Still today, absorbing viewing, this Bazouki melodrama has many of the faults, features and personnel of the Greek home consumption cinema of the fifties but scenes like Alexandrakis' tilted stagger along the white street while his sex-bomb old flame is making out with the football hero or the country picnic with the child dancing along with Vembo's song, generate attention rarely matched there.The business of Mercouri's first number proving a fiasco creating suspense about whether she actually can deliver is, of course, the device used in 8 MILE.The film making is a bit rough. This one is not shot by English cameraman Walter Lassally who did most of Cacoyannis' work and some of it looks like it was lit with a searchlight. However the people who will make an impression are already visible - Hadjidakis, Aldredge, Cacoyanis and it's leads, the vibrant Mercouri and virile Foundas who would figure in all the director's early work and should have had as substantial a career as any of them.

One of the best Greek films ever released. Its highlights are the great acting of Melina Mercouri (she was robbed away the Cannes Best Actress Award) and the music of Manos Hadjidakis (he won an Oscar for Nener on Sunday(1960).

It is my opinion that this film is the best film ever created in Greece. This a story of Greek female singer who is full of passion and despises any social or moral "must". She is living her life like nobody else. Until our anti-hero Stella meets her destiny in the face of Miltos, a man who will try anything in order to make her his. Of course, a passion can have only one tragic end. The direction of Michalis Cacoyiannis is superb. The stars Melina Mercouri, Giorgos Fountas and Alekos Alexandrakis are some of the best actors that the Greek cinema and theathre has created. Also the music is made by an Oscar winner composer, named Manos Hadjidakis, and it reflects all the emotions that the actors have. If you can not understand what Mediterranean passion means, see this film, and you will. SUPERB!!!

Never have I seen a movie that shows that well the real spirit of the greek people. Stella loves Milto but she loves her freedom as much...? or more?... Or less??? A dilemma that will lead to death either way, spiritual or physical. On the other hand Miltos must choose: Pride or let his loved one live, without having her? Regardless to say that this film is legendary at least in Greece. I will give you the last scene, a moment that sums up all the passion and love I will get in my whole lifetime: miltos:Go away Stella, I am holding a knife (Stella keeps walking towards him) M:Why aren't you going away,Stella? (S finally reaches him and he stabs her. She collapses in his arms) Stella: Kiss me Milto....Kiss me... THE END