The Don Is Dead (1973)

After his mistress is murdered a Mafia leader goes after the killer with a bloody vengeance. Soon after the hunt begins, a gang war ensues.

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writers:

Marvin H. Albert (novel), Christopher Trumbo (adaptation),

Stars:

Anthony Quinn, Frederic Forrest, Robert Forster

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Quinn	...	Don Angelo
Frederic Forrest	...	Tony Fargo
Robert Forster	...	Frank
Al Lettieri	...	Vince Fargo
Angel Tompkins	...	Ruby Dunne
Charles Cioffi	...	Orlando
Jo Anne Meredith	...	Marie
Barry Russo	...	Don Bernardo (as J. Duke Russo)
Louis Zorich	...	Mitch
Anthony Charnota	...	Johnny Tresca
Ina Balin	...	Nella
Joe Santos	...	Joe Lucci
Frank DeKova	...	Giunta (as Frank de Kova)
Abe Vigoda	...	Don Talusso
Victor Argo	...	Augie the Horse

Storyline

After his mistress is murdered a Mafia leader goes after the killer with a bloody vengeance. Soon after the hunt begins, a gang war ensues.

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Plot Keywords:

mafia | female nudity | murder | gangster | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

Power built an empire. Passion destroyed it.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 November 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Beautiful But Deadly

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"The Eyes of Love"
Written by Quincy Jones

User Reviews

Mixed bag of effective and flat mob play

Like quite a few other of the 70's crime dramas that were not classics, but still of more grit and consequence than many of those churned out in the last two decades, this interestingly plotted mob film is a frustrating mix of a really good scene or two followed by a painfully predictable and badly presented one. Anthony Quinn is top billed but largely wasted as the boss whose romantic liaison triggers a war of wills and weapons with some headstrong younger members (led by Robert Forster, Frederic Forrest and Al Lettieri.) Some good action scenes follow, but, like the rest of the film, some of them are quite impressive while others fall flat. A mixed bag, not often seen but worth watching, with limited expectations.