I megali stigmi tou '21: Papaflessas

'Papaflessas' gets better and better as time goes by. I first saw it at a very young age and had the notion that it was a low-budget and rather silly b-movie concerning the Greek revolution against the Turks (1821). I watched it again recently and I must confess I'm ready to change my mind radically about the quality of this film.

First of all, the cast consists of many great and well-known actors. Almost all of them contributing were of very high quality: D. Papamihail for instance, who incarnates the leading role of Papaflessas, does a terrific job and, arguably, adds another great performance to his long career. Others who deserve to be mentioned here-by, are the following: A. Alexandrakis, S. Xenidis, H. Logothetis, D. Ioakimmidis, Th. Moridis and S. Stratigos. Generally, all the main actors acted splendidly.

Secondly, credit should be given to the very vivid dialogs. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that the Greek language was very well treated in the movie, depicting at the same time the character of the hero in a very realistic and veracious way...

...Which leads me to the third point I'd like to mention: The way Papaflessas' character was presented and treated is very dialectical; the man we see is a very patriotic, yet selfish and stubborn figure. I'd go as far as to assume that 'Papaflessas' is for Greek cinematography, what 'Patton' is for the American one. Briefly, Papaflessas is a round character, who has many virtues, as well as weaknesses (often, it is these same virtues, that lead him to mistakes).

Finally, kudos to the producers for the making of a very stylistic movie and one of a very good taste as well. I'm sure that a high amount of money must have been spent for the production. The comparison to other films about the Greek revolution falls flat.

The final conclusion: A film deserving to be watched by a larger crowd.

Historical movie about the Greek revolution against the Ottoman empire, but as years passed away the movie became an instant Cult.Most of the actor's are overplaying,you can see the same people in one battle as Greeks and in another as Turks 😂😂, especially Papamihail brings tears of laugh with his bad acting,I watch the film Very often in Greek TV every 25 of March and i have fun every time

The movie is awesome and much inspiring especially for Greeks. I use to say that this movie is comparable to Braveheart!

This is a movie which is about the Greek revolution of 1821 against Ottoman conquerors and especially about life of Grigorios Dikeos (Papaflessas), a bishop who had been at the forefront of battles for freedom.

Acting of Dimitris Papamichael in this role, it was the best of his long movie career.

The movie did cost about 12.000.000 of Greek drachmas, and it was one of the most expensive film productions of all time in Greek cinema.

Alekos Alexandrakis, Angelos Antonopoulos, Christos Politis and Katia Dandoulaki are the rest of the cast who successfully support Papamichael's leading role.

Touching and tought at the same time, Papaflessas is a Greek movie which anybody who likes historical films could watch with no doubt.

"Papaflessas" stands as a towering cinematic achievement in the landscape of Greek historical drama. Released in 1971 and featuring a powerhouse performance by Dimitris Papamichael, the film offers an emotionally charged and visually stirring portrait of one of the most fiery and passionate heroes of the Greek War of Independence: Grigorios Dikaios, better known as Papaflessas.

From its opening frames, the film grips the viewer with sweeping cinematography that captures the rugged beauty of the Greek countryside, symbolizing both the harshness of oppression and the hope of liberation. The battle scenes, while grounded and gritty, are elevated by an almost operatic sense of urgency, underpinned by an evocative score that stirs the soul.

Papamichael's performance is electrifying. He brings a rare duality to Papaflessas-fierce and bold in battle, yet deeply human and conflicted in private. His transformation from an impulsive, headstrong priest to a martyr of the revolution is portrayed with such conviction that it becomes impossible not to be moved by his fate.

But what truly sets Papaflessas apart is its narrative rhythm and historical gravitas. The film doesn't merely recount events; it embodies them. The political tensions, the personal sacrifices, and the burning desire for freedom are all seamlessly woven into a script that honors both historical accuracy and emotional depth.

As a national epic, Papaflessas does more than recount history-it revives it. It's a cinematic monument to courage, patriotism, and the indomitable spirit of resistance. Even decades later, it remains one of the most compelling portrayals of 1821 on screen and an essential film for anyone who wishes to understand the heart of modern Greece.