In the wake of the success of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather in 1972, there was a proliferation of mob-based movies and books. Although it might not have the kudos of the Corleone saga, The Don is Dead had enough firepower and conflict to stand worthily in the shadow of Coppola’s masterpiece. Richard Fleischer (Soylent Green) is a masterful director and takes the movie above melodrama and into a gripping, enthralling action piece.
Following the death of his father, Frank (Robert Forster) expects to inherit the Don title, but the mobsters union (for want of a better expression) decide that his territory be split between two other Dons, with Frank taking over when he’s matured and grown into the business. Frank’s speciality is drugs, and while he’s in Italy for a deal, he asks Don Angelo (Anthony Quinn) to take a listen to his girlfriend’s music as he has connections in the industry. Unfortunately, Don Angelo takes a shine to Ruby (Angel Tompkins) and when Frank finds out, he gives her a good hiding. This prompts Don Angelo to briefly put a hit out on Frank, but it’s retracted too late and one of Frank’s men is slain. This leads to an all-out mob war, with the Fargo Brothers (Al Lettieri and Frederic Forrest) siding with Frank.
There’s a TV movie feel about The Don is Dead, which isn’t to say the story is small or the action pared down. It’s perhaps that it’s so brightly lit and while there’s some brutal violence, it’s a relatively bloodless affair. Like The Godfather, it was also based on a novel, and the focus on a specific timeframe works in its favour. The cast of familiar faces (including Sid Haig and Godfather veterans Lettieri and Abe Vigoda) make it feel as though we’re already acquainted with the ‘families’ here. Surprisingly, when things kick off, we’re never sure who will make it out alive and the outcome is never a sure thing.
It’s a shame that Eureka’s Blu-ray only contains a commentary and trailer on the disc as extras. The included booklet makes up for this, though, having essays on the director and the place of the film in the onslaught of mob-based movies in the ’70s. While nowhere near as famous as Coppola’s epic, The Don is Dead stands on its own merits and is an enthralling and entertaining watch.
Release Date: January 18th.
