Makrykostaioi kai Kondogiorgides

Filmed almost 50 years ago in a social and economical environment that led so many Greeks to immigrate in Western Europe and North America shortly after the end of world war two, this black & white classic motion picture delivers the best comedy situations out of the ethics and the cultural status of Greece's past generations!... Legendary actors Dinos Iliopoulos and Kostas Hatzihristos are playing the roles of two completely perfect strangers who struggle to keep themselves out of their families old vendetta, because they both have better things to do with their lives and they both actually hate the idea of practicing any physical harm to anybody for any reason! Iliopoulos in the role of a low-profile tailor in Athens metropolitan area and Hatzichristos as a peaceful village farmer who gets lost -literally and metaphorically!- in the big city, create one of the best comedian duos in the Greek filming history with their ultimate performances and their timeless acting chemistry, making this picture one of the most notable and best remembered Greek comedy films ever!

This is the most funny (in my opinion always) comedy of the old Greek cinema, with very intelligent story and action and two of the best greek comedians at their very best. Like most Greek films of that time, it means almost nothing to people of other nationalities, but a viewer familiar with the language and the customs of Greece, is difficult not to appretiate this genius comedy, not really a typical one of the time.

A hapless tailor is informed that a member of a warring family has come from the village to Athens in order to take revenge on him in the name of their two families' eight-year-long vendetta. The man who came from the village was as equally ignorant of the vendetta as the tailor; he only came to run an errand. Coaxed by well-meaning but ultimately ignorant, older relatives, they live in fear of their own shadow, dreading the moment they will get caught and made short shrift.

Perhaps this was much funnier in its original stage version, but as a film, it was wholly cumbersome and unfunny. The joke wore off sometime around the fifteen-minute mark. After that, it was one long, predictable slow haul to the end.

Maybe 1960s audiences laughed at this, who knows. But if you're expecting the kind of belly-aching laughter for which Greek comedy film is known, you will be left wanting by this quaint, early production.

One of the most beautiful Greek comedies.It is about the rivalry between two enemy families whose last male descendants are being forced by their relatives to kill one another (according to the rules of vendetta).Alas,both of them are peaceful and timid and they only think of saving their skin instead.The clever point is that each one believes that his enemy is fierce and vindictive...

The whole plot is based on amazing misunderstandings,which is very common in all films Sakellarios made.Not to mention the hilarious dialog never to be forgotten.It is unbelievable how many times can one watch this film without boring it and being able to laugh every time. No doubt that this is credited to the unparalleled interpretation of the leading actors,those giants of Greek cinema.I was a child when I saw the film in the cinema for the first time and I can still remember people falling off their seats laughing.Half a century later and it can arouse the same feelings of joy among the people.

I am sure that if this one was shot in English it would be among the best 3 comedies ever filmed. No exaggerate,believe me...

With two famous actors of the era.And with good second roles from Zervos and Garbi.Nice music and nice background from the Athens in 60s.