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Melina Mercouri, Jules Dassin, Georges Foundas, Titos Vandis, Mitsos Liguisos ... see more see more... , Despo Diamantidou , Alexis Salomos , Dimitris Papamichael , Dimos Starenios , Nikos Tsachiridis , George Foundas , Alexis Solomos , Faidon Georgitsis , Nikos Fermas , Thanasis Vengos

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... read more read more... 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

Flixster Users

80% liked it

2,395 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

8 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: Jules Dassin

Release Date: January 1, 1960

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DVD Release Date: July 1, 2003

Stats: 104 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (104)

  • JonathanHutchings
    December 15, 2011
    JonathanHutchings
    Not quite the Dassin I know and love, but in less capable hands, Never on Sunday could have been a lot worse.
  • flixsterman
    September 19, 2009
    flixsterman
    Bravo Melina Mercouri!
  • RossCollinsUK
    March 17, 2008
    RossCollinsUK
    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.
  • fb100000496792525
    April 29, 2012
    fb100000496792525
    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.
  • mcintyre157
    December 24, 2009
    mcintyre157
    Yeah, Lauren Bacall has a very sexy voice...granted...but Melina!...c'mon, what kind of dreams would one have if she whispered in one's ear while you were sleeping? Ponder that.
  • rickrudge
    January 22, 2009
    rickrudge
    Pote tin Kyriaki (1960)

    Illia (Melina Mercouri) is one of the most popular prostitutes in Piraeus, Greece. The men love her energy, good humor attitude, the daly swims off the dock and her Sunday open house events with food, drink, and song.

    Homer Thrace (actor and director, J... read moreules Dassin) is an amateur philosopher from Connecticut, who, although infatuated with Illia, wants to save her from herself. He sees Greece as having fallen from its ancient greatness by debauchery and the constant devotion to pleasures. That the pursuit of knowledge is the only way to true happiness.

    He goes about trying to change Illia, filling her apartment with books, art, and classical music. Unfortunately, he is using the money from Mr. No Face, a local pimp who wants Illia out of the business and not being such a bad influence on his whores.
  • jakewhite715
    November 18, 2007
    jakewhite715
    Jules Dassin is of my favorite directors, but who told him could act? He can't and he almost sinks this wonderful movie, the "inspiration" for Woody Allen's "Mighty Aphrodite".
  • slbestfriendsforever21
    November 2, 2006
    slbestfriendsforever21
    One of the best foreign films I've seen. It is a good quiet film but not without exitement. See this: the main actress may be a little too old, but does the best job anyone could.

View All Never on Sunday Reviews

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
February 17, 2011
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. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
March 1, 2007
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Mercouri's energetic performance took it to greater heights than it deserved. Full Review

Moira Sullivan
September 30, 2003
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. Full Review

Walter Chaw
August 28, 2003
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. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

David Kaplan
March 1, 2008
David Kaplan, Kaplan vs. Kaplan

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
June 30, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Philip Martin
February 18, 2005
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Never on Sunday Trivia

  • Who directed Never on Sunday?  Answer »
  • Katina Paxinou, who won an Oscar for her supporting role of Pilar in For Whom The Bell Tolls, was born in Piraeus, Athens, Greece. This section of Athens was also the setting for a major film made years later. The name of that film was ...  Answer »
  • 1960's Best Song Oscar was the first foreign language song to win the award. In what language was the original song Never On Sunday sung?   Answer »
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