The Don Is Dead Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, "The Don Is Dead" reaches Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber with a respectable 1080p transfer. While the release shares its master with Eureka Entertainment’s version, sourced from an older Universal Pictures master, it grapples with visible shortcomings. The familiar traces of filtering adjustments and discernible edge-enhancement patterns, particularly evident in wider panoramic shots under natural light, result in smeary images that compromise depth and clarity. This will likely be more apparent and potentially irksome on larger screens. Despite these issues, the color scheme maintains a convincing representation, although improvements in darker scenes could significantly enhance the overall visual quality.

The film’s video stability is commendable, devoid of large debris, cuts, damage marks, or frame distortions. The Blu-ray showcases a faithful representation of film grain and fine details in various scenes, although some close-ups appear softer than others. Minimal occurrences of scratches, dirt, and dust are present but do not heavily detract from the viewing experience. Comparatively, this release is an upgrade from the previous Universal DVD, presenting the film in its best available home video format thus far, albeit operating within the limitations of an older HD transfer.

The audio presentation of "The Don Is Dead" Blu-Ray is offered on a single English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, with optional English SDH subtitles. This release maintains the film’s original mono soundtrack in a modern format, delivering a faithful representation of dialogue, ambient effects, and Jerry Goldsmith’s score. The sound mix preserves the dynamic intensity typical of '70s cinema, allowing viewers to experience the essence of the original theatrical experience without noticeable issues like crackling, hissing, or major distortions throughout the majority of the film.

While there are minor light distortions during the opening melee scene, these appear to be inherent to the original master and not a result of the audio transfer. Apart from this isolated occurrence, the majority of the film maintains excellent sound fidelity. Dialogue is robust and well-articulated, ensuring clarity and natural playback. This transfer on Blu-Ray likely represents the apex of audio quality for "The Don Is Dead" in home media, significantly outclassing previous editions like the Universal DVD in terms of audio clarity and balance.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Don Is Dead" offer a mix of valuable content for fans and film historians alike. A newly recorded commentary by critic and historian Sergio Mims provides an insightful analysis of the film's ensemble structure, cinematography by Richard Kline, and Anthony Quinn's influential legacy, though more production details would enhance the experience. Complementing the commentary is a vintage trailer that captures the historical essence of the film, albeit presented in standard definition. Additionally, trailers for other related films are included, adding further context to the era's cinematic landscape. Overall, the extras enhance the understanding and appreciation of this classic crime drama's creation and impact.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Insightful track by film critic Sergio Mims discussing the film's structure, cinematography, and Anthony Quinn's legacy.
• Trailer: A vintage English-language trailer showcasing "The Don is Dead."
• Bonus KLSC Trailers: Teasers for "Across 110th Street," "The Destructors," "The Passage," and "Mr. Majestyk."

Richard Fleischer's 1973 film "The Don is Dead," now available on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka Entertainment, serves as a fascinating counterpoint to the grandiosity of "The Godfather." Rather than polishing the narratives with grandeur, Fleischer paints the mafia world with a raw, street-smart personality, shedding any romantic illusions. While the movie lacks the star power and epic sweep of Coppola's classic, it features solid performances from Anthony Quinn, Robert Forster, Frederic Forrest, and Al Lettieri. The film emphasizes the mundane brutality and pragmatism within the mob life, presenting killings almost as tedious business transactions. This deliberate lack of glamour underlines the notion that being a mobster is a perilous and often thankless occupation.

Based on Marvin H. Albert's novel, Fleischer's interpretation takes us into the violent power struggle ignited by Don Angelo DiMorra's (Quinn) romantic entanglement with Ruby Dune (Angel Tompkins), who is secretly involved with Frank Regalbuto (Forster). When Frank discovers this affair, it triggers a deadly gang war orchestrated cunningly by Luigi Orlando (Charles Cioffi). Despite following some conventional mafioso tropes, the narrative twists with the ironic instigation of conflict over an alleged love affair, setting it apart in the gangster genre. The pragmatic betrayals and executions unfold with a clear emphasis on business, void of any heroic or redeeming qualities typically associated with crime dramas.

The cast contributes significantly to the film’s gritty texture. Quinn imbues Don Angelo with dignity and impending tragedy, while Forster’s portrayal of Frank’s intense rage propels the story into tumultuous violence. Forrest and Lettieri play the contrasting Fargo Brothers with compelling chemistry. Supporting performances by Angel Tompkins, Louis Zorich, Ina Balin, and Abe Vigoda enrich the chaotic world of crime portrayed. Fleischer’s "The Don is Dead" strips away the romanticism associated with mobsters, presenting a tribe of backstabbing figures ensnared in a violent, thankless world driven by power and survival.

The Don is Dead on Blu-ray offers a stark and unromanticized glimpse into the world of organized crime, stripped of the glamour that films like The Godfather and Scarface imbue. Directed by Richard Fleischer, the film portrays a gritty reality where loyalty and honor are illusionary concepts, replaced by survival tactics marked by pragmatism, backstabbing, and relentless violence. This realistic depiction may not have the broad appeal of its more polished counterparts, but it provides an authentic look at the chaotic and brutal dynamics of crime syndicates. The film's unlikable characters and unsympathetic scenarios underline the harsh truths about organized crime, making it compelling in its own right.

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release of this film utilizes the same older master previously employed by Eureka Entertainment for its Region-B edition. While the HD transfer brings significant improvements compared to older DVD versions, the master itself exhibits limitations that may be noticeable to discerning viewers. Kino Lorber compensates for this with a thoughtfully curated commentary track, offering a deeper dive into the film’s production and thematic substance. This enhancement adds value for both first-time viewers and those considering an upgrade from the Universal DVD.

In conclusion, The damage great films like The Godfather and Scarface have done on mainstream perceptions about mobsters in America is truly incalculable. They legitimized lifestyles and values that were essentially incompatible with the real world of organized crime, where loyalty and honor for instance meant very little and life was as cheap as a pack of cigarettes. (In case you have any doubts that it is so, spend a night with Whitey: United States of America V. James J. Bulger). Richard Fleischer's The Don is Dead comes much closer to the truth, which is precisely the reason why it lacks the glamour of The Godfather and Scarface. What its unlikable characters do is essentially a lot of pragmatic backstabbing and killing that weed out the weaker and naive amongst them. The survivors then keep rearranging their interests until the next wave of disputes and bloody troubles disrupt the business, exactly as it used to happen in the real world. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from the same older and unconvincing master that Eureka Entertainment worked with to produce its Region-B release of The Don is Dead. If you want it in your collection, find a way to rent and test it first, and then consider a purchase.