elvircorhodzic THE LEOPARD is an epic drama about a dramatic political, economic and family turmoil on Sicily. It is based on Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's novel of the same name.Garibaldi's troops come on Sicily. Prince of Salina sees that event as an obvious threat to his current social status. However, his nephew takes an opportunistic attitude and becomes an officer in Garibaldi's army. He has returned home as a war hero. He begins a romance with the beautiful daughter of a newly appointed mayor of their city. Prince of Salina despises a new mayor as an upstart who made a fortune on land speculation during the recent social upheaval, but he supports an emotional relationship and engagement of his nephew. He, later, declines an offer from a governmental emissary to become a senator in the new Parliament in Turin. He, painfully, experiencing the downfall of the aristocracy and the birth of a new class - the bourgeoisie...This is a very emotional epic, which considering social turmoils, through a sad look of a man. A magnificent ambiance is very personal. The atmosphere is melancholic and nostalgic at the same time. The story is full of memories and sorrow, so smile and dance of young people become uncomfortable. A revolution is not marked with bloody conflicts. A slow pace fully corresponds with emotional crisis of the main protagonist.Mr. Visconti has showed us a harmonious luxury, which is limited with emotions, ambitions and desires. The surface is decorated, and the core is rotten. The changes are inevitable.The scenery and costume design is at the highest level. Characterization is also very good. The closing section, an almost hour-long ball is a spectacular sequence, which shows the culmination of social changes in a subtle way.Burt Lancaster as Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina is a solid and imperious man who has frequent attacks of melancholy. His sharp patriarchal character is softened with sarcastic interruptions and moments of nostalgia. Mr. Lancaster has offered a convincing performance.Alain Delon as Tancredi Falconeri, Don Fabrizio's nephew is a charming and handsome young man, who does not have enough self-confidence to become the hero of this story. Claudia Cardinale as Angelica Sedara / Bertiana is, in addition to her beauty, a grotesque character. She is a strange combination between an indecent bourgeois girl and a serious young woman in love. Her uneven character is an embodiment of a social change.Further, clumsy, vulgar and shy characters fit perfectly into the atmosphere.Mr. Rota has offered a very rich and vivid soundtrack.

gavin6942 The Prince of Salina, a noble aristocrat of impeccable integrity, tries to preserve his family and class amid the tumultuous social upheavals of 1860s Sicily."The Leopard" has circulated in at least four different versions. Visconti's first cut was 205-minutes long, but was felt to be excessive in length by both the director and producer, and was shortened to 195-minutes for its Cannes Film Festival premiere. Visconti then cut the film further to 185-minutes for its official release, and considered this version to be his preferred one. The U.S English-dubbed version, in which the Italian and French actors were dubbed over (except for Burt Lancaster, whose original English voice work is heard), was edited down to 161-minutes by its distributor 20th Century Fox.Who today (2015) has heard of Garibaldi? Who had heard of him in 1963 when the film was released? I suspect that fewer know him now than then, but he is still an obscure figure in America outside of the Sicilian community. And this is too bad, as he really sparked huge change in Europe. This film does not focus on Garibaldi (he does not appear in the film), but does discuss that change. And it is quite interesting.

d-JCB Based on the best selling novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, an epic story of 1860's Sicily focusing around a rich family's dealings with war, power, love & adapting to change from the old ways to new…Starring Burt Lancaster in his career highlight performance, plus sex symbols Alain Delon & Claudia Cardinale in solid performances as always… Been wanting to watch this film for years & glad i finally have, but it requires a re-watch to truly appreciate it's depth…http://samuellbronko.tumblr.com/post/118188103817/the-leopard-1963- luchino-visconti-8-9-10

Sergeant_Tibbs This epic seems to be exclusively acclaimed by They Shoot Pictures Don't They's extensive top list as I've rarely heard about it anywhere else. Still, I can see why it deserves it. Although its history and politics are completely lost on me, its primary themes of class, family and progress of a nation still resonate, though it only conjures a feeling of anxiety about them rather than a full examination. Regardless, the film is worth watching for Burt Lancaster's terrific performance. Every moment he was on screen and spoke it was incredibly profound. Not only does he exhume wisdom, but there's a poignant emotion attached too. It's a film also notable for its great cinematography. With amazing swooping shots, it truly captures the grandeur of the characters, the sets and the world. That said, The Leopard goes a long way to make a simple point. Interesting film, if as not emotionally engaging as it could've been.8/10