Blood Red ** (1989, Eric Roberts, Giancarlo Giannini, Dennis Hopper, Burt Young) – Classic Movie Review 13,321

Dennis Hopper stars as a nasty developer, the corrupt railroad tycoon William Bradford Berrigan, who battles people’s champion Marco Collogero (Eric Roberts), in this historical tale of a Sicilian family of capable winemakers in 19th-century California, who refuse to leave their land.

An interesting, well-acted drama always maintains the attention, even if the real excitement and epic sweep you might expect are not there. Typically eccentric performances from the two stars Roberts and Hopper are engaging if not always truthful, and there is plenty of interest among an intriguing support cast, including the director’s wife Carlin Glynn as Miss Jeffreys, Al Ruscio as Antonio Segestra, Michael Madsen as Enzio, and Elias Koteas as Silvio.

Julia Roberts makes her début in a small role as her real-life brother’s sister, Maria Collogero. It is the only movie to feature the two of them. And there is an appearance by the late Aldo Ray, as Father Stassio.

It was shot in 1986 but unreleased till 1989.

Shooting took place at the Picchetti Brothers Winery in Cupertino, California.

Release date: August 18, 1989 (US).

Released in Britain by Hemdale Film Corporation on April 11, 1990.

The cast

The cast are Eric Roberts as Marco Collogero, Giancarlo Giannini as Sebastian Collogero, Dennis Hopper as William Bradford Berriganm Burt Young as Andrews, Carlin Glynn as Miss Jeffreys, Lara Harris as Angelica, Joseph Runningfox as Samuel Joseph, Al Ruscio as Antonio Segestra, Michael Madsen as Enzio, Elias Koteas as Silvio, Francesca De Sapio as Rosa Collogero, Marc Lawrence as Michael Fazio, Frank Campanella as Dr Scola, Aldo Ray as Father Stassio, Gary Swanson as Senator Willard Endicott, Susan Anspach as Widow, Kevin Cooney as Mayor Riggs, Julia Roberts as Maria Collogero, and Charles Dierkop as Cooper.

Peter Masterson (born Carlos Bee Masterson Jr.; June 1, 1934 – December 18, 2018)

In 1985, Peter Masterson directed The Trip to Bountiful, for which Geraldine Page won the Academy Award for Best Actress. The film also features his wife, Carlin Glynn. He is the father of Mary Stuart Masterson.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,321

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