"The Last Don" (1997) TV mini-series

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Graeme Clifford

Writers (WGA):

Mario Puzo (novel)
Joyce Eliason (teleplay)

Release Date:

11 May 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Power Isn't Everything... It's The Only Thing.

Plot:

Sprawling Mario Puzo novel about an Italian family of gangsters draws the inevitable comparison to "The Godfather"...

Plot Keywords:

Daughter | Grandson | Rival | Gangster | Grandfather

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Danny Aiello	...	Don Domenico Clericuzio
Joe Mantegna	...	Pippi De Lena
Daryl Hannah	...	Athena Aquitane
Jason Gedrick	...	Cross De Lena
Penelope Ann Miller	...	Nalene De Lena
Rory Cochrane	...	Dante Clericuzio
Robert Wuhl	...	Bobby Bantz
k.d. lang	...	Dita Tommey
Kirstie Alley	...	Rose Marie Clericuzio
David Marciano	...	Giorgio Clericuzio
Christopher Meloni	...	Boz Skannet
Seymour Cassel	...	Alfred Gronevelt
Burt Young	...	Virginio Ballazzo
Cliff De Young	...	Senator
Dennis Boutsikaris

Also Known As:

"Mario Puzo's The Last Don"

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and some sexuality/nudity.

Runtime:

258 min | Brazil:138 min (compact video version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Iceland:16 | Australia:MA (original rating) | Australia:R (DVD rating) | Netherlands:16 | USA:R (longer video version) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company:

Konigsberg/Sanitsky Company

Trivia:

The score was recorded at Paramount Studios with a 75-piece orchestra. A smaller orchestra of about 40 recorded additional music at Capitol Studios, Hollywood. The score was orchestrated conducted by Roger Bellon.

Goofs:

Continuity: There is a scene which has Dante relaxing in a bathtub with his head propped against a pillow. However, Dante's head only rests against the pillow during the close ups, anytime the camera pulls away for a wide shot the pillow is resting behind Dante's head on the edge of the bathtub.

Movie Connections:

References Mad Max 2 (1981)

Kirstie Alley Will Break Your Heart

Based on Mario "Godfather" Puzo's novel, this is another great story about how the Mafia plans and executes their nefarious activities. For once, Kirstie Alley is not typecast as a neurotic Lucille Ball type, although she is living in her own little world as the tragic Rosemarie Clarricuzio. In this movie, she gives notice that she is a very fine dramatic actress as well as a fine comedic actress. She gives a heart-breaking performance as Rosemarie. There are many parallels between this movie and THE GODFATHER. Cross is the Michael Corleone character and the Don...well, need I say more? Even as recycled GODFATHER, it isn't bad at all. 9 out of 10.

RIP Mario Puzo.