El griego de oro

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.

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.

I suppose, it is one of films very easy to be critic about it. Or it is one of perfect options for the ladies loving soap operas.

In my case, it is one of the films of my childhood who I preserve a good memory. Not for comparation between characters and real people but for beautiful work, noble effort of Jacqueline Bisset and Anthony Quinn to propose fair interpretations of characters , a love story not so unrealistic , a nice paralel with what can be imagined about relation Bouvier - Kennedy - Onassis .

It is just, in profound sense, a beautiful film about mature love , acted with elegance.

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...