Jonathon Dabell The photography is accomplished, the acting is quite good, but in virtually every other department The Greek Tycoon is a dreary bore. Taking its inspiration from the real-life love affair of Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis, the film is a glossy but absolutely empty soap opera of the kind that can be found on TV all day long. Viewers who embrace the whole "celebrity magazine culture" (paparazzi photographs and gossipy stories about the rich and famous) will undoubtedly find much to whet their appetite here. But those who prefer films with a bit more substance and craft and quirkiness will find the 107 minute running time a butt-numbing slog.American president James Cassidy (James Franciscus) and his beautiful wife Liz (Jacqueline Bisset) are in Greece on official business. A ridiculously wealthy Greek shipping tycoon, Theo Tomasis (Anthony Quinn), catches sight of Liz at a party at his elegant manor. Despite the fact that both of them are married to someone else, there is an immediate attraction between them. Later, at a private party aboard his yacht, Tomasis makes his desires known to Liz. Some while later, President Cassidy is assassinated whilst out strolling on a beach. Liz is shocked and saddened by his death, but it isn't long before she seeks comfort in the arms of her Greek lover Tomasis. Eventually the two of them are married and their love affair becomes a favourite talking point for the world's newspapers, magazines, photographers and wags.It is somewhat amusing to note the vigour with which the producers of this film denied that it was a dramatisation of the Kennedy-Onassis story. They wanted the film to be seen as an original story, rooted in fiction. But anyone with a brain can see where the movie is drawing its inspiration from. Even Aristotle Onassis himself knew The Greek Tycoon amounted to his love-life getting the Hollywood treatment (if rumours are to be believed, he actually had a hand in approving Anthony Quinn for the Tomasis role!) J. Lee-Thompson isn't really the right sort of director for this type of movie – he's better suited to action fodder like The Guns Of Navarone and Ice Cold In Alex – but he marshals the proceedings with an uninspired, professional adequacy. Quinn is very watchable as Tomasis; Bisset looks lovely as the object of his desires; Franciscus uses his toothy smile and a façade of integrity to make for a believable politician. Their performances are good on the surface, but there's little for the actors to do on any deeper level. Similarly, Tony Richmond's photography gives the film an elegant surface sheen as it moves from one exotic locale to the next, but the merest of scratches proves that there's nothing behind the film's glossy exterior.

MRC012370 I hadn't seen this movie in many years, but have viewed it on On Demand cable recently. I don't know why the critics blasted it. Actually, it was well acted, and overall, well done. The film depicted important events, such as the JFK assassination, the Kennedy-Onasis marriage agreement, Mr Onasis' son's plane crash, and other events. Being a history major, and having done extensive research on the Kennedys, and knowing the background, I would say that the movie, while not perfect, was certainly entertaining. The music and themes were very good, and I would recommend seeing this movie.MRC

preppy-3 Thinly disguised story about the marriage of Jacqueline Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis. In this Anthony Quinn plays Theo Tomasis a Greek millionaire with some shady dealings. He meets Liz Cassidy (Jacqueline Bisset) and falls in love--but she's married to President James Cassidy (James Franciscus). He's killed and she goes to Onassis...you know the rest of the story.This was a huge hit in 1978 but destroyed by the critics. I think they were angry because the filmmakers kept insisting this was NOT about Kennedy and Onassis (which it most certainly was). Facts were changed (Onassis had a daughter in real life, here it's a son) and events but it was still pretty obvious. The characters themselves are treated very well. Bisset plays Cassidy as a beautiful, frightened, vulnerable yet strong woman. Quinn plays Tomasis as vulgar, stubborn but strong and learning how to love. Also Quinn has an infectious laugh and hams it up in an enjoyable way.There's also beautiful scenery and a wonderful score. These combined with the acting push this across. No cinematic masterpiece but a pretty good love story if you can ignore the Kennedy-Onassis connection. I give it a 7.

Michael J. Skarpelos This movie serves up every imaginable Greek stereotype. In one particularly galling scene the tycoon says "I'm just an ignorant peasant." As the grandson of Greek peasant immigrants who passed on a legacy of wisdom and love to their children and grandchildren, I found this movie contemptible and odious.