A 20-year-old Greek innocent dreams of America while enduring the hardship and poverty of rural Turkey. He spends the days gathering ice from a  mountain top to sell in the local market. So Stavros Topouzoglou (Stathis Giallelis) dreams of going to America.  With expertise, Director Elia Kazan (1909-2003) dramatizes the sad plight of  Greek and Armenian minorities. Horrified, we watch as the Turks block exits to an occupied Armenian church, and then set fire to it.  As the oppression increases, Stavros'  father gives his son the family treasures, and sends him off to Constantinople to find work and earn money to send back to the family. Unlucky and naive Stavros quickly loses the family treasures to a con artist, Abdul (Lou Antonio). Even after stealing his belongings, the lecher  hangs on to Stavros and leads him into further misadventure. Eventually Stavros reaches the breaking point and murders Abdul with a knife given to him by his mother. Broke and bewildered, Stavros finally  makes his way to Constantinople and seeks out  his uncle's dwelling for shelter. He confesses that he lost the family treasures and pleads with him  not to say a word about his misfortunes.  Stavros' letters home mention nothing of his troubles and promise only hope for the future.

Still obsessed with going to America,  Stavros schemes to gain  favor with Aleko Sinnikoglou (Paul Mann), a wealthy carpet merchant whose daughter Thomna (Linda Marsh) is unmarried. Aleko is persuaded to give Stavros the  hand of his daughter in marriage.  Not unexpectedly, as soon as the dowry is handed over, Stavros spends it on a single ticket to America.  America, here he comes. As the boat nears its destination, the immigrants crowd on deck. Who will be the first to catch a glimpse of land?  As he finally walks ashore, Stavros bends down on his knees and kisses the ground. 

Elia Kazan, who  wrote, directed and produced this 174-minute black and white movie, was born in Constantinople in 1909.  His screenplay is based on some of the experiences of his own uncle. Prior to America, America, Kazan had made many successful movies  including  A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Viva Zapata (1952),  On The Waterfront (1954), East of Eden (1955) and Splendor in the Grass ( 1961). America, America received nominations for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay in 1964.  In 1999,   Kazan  received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The ceremony was boycotted by some who never forgave Kazan for naming names during the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1952.

 (No  DVD version yet available; VHS edition tough to find.)