Who wrote the music for the film "Zorba the Greek"?

“Zorba the Greek” (Greek: “Αλέξης Ζορμπάς”, “Alexis Zorbas”) is a 1964 Greek comedy-drama film written, produced, edited, and directed by Greek Cypriot Michael Cacoyannis and starring Anthony Quinn as the titular character. Based on the 1946 novel “The Life And Times Of Alexis Zorba” by Nikos Kazantzakis, the score was written by Michail “Mikis” Theodorakis.

Michail “Mikis” Theodorakis (Greek: Μιχαήλ "Μίκης" Θεοδωράκης); was born in the Island of Chios, Greece on 29 July 1925 and died in Athens, Greece, on 2 September 2021. Theodorakis was a composer and lyricist and studied at the Athens and Paris conservatories. A member of the wartime resistance, he remained active in politics, serving several times in the Greek parliament. As a Communist Party member, he was arrested during the 1967 military coup and only released in 1970 due to international pressure.

He is best known outside Greece for his film scores, including “Zorba the Greek” (1964), “Z”(1969), “State of Siege” (1972), and “Serpico” (1973). He composed the "Mauthausen Trilogy", also known as "The Ballad of Mauthausen" about the “Holocaust". He was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize.

He also composed concert music, including seven symphonies, four operas, ballets, including “Antigone”, 1959, and more than 1,000 songs. His song cycles are based on poems by Greek authors, as well as by García Lorca and Neruda.

Theodorakis was viewed, up until his death, as Greece's national treasure.