Never on Sunday (1960)

88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(2,395 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Jules Dassin
Written By: Jules Dassin
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1960 Wide
On DVD: Jul 1, 2003
Studio: Lopert Pictures Corporation

Critic Reviews

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.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Mercouri's energetic performance took it to greater heights than it deserved.
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.
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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Featured Audience Ratings

Jonathan H

Not quite the Dassin I know and love, but in less capable hands, Never on Sunday could have been a lot worse.
Randy T

Bravo Melina Mercouri!
Ross C

Ena kai duo kai tria kai tessera filia! Light-hearted B&W musical of life in 60s Greece that puts a smile on your face. Mostly set in the port of Piraeus, save for scenes of the Parthenon and Epidauros.
George M

A bit on the light side but works wonders at times as the comedy that it is. The problem is that the film dwells too much on populist stereotypes of the Greek 'soul'. Still, it's difficult not to smile with the goofy intellectual persona that Dassin has created for… More
A bit on the light side but works wonders at times as the comedy that it is. The problem is that the film dwells too much on populist stereotypes of the Greek 'soul'. Still, it's difficult not to smile with the goofy intellectual persona that Dassin has created for himself.