The Don Is Dead (1973)

 

Richard Fleischer's 1973 gangster saga is getting a Blu-ray release courtesy of Eureka.

When Las Vegas crime boss Don Regalbuto dies, his son Frank (Robert Forster sporting more hair here than he would in Lewis Teague's ALLIGATOR in a couple of years' time) attends a meeting of the city's three rival gangster families to learn the other two are going to split the Don's territory with Don Angelo DiMorra (Anthony Quinn) adopting Frank as his son who will inherit in due course.

But Luigi Orlando (Charles Cioffi) and his partner Marie (Jo Anne Meredith) want the entire territory for themselves, and they put into motion a plan that results in repeated and bloody confrontation.

Richard Fleischer, veteran director of movies like THE VIKINGS, FANTASTIC VOYAGE and CONAN THE DESTROYER had just finished SOYLENT GREEN when he moved onto THE DON IS DEAD, a film  that was very much Universal's answer to Francis Ford Coppola's THE GODFATHER. Like that movie it's a high-end gangster picture with a high profile cast that also includes Frederic Forrest, Vic Tayback and Sid Haig in a tiny role at the beginning. This, combined with a decent budget and Fleischer's skill means THE DON IS DEAD is essential viewing for fans of the genre, even though it's not as well known as some. 

Eureka's Blu-ray comes with a commentary track from Scott Harrison and a trailer, plus you also get a booklet featuring a lengthy essay on the crime films of Richard Fleischer by Barry Forshaw.

Richard Fleischer's THE DON IS DEAD is out on Blu-ray from Eureka on Monday 18th January 2021

The Vikings (1958)

"Gorgeous 1080p Presentation of an All-Time Classic"

Richard Fleischer's epic, colourful, action-packed version of life among the Vikings (well, as he and especially Kirk Douglas decided to present it) gets a UK Blu-ray release courtesy of Eureka.

Medieval England. During a raid to Northumbria, Viking chieftain Ragnar (Ernest Borgnine) rapes Queen Enid (Maxine Audley), who ends up giving birth in secret (I think) to Eric. She has no other children and as her husband is already dead, sneering villain Aella (Frank Thring) takes the throne.

Time passes, enough for Eric to grow into Tony Curtis who is now a slave to Ragnar's family, which includes Ragnar's other son, Einar (Kirk Douglas). Naughty Egbert (James Donald) is willing to sell out the English and draw maps so the Vikings can kidnap Aella's intended, Morgana (Janet Leigh), and ransom her for lots of money. Needless to say, both sons (who don't know that they are brothers) fancy Morgana and the initially successful kidnap attempt goes a bit wrong, leading to a great big fight that's just great.

THE VIKINGS is a classic. Cleverly and imaginatively directed by Fleischer, with beautiful photography from Jack Cardiff, dramatic European locations and some fine production design, it's a film that, despite its epic status, moves a lot faster than some of the more sluggish school history book-style epics of the period. Highly popular father and son viewing, this was certainly where I learned that a Viking can only get into Valhalla if he dies with a sword in his hand. 

The Vikings as a whole are portrayed as a jolly bunch who spend most of their time laughing uproariously at pretty much anything, especially if it involves violence. Plus you get the delights of Janet Leigh playing a Welsh princess, Kirk, Tony and Ernest as Vikings, and plenty of well-staged battle sequences that are still immensely entertaining.

          Eureka's Blu-ray includes A Tale of Norway, which is a 28 minute archival making of presented by the director. You also get a new talking head piece from Sheldon Hall where he talks about the production, how and where it was made, and amongst other things takes apart that lovely three-minute single take at the start of the film just in case you haven't realised how brilliant it is. Trailer, reversible sleeve, booklet with posters and more, make this worth getting, but most of all get it because it's THE VIKINGS on Blu-ray! How can anyone say no to this, and risk not getting into Blu-ray Valhalla?

Richard Fleischer's THE VIKINGS is out on UK Blu-ray on Monday 16th October 2017