Onassis: The Richest Man in the World (1988)

This production is very well done and scripted based on what his close family and companions thought of Onassis and his actions. The cast is well selected to fit biographically the roles in which they play with good music and costume. The film in details tells the biography of Onassis without any complications and concentrates on the key epochs and aspects of his life from a humble background in to one of the most richest people in history with his shipping company a role that came with his heritage as greece was the biggest maker of ships in Europe due to its history of a navy heritage Another good aspect was his sad but rich personal life especially his affairs and marriages and relations with his children and the powerful elites he mixed with. One negative aspect i did not like about this film was that it contained anti-Turkish bias. The Greeks are displayed as virtuous and innocent whilst in a time of occupation after world war one living side by side with the Turks. The Greeks invaded Turkey in 1920 when Onassis was a teenager and acted like the Nazis in Europe during world war two until they were defeated by nationalist resistance in 1923 so how come turks are "religious fascists" Other derogatory terms are that "Turkish Peasant" his own people would of called him Anatolian not Turkish and "Garbage from the gutters of Turkey" to say he was not like the Greeks of the European mainland.

This TV movie about the late Aristotle Onassis definitely is more of a melodramatic film about the former world's richest man's love relationships with Maria Callas and Jacqueline Kennedy rather than a biographical insight on the man himself. Basically,the viewer is treated to the complexities of his relationships like the on-and-off relationship he had with Maria and meeting the needs of Jackie like security and companionship especially after her husband,President John Kennedy and her brother- in- law,Bobby Kennedy were assassinated.The acting was great especially Raul Julia,Jane Seymour and Francesca Ennis - who played Onassis,Callas and Jackie respectively.It definitely was able to cover up the film's shortcomings.Added to that, the viewer will definitely be entertained with their performances as it became central to the biographical film rather than knowing more about Onassis himself in terms of his business success and the attributes that he had that made him once the richest man in the world.

The death of Raul Julia closed the door to a career still peaking. This film provides one of his great showcases, and fans will savor his powerhouse performance. Taken as a Citizen Kane-type film about a self-made Greek billionaire, this is very entertaining and would be an excellent story. However, as a biography of Aristotle Onassis it falls flat.For starters, Julia looks nothing like Onassis. He's the wrong height, build, nationality, and is certainly much handsomer. Though great to watch, he never is able to convince you that he is Onassis. But since Julia was usually cast in showy supporting roles, admirers will appreciate this film for his wealth of dialogue and emotion.Supporting cast is unimpressive. Elias Koteas is awkward in his first-act showcase as young Aristotle, and I can't see how Jane Seymour received an Emmy for her overblown performance, while Julia was not even nominated. Francisca Annis fairs better as Jackie Kennedy, but the presentation of Jackie is too quaint for it's own good, all information provided can be found in an encyclopedia entry.Oddly enough, Anthony Quinn as Julia's father looks significantly more like Onassis than Julia, but his hammy appearance indicates why he would not have served well in the main role.Recommended strongly for fans of Raul Julia, everyone else would probably not be interested.

I have yet to see a better ensemble of actors/actresses portraying the life around the Great Greek Tycoon & his relationship w/ the Kennedys' & especially Jackie O. Anthony Quinn & Raul Julia are superb in their roles & the many many cast members are simply divine in their realm. It is rather surprising that this movie extraordinare was made for TV & never reached the big screen. But as we all now, there are many great flicks which never made the big Hollywood bucks & which should be remembered for a very long time. I highly suggest that, if you can somehow get your hands on this piece, to really free an evening & enjoy this great movie. **** out of 4