The Last Don
 First edition | |
| Author | Mario Puzo |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Crime novel |
| Publisher | Random House |
Publication date | 1996 |
| Media type | |
The Last Don is a novel by Mario Puzo, best known as the author of The Godfather.[1]
The story alternates between the film industry and the Las Vegas Strip casinos, showing how the Mafia is linked to both.
Plot
The last plan of Don Domenico Clericuzio, an aging Mafia boss, is to eventually have his family enter the legitimate world and assimilate into American society. Twenty-five years later, his grandson Dante and grandnephew Croccifixio (Cross) make their way through life, and the eighty-year-old Don is semi-retired. Cross, who holds a majority share in a Las Vegas casino, is supposed to become the strong arm of the family. However, when he refuses to take part in the murder of an old friend, Dante is left to be the sole tough guy. Dante's greed for power and blood lead him to plan the elimination of his relatives, who are an obstacle to the desire to become as powerful as the old Don himself. Cross, who is aware of being on the black list, anticipates Dante's plans and catches him in a trap. Having acted against the family, he waits for the Don's vendetta, but, to his own surprise, his life is spared and he is only condemned to exile. The story concludes with the revelation that the Don had planned this outcome all along for the long-term survival of the family.
Mini-series
The Last Don is the basis for the 1997 CBS television miniseries of the same name written by Joyce Eliason and starring Joe Mantegna, Danny Aiello, and Daryl Hannah. In 1998, this was followed by The Last Don II. The Last Don III covers events following those described in the novel.
Cast
- Danny Aiello — Don Domenico Clericuzio
- Joe Mantegna — Joseph 'Pippi' De Lena
- Daryl Hannah — Athena Aquitane
- Jason Gedrick — Croccifixio 'Cross' De Lena
- Penelope Ann Miller — Nalene De Lena
- Rory Cochrane — Dante Clericuzio
- Robert Wuhl — Bobby Bantz
- K D Lang — Dita Tommey
- Kirstie Alley — Rose Marie Clericuzio
- David Marciano — Giorgio Clericuzio
- Michelle Burke — Claudia De Lena
- Conrad Dunn — Lia Vazzi
- David Gianopoulos: — Peter "Petie" Clericuzio
- Deno Frangopoulos: — Gauis
- Vincent Pastore — Dan Fuberta
- Seymour Cassel — Alfred Gronevelt
References
- ↑ "The Last Don by Mario Puzo". goodreads.com. Retrieved 2014-06-16.