Athan Karras - DARK ODYSSEY - Levendiko Tsamiko

A very rare clip with Mr. Karras performing a Warrior's Dance. Overview New York Times Review Cast, Credits & Awards Dark Odyssey (1957, 1961) June 26, 1961 Screen: 'Dark Odyssey':Low-Cost Drama Has Premiere at Cameo, N.Y.C. HOWARD THOMPSON. Published: June 26, 1961 WILLIAM KYRIAKYS and Radley Metzger, a new young writer-director-producer team, rate an A for effort and a solid B for their first feature, "Dark Odyssey." Shot here in New York on a shoestring budget, with a small cast of unfamiliar faces, this thoughtful, unpretentious and creatively turned little drama (co-written with James Vlamos) describes the local vendetta of a young Greek sailor who jumps ship and finds shelter with a Greek-American family and a compassionate girl. Presented by Era K M Films (the new partners), it opened on Saturday at the Cameo, and thereby hangs a curious tale. Ready for release two years ago, the English-language project was thumbed-down locally without a Greek sound track—a long painstaking dubbing process. In both languages, two identical versions are now alternating at the Cameo, providing a unique sampling for lingering customers. Even in Hindustani, the picture would owe no apologies. Excellently photographed by Peter Erik Winkler, with a fine, brooding musical score by Laurence Rosenthal, it moves forward steadily with simple purposefulness. Obviously Messrs Kyriakys and Metzger have charted a contemporary Greek tragedy, with a primitive-minded hero, played by Athan Karras, stalking a family betrayer far from home. And the mellowing atmosphere of his Washington Heights sanctuary, with Old World Greek parents and two modern-minded daughters, is intended to contrast two cultures. This it does nicely, in a series of quiet vignettes underscored by lifelike dialogue, as one of the girls furtively dates a sunny American extrovert and the other steadfastly trails Mr. Karras. There's the rub. It's impossible to believe that the most murderous resolve wouldn't melt before this winsome, practical heroine, beautifully played by Jeanne Jerrems. Furthermore Mr. Karras, our hero — and hers (again, why?) — remains grim, taciturn and seething to the end. Finally, on the side of Greek tragedy, the picture clips off melodramatically, sidestepping cumulative strength and missing a heaven-sent chance for a real original, emotional wallop. On the American side of things, right here in our town, Mr. Winkler's clean, searching camera views of the George Washington Bridge area, various waterfronts, and canyon panoramas that pointedly dwarf the cast, are a joy to behold. Of the other cast members, David Hooks is an amiable sailor; Rosemary Torri, as Miss Jerrems' tart-tongued sister and Edward Brazier, as her suitor, do well indeed; and Nicholas and Ariadne Zapnoukayas (especially in later scenes) make persuasive parents. In itself, "Dark Odyssey" is not an occasion for cheering. But for a fresh, economical approach to an ancient dramaturgical formula, Messrs. Kyriakys and Metzger rate a warm welcome to the movie fold. The Cast DARK ODYSSEY, screen play by William Kyriakys, Radley Metzger and James Vlamos; directed and produced by Mr. Kyriakys and Mr. Metzger and presented by Era K M Films, Inc. At the Cameo Theatre, Eighth Avenue and Forty-fourth Street. Running time: eighty-five minutes. Yianni . . . . . Athan Karras Niki Vassos . . Jeanne Jerrems George . . . . .David Hooks Helen Vassos . .Rosemary Torri Jack Fields . . Edward Brazier Mrs. Vassos . . Ariadne Zapnoukayas Mr. Vassos . . .Nicholas Zapnoukayas Bartender . . .Warren Houston Freighter Captain . . .Chris Marx