EpiheirisisApollonIntroduction

“Epiheirisis Apollon” (Operation Apollo) is a Greek/Swedish film from 1968. The musical comedy was shot in the summer of 1967 by George Skalenakis on location in Athens, Nafpliou, Epidaurus and Corfu, starring the Greek actress Elena Nathanael and German actor Thomas Fritsch. Apart from Greece, the film reached an international audience with screenings in Spain (titled “Apollo En Vacaciones”), France (titled “Apollo part en vacances”) and the USA (titled “Apollo Goes On Holiday”).

Music for the film was written by the renowned composer Yannis Markopoulos, not only the score but also the popular song 'Zavarakatranemia'. Vangelis also provided a song for the film, 'Summer Dream', with English lyrics by George Stefanou. In the film Nathanael can be seen performing the song, but there is a claim that the voice is actually by Aleka Kanelidou, with whom Vangelis had recorded several other songs that year. I had no way to verify this claim, as there is no credit for Kanelidou in the film, but the voice surely sounds like her!

Unfortunately the song 'Summer Dream' was never released outside of the movie, as the original soundtrack of the film only contains Markopoulos’ music. There is however a great cover of the song by Greek singer Agni, that she released on her album “Otan Allazei O Kairos” in 2006.

 

EpiheirisisApollonTitleDetails and credits

  • Title: Epiheirisis Apollon (Operation Apollo)
  • Year: 1968
  • Country: Greece
  • Alternate titles: “Apollo Goes On Holiday”, “Apollo En Vacaciones”, “Apollo Part En vacances”, “Prinesse d’un Jour”.
  • Length: 88 minutes
  • Released in Greece on the 5th of February 1968.
  • Production: Co-production between Damascus-Michailidis, A.B. T.V.S. and Inge Ivarson Filmproductions.
  • Directed by: George Skalenakis
  • Cast: Elena Nathanael, Thomas Fritsch, Athinodoros Prousalis, Christos Tsaganeas, Caroline Christensen, Giorgos Bartis, Aris Malliagros, Ulla Bergryd, Ulf Brunnberg.

 

EpiheirisisApollonCreditMedia

  • 2010 DVD Epiheirisis Apollon (Karagiannis-Karatzopoulos VM-8967)

 

Synopsis

The German prince Jan comes to Greece for holidays and is hosted in the yacht of a famous prima donna. One morning, and despite the strong objections of his entourage, he takes a helicopter ride over Athens. In Lycabettus, he sees a beautiful tour guide, Elena, and, fascinated by her glamorous presence, decides to meet her up close, pretending to be a simple tourist. While he enjoys Greek antiquities, as a member of Elena’s group, his disappearance has mobilized the secret services and the ambassador of his country. But until they find them, Jan and Elena have fallen in love with each other and have had wonderful moments. The prince is unhappy for being discovered and refuses to return to his duties, but Elena convinces him that it is better to part ways, as they belong to two completely different and incompatible worlds.

 

Links

 

Gallery

 

 EpiheirisisApollonStill01  EpiheirisisApollonStill02
 EpiheirisisApollonStill03  EpiheirisisApollonStill04