Mob thriller owes much to "The Godfather"
Released a year after Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather,” “The Don Is Dead” deals with similar subject matter but without the finesse and sharp writing of that classic. Nonetheless, it offers some solid performances, a few unanticipated twists, and plenty of well staged action.<br /><br />The death of a Las Vegas Mafia don initiates a grab for power among rival operations. Aging mob boss Don Angelo (Anthony Quinn) judges that the son of the deceased don, Frank Regalbuto (Robert Forster, “Jackie Brown”), is too young, brash, and inexperienced to head a crime family. Seeing a chance to stir up discord, Luigi Orlando (Charles Cioffi) masterminds an affair between the Don and Frank’s girlfriend, Ruby (Angel Tompkins), an aspiring singer. Frank’s violent jealousy sparks a power struggle between him and the Don that draws in the Fargo brothers, Tony (Frederic Forrest) and Vince (Al Lettieri).<br /><br />One of the film’s earliest scenes sets the plot in motion. It’s a meeting of the family heads and their associates. Each of the participants puts forth a proposal about how to replace the deceased don, but it is Don Angelo who is most eloquent as he proposes a plan that all find acceptable, if not exactly what they want.<br /><br />As the film plays out, similarities to “The Godfather” become more clearly defined. Don Angelo’s wisdom echoes Brando’s Don Vito Corleone. Frank’s hotheadedness reminds us of James Caan’s Sonny. Tony, the intelligent operative who wants out of the gangster world, follows a dramatic arc similar to Al Pacino’s Michael. Abe Vigoda (Tessio in “The Godfather”) even pops up as a gangster underling.<br /><br />Quinn has a commanding presence as Don Angelo and makes quite an impression with his monologue at the mob summit. Looking suave with his silver hair and tailored suit, he could pass for an influential businessman. Don Angelo has come up through the crime family and holds a revered place. With a self-assured yet never imperious manner, knowing the weight of his opinion, he proposes a compromise that his fellow crime bosses are sure to accept. Unfortunately, his character is relegated to the background as the film progresses and emphasis falls more on the younger characters, especially the hotheaded Frank and the reluctant Tony.<br /><br />Frank resents being sidestepped for a position he feels he deserves and he’s easily manipulated to violence. His emotions trump clear thinking, which is his Achilles heel. Tony, far smarter than his muscle-bound brother, sees no future in crime and longs for a life in which he won’t have to constantly look over his shoulder.<br /><br />Director Richard Fleischer (“The Boston Strangler”) gives the film a brisk pace and includes a number of exciting action sequences, adding tremendously to its production value. These involve fist fights, shoot-outs, explosions, and chases. Though the cast is large, relationships are clearly defined and performances first-rate.<br /><br />The primary drawback is that the movie so closely resembles “The Godfather.” Though there are variations, the bones of the film are close to the Coppola film. Testosterone driven,”The Don Is Dead” treats women as objects solely for the pleasure of their men. No female character, including Ruby, is fully developed and the total screen time for female characters is minimal. Though set in Las Vegas, “The Don Is Dead” doesn’t really exploit the location. Many key scenes were filmed on the Universal backlot and look it. Violence and blood are plentiful and often seem gratuitous.<br /><br />Though it’s an OK action drama, ”The Don Is Dead” lacks distinction and an individual director’s signature. Director Fleischer has made some compelling  films but here he is merely a competent journeyman. The movie has the veneer of a dressed-up B picture with a name actor topping the cast to elevate its status.<br /><br />Bonus materials on the R-rated Blu-ray release include an audio commentary and theatrical trailers.
The movie title "The Don is Dead," available on Movies & TV, has received an average rating of 4.0 from 91 reviewers. 
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The additional details include the following in key-value format :
 {"MPAA rating": "R (Restricted)", "Product Dimensions": "0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 2.72 Ounces", "Media Format": "Anamorphic", "Run time": "1 hour and 55 minutes", "Release date": "March 9, 2021", "Actors": "Anthony Quinn, Robert Forster, Frederic Forrest", "Studio": "Kl Studio Classics", "Country of Origin": "USA", "Number of discs": "1"}

Here is a brief synopsis of the title : From Richard Fleischer, the outstanding director of The Narrow Margin, Compulsion, The Boston Strangler and Mr. Majestyk, comes this action-packed mob classic starring screen legend Anthony Quinn (Across 110th Street). Power Built an Empire… Passion Destroyed It! When the reigning Don dies, a bloody, all-out power struggle ensues to determine who will be the next Capo. Don Angelo (Quinn), a notorious crime czar, is poised to take control of the Syndicate. But when he discovers that an ambitious lieutenant (Robert Forster, Jackie Brown) from his own family has become a rival for the love of his beautiful mistress, the Don vows to turn the streets red with the blood of the traitor, triggering an internal mob war of wills and weapons in this hard-hitting tale of betrayal, ambition and revenge. Based on a novel by Marvin H. Albert (Duel at Diablo) and co-starring Frederic Forrest (Hammett), Al Lettieri (The Getaway), Joe Santos (TV’s The Rockford Files), Abe Vigoda (Newman’s Law), Victor Argo (Taxi Driver), Sid Haig (Busting) and Vic Tayback (Special Delivery).Special Features:-NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian and Critic Sergio Mims -Theatrical Trailer -Dual-Layered BD50 Disc -Optional English Subtitles.