The Ogre of Athens

O Drákos (Greek: Ο Δράκος; English: The Ogre of Athens or The fiend of Athens), or simply The Dragon, is a 1956 Greek existential and satirical drama crime film, directed by Nikos Koundouros. It tells the story of Thomas, a mousey and dull bank clerk whose physical appearance leads him to be confused with a fierce and notorious criminal. The film highlights as a theme the alienated modern individual[1] and the alienation from the fear imposed by a central government in a social level as well, and encompasses artistically neorealist, expressionist and ancient Greek tragedy features. The film also satirizes the film noir genre.[2] The plot was based on a script by Iakovos Kambanellis, one of Greece's most prominent playwrights, and the music score was written by Manos Hadjidakis with the collaboration of Vasilis Tsitsanis.[3] Although the film was a commercial disaster on its release, it is considered to be one of the most significant works of Modern Greek cinema.

It won the award for best movie 1955–1959 in the first Thessaloniki Film Festival. It also took part in the 17th Venice International Film Festival.[4]

At the 2006 International Thessaloniki Film Festival, the film was announced as among the 10 all-time best Greek films by the PHUCC (Pan-Hellenic Union of Cinema Critics).[5][6]