Nikos Kazantzakis’ two most popular novels, adapted for BBC Radio

Nikos Kazantzakis is widely regarded as the greatest Greek writer and philosopher of the 20th century. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature 14 times, and his works have been translated into over 50 languages. Included here are dramatisations of his two most famous and influential novels, both of which were adapted as hit films and became cultural phenomena.

Zorba the Greek – When writer Nikos meets the irrepressible Zorba, his life is transformed. A grizzled, gregarious Greek hero, Zorba embraces every experience and adventure that life has to offer. As he befriends the young, intellectual Nikos, he introduces him to the real meaning of a life well lived… A moving coming-of-age tale and a classic story of heart vs head, this atmospheric adaptation stars Robert Stephens, Michael Maloney and Mary Wimbush.

The Last Temptation – Starring John Hurt and Dame Judi Dench, this 1973 archive drama is based on Kazantzakis' controversial 1955 novel, banned by the Vatican but hailed by critics as a masterpiece. A powerful, passionate account of the days preceding Christ’s death, it explores his humanity, his divinity and the roles of Mary Magdalene and Judas Iscariot in fulfilling his destiny.

Zorba the Greek © Nikos Kazantzakis 1952, © Helen Kazantzakis 1958

The Last Temptation © 1961 Helen N Kazantzakis

Production credits

Written by Nikos Kazantzakis

Zorba the Greek

Zorba – Robert Stephens

Nikos – Michael Maloney

Hortense – Mary Wimbush

Mavrondoni – Terry Molloy

Mimiko – Dominic Taylor

Anagnosti/Zacharias – Roger Hume

Andonis – Peter Meakin

Mad Woman/Mourner – Hedli Niklaus

Villa Girl/Girl – Judy Bennett

Zacharias – Roger Hume

Father Demetrios – Paul Webster

Widow – Marian Kemmer

Dramatised by Nick McCarty

Produced by Phillip Martin

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12-19 December 1993

The Last Temptation

Narrator – Gabriel Woolf

Rabbi Simeon – John Ruddock

Jesus – John Hurt

Mary – Diana Bishop

Centurion – Vernon Joyner

Judas – David Buck

Peter – Walter Hall

Mary Magdalene – Judi Dench

Barabbas – John Rowe

Guestmaster – Timothy Bateson

Saul – Peter Williams

Melchizadek – Rolf Lefebvre

Simon of Cyrene/Monk – William Sleigh

Abbot – Clive Swift

Andrew – Peter Craze

Zebedee/Man in the crowd – Brian Haines

The Baptist/Man in the crowd – Haydn Jones

The Tempter – Heron Carvic

Women in the crowd – Julie Hallam & Betty Huntley-Wright

Man in the crowd – David Timson

Translated and adapted by Andreas Stavrou and Hallam Tennyson

Music specially composed by Elizabeth Poston and conducted by Peter Marchbank

Additional singers: Veronica Lucas, Colin Appleton, Richard Bourne, Sandra Clark, Hilda Schroder, William Eedle, Fraser Kerr, David Sinclair

Produced by Richard Wortley

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16-23 September 1973

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