Long before Greece became a go-to backdrop for global cinema, one film forever changed how the world saw it — Boy on a Dolphin. Nearly 70 years after its premiere, the classic returns to Greek cinemas in a stunning, newly restored version, tovima.com, has reported.
Directed by Jean Negulesco and based on David Divine’s 1955 novel, it was the first Hollywood production filmed entirely in Greece. Shot on the island of Hydra, with scenes in Athens, Rhodes, Delos, and Meteora, it showcased the country’s breathtaking beauty in full Technicolor.
The story follows Phaedra, a determined sponge-diver who discovers an ancient statue beneath the sea. Her find triggers a battle between two men: an American archaeologist (Alan Ladd) who sees it as national heritage, and a wealthy collector (Clifton Webb) with private intentions. At the heart of it all is Sophia Loren, just 22, in her English-language debut — radiant, commanding, and unforgettable.
“Boy on a Dolphin” dives into deeper themes of cultural identity and ownership. Greek actor-director Alexis Minotis plays a state agent protecting the nation’s antiquities. The film’s music, by Oscar-nominated composer Hugo Friedhofer, features Loren singing “Τι ’ναι αυτό που το λένε αγάπη”, later adapted into the sultry English ballad “Boy on a Dolphin”.
Premiered in 1957 as a benefit for Queen Frederika’s Fund for Greek Orphans, the film was also a soft-power moment for postwar Greece.
Now, it returns home. Boy on a Dolphin will screen at Cine Paris in Athens on June 19, followed by limited showings across the country.
Source: tovima.com
