Overview

Greece, in the 1920s, is occupied by the Turks. The country is in turmoil with entire villages uprooted. The site of the movie is a Greek village that conducts a passion play each year. The leading citizens of the town, under the auspices of the Patriarch, choose those that will play the parts in the Passion. A stuttering shepherd is chosen to play Jesus. The town butcher (who wanted to be Jesus) is chosen as Judas. The town prostitute is chosen as Mary Magdalene. The rest of the disciples are also chosen. As the movie unfolds, the Passion Play becomes a reality. A group of villagers, uprooted by the war and impoverished, arrive at the village led by their priest. The wealthier citizens of the town want nothing with these people and manipulate a massacre. In the context of the 1920s, each of the characters plays out their biblical role in actuality.

Top Cast

Jean Servais

Priest Fotis

Carl Möhner

Lukas

Grégoire Aslan

Agha

Gert Fröbe

Patriarcheas

Melina Mercouri

Katerina

Pierre Vaneck

Manolios

Maurice Ronet

Michelis

Roger Hanin

Panagiotaros

René Lefèvre

Yannakos

Fernand Ledoux

Pope Grigoris

Nicole Berger

Mariori

Teddy Bilis

Hadji Nikolis