What makes it different from others?

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

There is a scene in "The Greek Tycoon" that I consider the best scene of the film… It was Sunset... The sun was disappearing below the horizon... The sea at its ever-changing wave style... The waves—in all its moods, clear and calm, mysterious, awesomely threatening— were beating under the old rocks...Anthony Quinn (fabulous as always) was standing alone in front of this wonderful view...The sky was offering the best looking effects of red and yellow lights... In the horizon some pale clouds were escorting the sun to another world... Tomasis was truly flavoring the moment... The beauty of this great view invited him to dance, to slowly move his hands and legs, to feel the fresh air, to hear the sound of music, to smell the salt of the sea...Tomasis' dance was a farewell to a world he cherished… This beautiful scene makes me meditate about human life: God's 'greatest gift'... Sometimes we forget this precious present...

I hadn't seen this movie in many years, but have viewed it on On Demand cable recently. I don't know why the critics blasted it. Actually, it was well acted, and overall, well done. The film depicted important events, such as the JFK assassination, the Kennedy-Onasis marriage agreement, Mr Onasis' son's plane crash, and other events. Being a history major, and having done extensive research on the Kennedys, and knowing the background, I would say that the movie, while not perfect, was certainly entertaining. The music and themes were very good, and I would recommend seeing this movie.MRC

Thinly disguised story about the marriage of Jacqueline Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis. In this Anthony Quinn plays Theo Tomasis a Greek millionaire with some shady dealings. He meets Liz Cassidy (Jacqueline Bisset) and falls in love--but she's married to President James Cassidy (James Franciscus). He's killed and she goes to Onassis...you know the rest of the story.This was a huge hit in 1978 but destroyed by the critics. I think they were angry because the filmmakers kept insisting this was NOT about Kennedy and Onassis (which it most certainly was). Facts were changed (Onassis had a daughter in real life, here it's a son) and events but it was still pretty obvious. The characters themselves are treated very well. Bisset plays Cassidy as a beautiful, frightened, vulnerable yet strong woman. Quinn plays Tomasis as vulgar, stubborn but strong and learning how to love. Also Quinn has an infectious laugh and hams it up in an enjoyable way.There's also beautiful scenery and a wonderful score. These combined with the acting push this across. No cinematic masterpiece but a pretty good love story if you can ignore the Kennedy-Onassis connection. I give it a 7.

I remember the erstwhile BBC reviewer, Barry Norman, opining that Anthony Quinn's portrayal of Theo (Ari?) had 'all the appeal of an armpit'. One or two other reviewers over the years have rather dismissed Quinn as 'overrated'. Be that as it may, I thought the great actor played his part, at times, both sensitively and sympathetically. And, of course, Jackie Bisset remains a good enough reason to watch a movie.