#Aspen 03 (1977) - 10/10
Dark ending to excellent mini-series from #RoyHuggins Productions.

1️⃣ The overall storyline is adapted from 2 unrelated novels, one by #BurtHirschfeld, one by #BartSpicer. That becomes very apparent here in the first hour when the #TonyFranciosa plot (Hirschfeld book) becomes dominant.

2️⃣ Franciosa’s charming-but-unscrupulous businessman goes to extreme/illegal lengths to acquire land from #JohnMcIntire. He needs the land for a million-dollar development deal, but he

And it’s thrilling stuff every step of the way. The scenes where gets the upper hand are delicious. I pressed re-wind and watched them again. Sterling performances from everybody in the room.

4️⃣ Side note: As a huge, lifelong fan of #TheNameOfTheGame it’s great fun to see #TonyFranciosa and #GeneBarry sharing the screen in another project. But their characters here are bad guys.

📺 My 360th #TVReview of 2023. Averaging 2h12m of TV, per day.

2️⃣ We don’t get to the actual murder here, but we do get plenty of sordid backstory. Both of the men, and their best friends (#RogerDavis & #BoHopkins), are in love with various women (including #DebiRichter & #JessicaHarper) who string them along and ultimately don’t seem to care for them. At all.

3️⃣ Cast is jam-packed with big names, and most get their moment in the spotlight. #GeneBarry is a bullying millionaire developer, #TonyFranciosa is a drug kingpin. #JohnHouseman is... John Houseman.