Sinatra | Philip Casnoff, Olympia Dukakis

Sinatra | Philip Casnoff, Olympia Dukakis | Sinatra

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Sinatra

	Sinatra Philip Casnoff, Olympia Dukakis Warner Home Video, 1992 average customer review:based on 13 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

The Emmy-winning telefilm about singer/actor Frank Sinatra's remarkable life, with over two-dozen Sinatra standards and a remarkable cast headed by Philip Casnoff, Olympia Dukakis, and Marcia Gay Harden. Year: 1992 Director: James Sadwith Starring: Philip Casnoff, Olympia Dukakis, Joe Santos

In a Fan's Opinion

When you have read about 150 of the books, seen over thirty of the movies, several documentaries and TV shows, heard over sixty radio shows, searched the Internet for hour upon untold hour, read interviews and magazine articles and quotes and tributes and reviews and heard the music over and over and over times ten again, and loved every second of it, you are what is generally known as a fan. I am a fan. Of course, when you consider that the subject matter is Frank Sinatra that's hardly a unique thing to be, even when the vast majority of other fans are over 50 and you are 14. But, in any case, the point is I'm biased. I am biased because having read BOTH Kitty Kelly's and Nancy and Tina Sinatra's books, and actually knowing the facts and loving the music I, being a fan, come up with the RIDICULOUS statement that Frank Sinatra was not an a.)vicious monster b.)pathetic loser or c.) gangster.
In many people's eyes that makes me either a blind little idiot or one step down from insane. Actually, it's true. Finally there is a film to help prove my point. ''Sinatra'' is magnificent. It is casually mentioned that the production was okayed by Frank Sinatra. That is a far bigger deal than they make it out to be. His simple ''all right, go ahead,'' makes this, apart from the music, the closest thing to an autobiography ever made. And Frank Sinatra was many things, but intentional liar was not among them.
Philip Casnoff is brilliant. Other than, well, Sinatra, it's impossible to even imagine any other actor playing Frank Sinatra. His resemlance to Sinatra in profile shots set in the forties is uncanny, and his perfomance is nearly faultless. The changes from vulnerability to anger to tenderness to charm to violence are seamless. He captures the edge, the fire, the intelligence. In other words, he's nearly perfect. Nearly. But after all, not everyone can look right in a cocked hat. He can't.
Other than Frank Sinatra, much of the casting is rather coincidental. The actresses playing Nancy Sinatra, Ava Gardner and Mia Farrow all first struck me as irritating, but they grow on you. The Rat Pack imitators are downright silly. But Olympia Dukakis as Dolly is appropriately tough and caring, the man portraying Dorsey makes you forget he isn't Tommy himself, and Marty Sinatra is exactly as you would imagine him in real life. Then, of course, is the very talented Rod Steiger as Sam Giancana.
The music is perfect. How could it not be? Other than a couple songs redone by Tom Burlinson(if that's how you spell it) and Frank Sinatra Jr., it's all the masterpieces. And, I didn't think it was possible, but I haven't been able to hear ''You Go to My Head,''and ''That's Life,'' and ''That Old Black Magic'' the same way since. It adds even more meaning to the already autobiographical ''It Was a Very Good Year.''
''Sinatra'' goes from 1925 to 1974, skipping a great deal in between. But after all, it is impossible to cover a 70-year career and 82-year life in one mini-series, and even more impossible considering that life and career are Frank Sinatra's, and therefore about ten of each rolled into one. However, this mini-series does it as well as is humanly possible. At least, in a ''fan's'' opinion.

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Sinatra

This is an excelent movie!! My family has watched it many times and don't get bored with it. It keeps you interested the whole time.

WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE ON DVD?????

LOVE IT! Fantastic job by Phil Casnoff....excellent. PLEASE PUT IT OUT ON DVD!!!!!

SINATRA NEEDS TO BE ON DVD!!!

My father was, and continues to be, a Sinatra fan! I originally bought this for him as a Christmas gift years ago and now would like a DVD version for myself! WHEN WILL THIS BE TURNED INTO DVD FORMAT??!!!

I watched this with my Pop, and with him being around during the Sinatra era (and even emulating the way he used to dress---right down to the hat!), my father says this is about as accurate of Sinatra's life as you can get!

There were times when Philip Casnoff looked so much like Frankie that it was scary! He did an AMAZING job with his portrayal!!!

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Interesting cast, fabulous music!

This is a miniseries which deserves a rerun on cable. The movie highlights Sinatra's rise to the top, giving more emphasis to his early struggles rather than the more well known Vegas years. I would not have thought to cast Phillip Casnoff as Sinatra but he was surprisingly good at mimicking Sinatra's moves. Caught from some angles he really looked the part, showing off Sinatra's signature jawline and angular features. Olympia Dukakis however was a real gem as spunky Dolly Sinatra. One switch I would have made is to cast Marcia Gay Harden as sedate housewife Nancy and Gina Gershon as love goddess Ava Gardner, instead of vice-versa. Overall, watch this for a great cast, wonderful story, and the use of many, many of Sinatra's fabulous music.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

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