Name: Kojak : Error Fatal
Director: Richard Compton
Genre: Drama, TV Movie, Thriller, Crime
Released: 1989-11-30
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 8
Cast: Telly Savalas, Andre Braugher, Angie Dickinson, Steven Weber, George Morfogen

Telly Savalas shaved his head for THIS? A '89 TV movie where the lollipop cop meets his ex while the Mob plots. Peak Savalas sarcasm.

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Telly Savalas shaved his head for THIS? A '89 TV movie where the lollipop cop meets his ex while the Mob plots. Peak Savalas sarcasm.

Watch(US)

Retro cop cheeseNostalgia baitTelly's comeback tour

Overview

Drama TV Movie Thriller Crime

Investigating the murder of a writer responsible for a Mob exposed, Kojak discovers that the dead man's wife is an old flame.

Content warning

Second chances that crash and burnJournalism vs organized crimeThe cost of exposing truthRomantic nostalgia as trap

Standout Aspects

Acting

Savalas still owns the screen; Dickinson brings vintage glamour.

Production

Late-'80s NYC location shooting with authentic grime.

Best for:Streaming·Rewatch·Background

Heads up:Violence

Director

Richard Compton

ReleasedNov 30, 1989

Runtime1h 34m

StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady

Intensitymedium

Tonemixed

Feelmedium

Top Cast

Telly Savalas

Lieutenant Theo Kojak

Andre Braugher

Detective Winston Blake

Angie Dickinson

Carolyn Payton

Steven Weber

Conrad St. John

George Morfogen

Moose

Charles Cioffi

Chief George Morris

Richard Jenkins

Joel Litkin

Paul Guilfoyle

Hood

Kario Salem

Detective Paco Montana

Don King

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

This was Savalas's final performance as Kojak; he died four years later. The lollipop budget alone was apparently $200.

Cultural

Shot during the peak of TV movie nostalgia mining—Columbo, Rockford, and Kojak all got revival films. Most aged like milk; this one's curiously watchable.