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

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 Rob Roy (1995)

The first class of the «Last Don» (DVD)

If you are a fan of the Godfather Trilogy, you'll like this feature. Otherwise, if you raise an eyebrow of interrogation, well, don't worry: after seeing this show, you will run to rent this another famous trilogy.

Indeed, the «Last Don» has all the flavour of Mario Puzzo, that is to say an immersion in the big families of the Cosa Nostra. The thematic values already developed in the before mentioned classic movies, are met again in this adaptation of another of his novel: Family, Tragedy, Love, Honour, Wedding, Loyalty, Murder, Plots and Sicilia.

It is always surprising how dichotomized or schizophrenic all those religious families can be. They give absolute devotion to the family, but they can wipe it all in one moment if the codes have been broken. There is no place for empathy, for forgiveness.

The good point in the «Last Don» would be that the classic material is shown in new directions or territories: Childhood, Teenagers life, Hollywood, California. It may be interesting to find how the story could be the real sequel of the Godfather, part II. Maybe, Mario Puzzo, not really convinced by the part III, would have liked to tell the last story of his dreams. I didn't read any interviews of his motives to write the «Last Don», so I can't tell more.

About the movie, sure, Clifford isn't Coppola, Aiello isn't Paccino or Brando, and TV isn't theater. But the story is very well introduced, all the actors are convincing. At the end, you'll get a fine feeling to this show, and that is what must count.

And remember: Books are great too ! So, you are also invited to read the Godfather and the Last Don, available at your nearest library.