Blood Feud

So many people have played Jimmy Hoffa over the years, but I thought Robert Blake did the best characterization I've seen. All of the other actors who played him seemed like those actors portraying Jimmy Hoffa. Blake actually disappears into the part.

So why is this old film forgotten and never shown? Two reasons, probably. First, it was a made for TV movie and so many of those are buried in obscurity and rights problems. The other reason is the fact that Blake plays Hoffa, and since the scandal of him possibly/probably being mixed up in the oh so convenient death of his wife, though acquitted, so many of his appearances have just been relegated to obscurity.

The actor playing Robert Kennedy was actually pretty good too. It helped that actor Cotter Smith looked a great deal like Kennedy to begin with. Of course, some things were over dramatized and outright fictional for the sake of dramatic license, but still, if you ever get the chance to see it, I would say it is time well spent.

For those of you that think Blake can only do "Barretta," watch this film the next time it is on television. Blake proves that he really is an excellent actor, when he tries. Blake's performance as Teamster Boss Jimmy Hoffa really does steal this show as this performance was, by far, the best he'd ever done up to that point. Originally shown as a 2-part mini-series, this movie depicts the epic battle between then-Teamster Boss Hoffa and the politically ambitious John F. Kennedy, the charismatic young Senator from Boston. Cotter Smith, a then unknown young actor, gave an equally strong performance as Bobby Kennedy, the younger brother of JFK, an idealistic lawyer himself, who fought for years to finally bring down Hoffa and send him to prison. Sam Groom gave his usual great performance as Senator, then President John F. Kennedy, who told Bobby that he didn't "want to be seen as anti-labor," while grooming himself for a run for the Presidency, wanting Bobby to be careful with his investigation of Hoffa. Glossy at times, this film strives hard to take a tough, gritty look at the battle between the Kennedys and Hoffa and succeeds in most aspects. Sadly, the Kennedys and Hoffa died for their beliefs and, (I believe) as a direct result of this battle. You'll have to see this movie on television as it has never been released on VHS. My rating out of 10: 8.5

Great production values for a TV miniseries. Director Mike Newell shows great gusto in dealing with groups of people, a trait which became even more evident as he went on to "Enchanted April," "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Pushing Tin." The supporting cast does distinguished work.

Cotter Smith is daring in his first venture outside series TV when he borrows so many of Robert Kennedy's unsympathetic mannerisms, and he certainly can't be accused of holding back. Unfortunately, he's missing the undisputed charisma of RFK and worse, he's up against Robert Blake as Hoffa.

Evil is always more interesting than good, and Blake has a lifetime of scene-stealing behind him. He's fifteen years past "In Cold Blood" here, and at the top of his game. He's a madman spouting hypocrisy so well that while he's talking you might believe him. You definitely can't take your eyes off him. In the acting duel, as opposed to real life, Kennedy doesn't stand a chance here.

So it's worthwhile viewing, but remember afterwards, after Kennedy was killed by a Palestinian gunman, RFK's lifetime of work for civil rights and against crime left the world a better place.

And as Jimmy Hoffa slumbers peacefully under the 50-yard line at Meadowlands Stadium, remember that he stole recklessly from his union membership, and connived at far worse crimes than that. Nixon may have pardoned him, but we don't have to.

Talk about a performance. I just saw this movie on Fox Movie for the first time in years. And I am still blown away by Roberts Blakes rendition of Hoffa. To me he has always been under-rated. But during his recent problems I hear that even though he is a pain in a neck he was always thought of as a good actor.

Someone else stated that Nicholson is not as good with his performance as Hoffa, I agree. I remember Jimmy Hoffa and Blake comes the closet. Also I think this is much better movie(previously a mini series) then Nicholson's Hoffa. This movie was right in your face and it pulled no punches about Bobby Kennedy. Who I have heard was not a very nice person at all, this movie shows that. No matter how we feel about Kennedy as a politician, as a person he was not a charmer. Over the years his personality has become more well known. All through the movie Cotter Smith who is the best Bobby Kennedy I have ever seen made me want to slap him. I was actually rooting for Hoffa! It did make me think he was so out of reach from the average person that if it was anyone else that was after Hoffa they would of been more successful in getting him.

When Blake toward the end of the movie states to Kennedy in a tour de force performance of desperation on the telephone, that while he was so obsessed in catching him he forgot about his protecting his own brother I said to myself, he got that right. Kennedy was so arrogant that I don't think in real life it ever even occurred to him. But if Hoffa did indeed say that to him it must of hit him like a ton of bricks. Just like his arrogance about the FBI where in another scene when he gets Bitch Slapped by the Biggest Bitch in the world J Edgar Hoover over Castro's attempted assassination he didn't see it coming. BTW Ernest Borgnine is excellent as Hoover. I don't know why never saw him in that part before or after.

All in all it is the best movie I have seen about Robert Kennedy and Jimmy Hoffa. But if Kennedy did act this way in real life he comes off as a Patrician who was oblivious to everything around him and was obsessed with a mobster when he should of been interested in other things. I almost wondered if he wanted to become President just to get to Hoffa. Because he let Hoffa control his politics. When actually Hoffa comes off as a person scared to go to jail (gee who isn't)flawed but seemingly loyal to his men. I am not to sure about that. But his son was able to become the President of the Teamsters years later. So maybe his legacy was a good one.

Good movie. Too bad it is not out on DVD or even Tape!

A Crusade against communism isn't working so the senators decide to pick on the unions instead. Newly installed Teamster president Jimmy Hoffa is on target as soon as he forced his indolent predecessor out. Unlike the Kennedys who'd like to appear to be pro-labour, Hoffa is a 100% pro union, winning in 1960 the best wage increase ever in an industry wide pact.

Enter snivelling Bobby Kennedy. He's out to get Hoffa by hook or by crook. Are they bound for mutual self-destruction? There's an excellent view of the utter cynicism in the hidden back passageways of power: "we can't fight communism so lets bust unions," says one Senator to John Kennedy.