Never on Sunday (1960)
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88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
80% of users liked it
(2,442 ratings)
In this globally acclaimed comedy drama, eccentric, tough, and carefree Ilya (Melina Mercouri) is one of those characters who makes her mark on film history, and who made an internationally known star out of Mercouri. Ilya is a prostitute in the port of Piraeus with a definite sense of social and… More In this globally acclaimed comedy drama, eccentric, tough, and carefree Ilya (Melina Mercouri) is one of those characters who makes her mark on film history, and who made an internationally known star out of Mercouri. Ilya is a prostitute in the port of Piraeus with a definite sense of social and economic justice. The aptly named Homer (director Jules Dassin, later to marry his star) arrives in Greece, meets the irrepressible Ilya, and decides she needs more of the traditional Greek culture and less of those flamboyant emotions that are not really Greek, you see. So while he tries to play Henry Higgins, Ilya is willing to give up her usual self for two weeks. The question is, what will happen once the two weeks are over, assuming she can get through them? ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jules Dassin
- Written By
- Jules Dassin
- Genres
- Drama, Art House & International, Classics, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1960 Wide
- Studio
- Lopert Pictures Corporation
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This culture collision comedy is full of cliches, but as the Greek prostitute with a heart of gold, Melina Mercouri gives an infectiously joyous Oscar-nominated performance.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Mercouri's energetic performance took it to greater heights than it deserved.
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Moira Sullivan, Movie Magazine International
While the film serves to exploit the myth of the happy prostitute, it reveals the charm and powerful simplicity of the Greece people.
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Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Her earthiness is grounding, the only element keeping the world from spinning off its axis; beware the man, and woe to mankind, for formulating her to a wall.
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Cast
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Melina Mercouri
as Illia
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Jules Dassin
as Homer
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Georges Foundas
as Tonio
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Titos Vandis
as Jorgo
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Mitsos Liguisos
as The Captain
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Despo Diamantidou
as Despo
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Alexis Salomos
as No Face
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Dimitris Papamichael
as Sailor
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Dimos Starenios
as Poubelle
- Nikos Tsachiridis
- George Foundas
- Alexis Solomos
- Faidon Georgitsis
- Nikos Fermas
- Thanasis Vengos
