L'empire du Grec

I remember the erstwhile BBC reviewer, Barry Norman, opining that Anthony Quinn's portrayal of Theo (Ari?) had 'all the appeal of an armpit'. One or two other reviewers over the years have rather dismissed Quinn as 'overrated'. Be that as it may, I thought the great actor played his part, at times, both sensitively and sympathetically. And, of course, Jackie Bisset remains a good enough reason to watch a movie.

Anthony Quinn is perfectly cast in the role of a wealthy Greek aristocrat to Jacqueline Bisset's rich American widow. Set in the 1970s, the acting is passable though not fantastic. Quinn's turn is the best, though, as he plays an emotional, powerful man who is used to having his way in and out of the boardroom. Thinly veiled plot, you can figure out what is going to happen in the movie during the first few minutes, but it is worth sitting through for the scenery of the Greek islands. Even if the volume is turned to mute, it is nice to see how rich and famous frolic aboard yachts, in pools and on the beach. Serious film critics might just see this film as a glorified television movie of the week.

There is a scene in "The Greek Tycoon" that I consider the best scene of the film…

It was Sunset... The sun was disappearing below the horizon... The sea at its ever-changing wave style... The waves—in all its moods, clear and calm, mysterious, awesomely threatening— were beating under the old rocks...

Anthony Quinn (fabulous as always) was standing alone in front of this wonderful view...

The sky was offering the best looking effects of red and yellow lights... In the horizon some pale clouds were escorting the sun to another world... Tomasis was truly flavoring the moment... The beauty of this great view invited him to dance, to slowly move his hands and legs, to feel the fresh air, to hear the sound of music, to smell the salt of the sea...

Tomasis' dance was a farewell to a world he cherished… This beautiful scene makes me meditate about human life: God's 'greatest gift'... Sometimes we forget this precious present...

Fictionalized account of the Greek shipping magnate, Theo Tomasis (Anthony Quinn) , Onassis lookalike , of humble beginnings , his wife, Simi Tomasis (Camilla Sparv) and his meeting and subsequent romance to the widow , Liz Cassidy/Jacqueline Kennedy (Jacqueline Bisset) , of assassinated U. S. president (James Franciscus). Theo dotes on his son, Nico Tomasis (Edward Albert) , a daredevil aviator , who he wants to follow in his footsteps in all aspects . Tomasis ends up divorcing Simi in order to marry his new lover . Then the distraught but vigorous widow of US President James Cassidy -who was assassinated while he and Liz were walking on a beach- marries the known playboy and shipping billionaire . Meantime, Tomasis and Liz Cassidy enjoying the high life in the process. He's one of the richest and most powerful men in the world. She's the beautiful wife of an American President. The world watched...She was the most famous woman in the world. He was a peasant, a pirate, a shark. What he couldn't buy with money he stole with charm

Fictitious semi-biography of the life of Aristotle Onassis, a Greek who rose to become one of the world's most wealthiest men , detailing his rise to power and unhappy marriages . Pointless fabrication to bring to life a known myth , dealing with the love story and marriage of Aristotle/Onassis and a certain president's widow . It seems to be a transparent depiction of the Onassis/Kennedy marriage done to a turn. The casting is formidable here for people so well known . Anthony Quinn gives a very nice acting in 'Zorba the Greek'-alike, including his popular dances , playing an aging Greek shipping magnate who works on his own moral code and eventually finds that money cannot buy happiness. Quinn is a good actor who captures the crude essence of Tomasis or Aristotles Onassis. While Jacqueline Bisset is awesome as the jealous and sweet Liz Cassidy/Jacqueline Kennedy. They are very well accompanied by a familar and international cast , such as : Marilù Tolo as Sophia Matalas or Maria Callas , Raf Vallone as Spiro Tomassis, the personal rival and alter ego of Aristotle's real life , Edward Albert , James Franciscus , Camilla Sparv , Charles Durning , Luciana Paluzzi , Robin Clarke as John Cassidy or Robert kennedy , Linda Thorson , Roland Culver and debut theatrical feature film of actresses Lucy Gutteridge and Cassandra Harris who married Pierce Brosnan , though she died early , at 49. These two powerful personalities , Onassis/Jacqueline , were so much alike their own passion . This ambitious film made for big screen in a co-production of ItalyUnited States and Greece follows the story of the two lovers faithfully . J. Lee Thomson made this spectacular film that puts the action in the places where the principals lived . The end result is a glossy look at that world of the ultra rich and famous people realized with great style and skillness enough. Overall this is worth watching because the subject matter is agreeable and the actors are first rate despite some physical differences and carried out in soap-opera style . A nice attempt to condense such an interesting man's life story that spans over twenty plus years of history into 107 min time capsule, though there's a DVD version running 112 minutes. Enjoyable and luxurious settings , charming musical score by Stanley Myers and colorful cinematography by Anthony B. Richmond in Technovision add only luster to tepid storyline . The motion picture was middlingly but professionally by the American craftsman J. Lee Thompson, though some critics even rate as good trash.

Other films about this famous figure are the following ones : ¨Onassis: The Richest Man in the World¨ (1988) by Warris Hussein Raul Julia as Aristotle Onassis , Jane Seymour as Maria Callas, Anthony Quinn as Socrates Onassis , Francesca Annis as Jacqueline Kennedy and Elias Koteas. ¨Callas e Onassis¨(2005) by Giorgo Capitani with Gérard Darmon, Luisa Ranieri , Anna Valle , Orso Maria Guerrini, Gabriele Ferzetti .

This thinly-veiled roman-a-clef depicts the story and courtship of Aristotle Onassis and Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis.

People who have no interest in the lives of such public figures will no doubt find this story tiresome and completely without merit. This film wasn't made for them. This film was made for people who couldn't and still can't, get enough about this most famous couple; the widow of Camelot and the Golden Greek.

Anthony Quinn reportedly met with Mr. Onassis prior to Onassis' death. Onassis figured that a film may be made about him and wanted Quinn to play the part of the shipping magnate. Quinn plays his part well and gives the audience a very fine performance of the character as we might imagine him to be.

Jackie Bisset as Jackie Kennedy-Onassis gives a very fine performance as what we would imagine Jackie O to be like. As many of us would not know the lifestyle of the people portrayed in this film, all the actors in the film give convincing performances and humanize their respective characters. Raf Vallone playing Spiro Tomassis, the alter ego of Onassis' real life business and personal rival, Stavros Niarchos is actually funny and has some very humorous lines which he delivers without fail.

The film as a whole accomplishes what it sets out to do very well and doesn't disappoint.