Zorba the Greek

An aimless English writer finds he has a small inheritance on a Greek island. His joyless existence is disturbed when he meets Zorba, a middle aged Greek with a real lust for life. As he discovers the earthy pleasures of Greece, the Englishman finds his view on life changing.

Despite its microbudget of $783K, Zorba the Greek became a box office phenomenon, earning $9.0M worldwide—a remarkable 1049% return. The film's innovative storytelling found its audience, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.