Mario Puzo's The Last Don

Amazon.com

If you have an appetite for Sicilian soapers, then you're like all those other people who made Mario Puzo's The Last Don the highest Nielsen-rated show for the week in mid-May 1997 when it originally aired. And who could blame you, since the story line of this TV miniseries is chock-full of all the familiar elements that make up a bestseller--power, money, sex, murder, gambling, madness, fame, Hollywood, loyalties made and broken. The story proper begins with a little Romeo and Juliet when Rose Marie, daughter of Don Domenico Clericuzio (Danny Aiello), falls for the youngest son of the warring Santadio family. On their wedding night, Rose Marie's new husband and the entire Santadio family are slaughtered by the Clericuzios to avoid further conflict between the two families, and Rose Marie goes completely insane and grows up to be Kirstie Alley. But not before she gives birth to another Santadio, Dante (so named because he has to live in Hell), in whom she invests all her hatred for her own family. So he grows up to be a psychotic hitman, played with sly and sadistic ingenuity by Rory Cochrane. The Clericuzios' chief executioner, Pippi (played with smooth aplomb by Joe Mantegna), is responsible for killing Rose Marie's husband, and wants his own son, metaphorically overburdened with the name "Cross," to follow in his footsteps. The sins of the fathers are visiting all over the sons in this picture, and naturally the two kids will have to resolve this inheritance. The acting is the main attraction here. Aiello in particular invests The Don with a stately grace that is just right. --Jim Gay

Customer Reviews:

The Last Don, DVD.......2007-08-23

I had been looking for a copy of the DVD, Tne Last Don, for years. I finally got a computer and went online in search. To my surprise I foumd a copy. I ordered it, and received it. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I am so glad I checked the internet. Thank you Amazon, you brought back some really good memories to us.

The Julianas

Fantastic Mafia Movie.......2007-06-09

I saw this on tv, and bought it as a gift to a Mafia fantatic, and he loved it!

The Last Don by PK Reyes.......2007-05-13

Now this was a good Mafia Movie! Action, Action, and more Action. The acting was supuerb! Danny Aiello out done himself in this. This movie is about a mafia family, how father finally wanted the family to go legit. They were too far in to get out. Movie not for anyone under 13. The movie is rather long, but it won't matter because the action, drama, story keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time! This movie has a great group of actors. The movie is long, but the actions seems to never end. I tried to find this movie in the library, video stores, I had difficulty finding it. Oh I found the book, but I remember seeing the movie years ago as a mini series.Thank you Amazon for having it available. What other little treasures do you have??

I've got space for this.......2007-04-26

Kept in suspense every minute. Danny Aiello finally displays his finer talent as the Don. Has the required skill. Kirsty Alley portrays dreadful hate and darkness toward the Don, the Clericuzio. Jason Gedrick, innocent from the start, a given for the future. Serious family business headed toward the flame. Ruthless to the point, perhaps wiser.
Never cross the Don. Ever.

The Godfather it isn't...........2006-08-07

I remember this movie from when I was a kid...was a television min-series type deal. If you really like mafia movies, this one is adequate, but not spectacular. The characters come off almost goofy at times, and the acting is a bit over dramatic. It's certainly not close to Godfather quality...but taken for what it is, I've definitely seen worse movies too.

Charlie Rose with Ralph Reed; Danny Aiello; Gita Mehta (May 12, 1997)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Ralph Reed; Danny Aiello; Gita Mehta (May 12, 1997)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

First, a discussion with Ralph Reed, Executive Director of the Christian Coalition. Then, actor Danny Aiello discusses his role in "Mario Puzo's The Last Don." Finally, author Gita Mehta discusses her book, "Snakes and Ladders."

Charlie Rose with Henry Cisneros; Mario Puzo; Drew Nieporent (July 26, 1996)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Henry Cisneros; Mario Puzo; Drew Nieporent (July 26, 1996)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

First, Henry Cisneros, the secretary of Housing and Urban Development, speaks about advising President Clinton about campaign strategy. Then, author Mario Puzo talks about capturing the public imagination with the publication of his book, The Godfather, which remains one of the top-selling novels in publishing history, and his return to the genre he knows so well with his new book, The Last Don. Finally, Drew Nieporent, one of America's most respected and celebrated restaurateurs, talks about coming from a middle class background to build a restaurant empire.

DVD:

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