The Leopard (2004)

Good concept, poorly executed.

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

The Leopard (Italian: Il Gattopardo (The Serval)) (1963) Director: Luchino Visconti Watched: May 2018 Rating: 4/10 Tried to care, To like this treat for the eyes- Such lovely costumes and grandiose sets. But while my eyes were pleased, my brain was not. Italians- devout but at war. Bored. The mathematician Euclid considered the number series 1, 2, 3, 4 to have a mystical significance because the sum is 10; he named it a Tetractys. A Tetractys poem, therefore, follows a 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 syllable format. Any additional verses are written with an inverted syllable count. #Tetractys #DoubleTetractys #PoemReview #PalmedOr

one of films who are more than artistic delight, splendid result of a great director work or admirable adaptation. it is just an experience. not exactly aesthetically - few scenes remains memorably - but a poetic reflection about the change of times, about use of power in the most wise manner, about illusion and importance of love. romanticism, humor, Visconti's mark seems be details. the amazing detail, after so many time, is the choice of Burt Lancaster for be the lead character. and his delicate, precise, touching work. it could be the film of the last dance. but it is , more important, expression of a form of grace who only cinema must present in the right manner. a film who is more than legendary. because the reflection about our period remains the most seductive subject.

This known novel is magnificently brought to the screen with colorful images , impressive soundtrack , visually absorbing cinematography and sensitive as well as thoughtful events . An epic story dealing with Fabrizio Cordero , the Prince of Salina , the Leopard (Burt Lancaster , though 20th Century Fox asked Visconti to choose from among Anthony Quinn, Spencer Tracy and Lancaster ; Luchino wanted Laurence Olivier for the title role and he wanted to cast Nikolai Cherkasov , too). Salina is an upright aristocrat who attempts coming to terms with the new rulers of Sicily as well as overcome his family and class amid the troublesome social upheavals . Fabrizio observes the waning of his noble home and attempts to help build a new Sicily but his nephew Tancredi (Alain Delon , though Horst Buchholz turned down the role) , Prince of Falconeri (Alain Delon) assures his status by marrying Don Calogero Sedara's (Paolo Stoppa) gorgeous daughter Angelica (Claudia Cardinale) .Luchino Visconti's enduring romantic adventure deals with the tumultuous social upheavals of 1860's Sicily , and it is paced in slow and deliberate rhythm . The film traces the rising and falling of Fabrizio Corbero , Prince of Salina and the corresponding rise to eminence of the hugely wealthy ex-peasant Don Calogero . However , the film results to be overlong , it seems longer than its 187 minutes running time . Based on the classic novel written by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa , being scripted by Suso Cecchi D'Amico , Pasquale Festa Campanile and considered to be the best screen adaptation ever . Such was Luchino Visconti's attention to detail that it was shot in actual historical palaces , including authentic pictures , objects and tools . Concluding the climatic scene in the sumptuous forty-minute ball and long banquet where Tancredi introduces Angelica to society , it is deemed to be one of the greatest set pieces in film history . Originally released in USA in a badly dubbed 165 minutes version , picture was restored in 1983 to proper form .Masterful interpretation by the great Burt Lancaster , The Prince of Salina , a noble aristocrat of impeccable integrity who tries to preserve his family against their dark destination and nice acting by Alain Delon as his ambitious nephew who swims with the tide and assures his own position . Support cast is pretty well , they give top-notch performances such as Paolo Stoppa , Romolo Valli , Terence Hill , Pierre Clémenti , Giuliano Gemma and Ida Galli . Colorful and evocative cinematography in Technirama wide screen system, by Giuseppe Rotunno . Classical and emotive score by Nino Rota . The motion picture was masterfully directed by Luchino Visconti and was shot over 11 of the hottest weeks of the year , being Martin Scorsese's favorite movie .This celebrated story was well based on historical deeds , these were the followings : Sicily was invaded by "A corps of volunteers led by Giuseppe Garibaldi landed in Sicily in order to conquer the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, ruled by the Bourbons" . The Expedition of the Thousand was an event of the Italian Risorgimento that took place in 1860. A corps of volunteers led by Giuseppe Garibaldi landed in Sicily in order to conquer the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, ruled by the Bourbons. The project was an ambitious and risky venture aiming to conquer, with a thousand men, a kingdom with a larger regular army and a more powerful navy. The expedition was a success and concluded with a plebiscite that brought Naples and Sicily into the Kingdom of Sardinia, the last territorial conquest before the creation of the Kingdom of Italy on 17 March 1861.The sea venture was the only desired action that was jointly decided by the "four fathers of the nation" Giuseppe Mazzini, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Victor Emmanuel II, and Camillo Cavour, pursuing divergent goals. It is difficult to determine the true instigator: Mazzini desired to release the Mezzogiorno and Rome, whereas Garibaldi wanted to conquer in the name of Victor Emmanuel II, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and continue to Rome to complete the unity of Italy, and Cavour wanted to avoid at all costs conflict with his French ally, Napoleon III, who protected Rome.The expedition also brings new large collective ambiguity and misunderstanding: for Garibaldi, it is to achieve a united Italy; to the Sicilian bourgeoisie, an independent Sicily as part of the kingdom of Italy, and for the mass farmers, the end of oppression and land distribution

Seriously, what spoiler could I possibly write if not a single thing happens in this condemned 3 hours long colossal bore? Oh, pardon me ladies and gentlemen, I meant in this work of art. Sure, I'm not an intellectualoid, and I don't want to pretend I am by giving a 10 to this film in a website either. I just go out, read books, watch TV and been in a museum so, unfortunately, I already knew how aristocrats and rich people lives and behaves before watching this film, and I've also seen big houses, paintings, nice costumes, people smoking cigars, and dancing at a ball before!!! It seems like some reviewers never heard of those things and discovered them all of a sudden from a 1963 movie. Well, good for you, but I wanted a film with a plot, a soul, some depth to fill the nice wrapper for 185 MINUTES (20 would have been more than enough), not just this "moving paintings" that has put me to sleep from the first minute. If you have sleep problems I strongly recommend you to watch this film, is the best cure you'll possibly find in the entire world. Lancaster, Delon, Cardinale.. what a waste of actors and tape. User richieburt has made the perfect review of this, and I agree with it 100 percent. If you're really interested, watch this movie just to learn how rich and boring people lived and still lives. But don't wait for a plot, or an interesting love triangle. You'll have the disappointment of your life. Here's the progression:Minutes 0 to 4: Opening credits.Minutes 4 to 10: People praying the same prayer over and over.Minutes 10 to 25: A man leaving a house.Minute 25.....another Mass... a dinner... never-ending ball....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.