Greek language with all its complexities, explain the most difficult emotions in a few words. The photography is also very good and depicts a Greece which is still alive till today. The end is quite unexpected. After watching this film, you will listen to your deep heart sayings and you will understand that SIMPLE EMOTIONS are the most EVOLUTIONARY.

P.S. Live your myth in Greece.

Dire tourist movie

[capamaroux-1 · 3/10 · 8 November 2005]

Such a dire movie! I decided to comment this film, since none has done before. It is considered to be some sort of a classic, but watching the film after 37 years, it looks aged. Anne Lonnberg plays the tourist and Yannis Voglis plays the shepherd. He is going in jail, because people think that he raped the girl. She feels sorry about that and the romance sets off... The director uses the sentimental music, in order to cover the weak plot and even weaker characterization, while Lonnberg's awful performance minimizes credibility. Voglis is fair (he does not have more than 10 lines!)and the rest cast is good but what to do with it, when the overall movie looks like a cheap tourist post card?