Blood Feud

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!

This was the absolute best of the Jimmy Hoffa portrayals. Robert Blake even beats Jack Nicholson's portrayal of Hoffa and that's saying a lot. Historically correct, well directed, paced, camera work, and casting. Casting was perfect. The highest tribute I can pay an actor is "he or she did not act the character BUT WAS THE CHARACTER! Looking at Blake was like watching Jimmy Hoffa and Cotter Smith gave the best portrayal of Bobby Kennedy ever. I had the chance to see and hear Hoffa speak in Michigan some time ago. I must state that he was truly a dynamic man.I wish wish this show returned periodically so all could view this magnificent production.

I watched "Blood Feud" when it first aired, do not recall it being a made-for-TV special, it was so good. Robert Blake gives a first-rate performance, superior to that of Nicholson's somewhat too-studied take in "Hoffa." At one point Blake/Hoffa is making a call from a phone booth (yep, a booth, where the doors close) and his rage is memorable--not mere screaming...restrained enough to make it compelling. At least for one viewer.

Aside from "In Cold Blood," this likely is Blake's best film work. The supporting cast is superb: Aiello, Dennehy, Hendrikson, Borgnine, Ferrer. "Blood Feud" may have been a two-parter shown on consecutive nights. I would love to buy this movie but can't find it.

Speaking of Hoffa films, Stallone's "F.I.S.T." was a fine but unappreciated effort. It did lousy business; at the time nobody seemed to want to see "Sly" as anything but R. Balboa. And that title didn't help; sounds like another fight movie. But "F.I.S.T." is available and often appears on TV movie subscription channels, unlike "Blood Feud," which is better.

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.