The Leopard
Luchino Visconti's enduring romantic adventure
Overview
As Garibaldi's troops begin the unification of Italy in the 1860s, an aristocratic Sicilian family grudgingly adapts to the sweeping social changes undermining their way of life. Proud but pragmatic Prince Don Fabrizio Salina allows his war hero nephew, Tancredi, to marry Angelica, the beautiful daughter of gauche, bourgeois Don Calogero, in order to maintain the family's accustomed level of comfort and political clout.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
The Leopard is considered a seminal work of Neorealism, a post-WWII Italian movement that sought to portray contemporary society realistically. It offers insight into the socio-political climate during Italy's Risorgimento (unification) and serves as a commentary on the changing aristocracy.
- Luchino Visconti's masterful direction, with his unique blend of realism and grandeur.
- Exceptional performances by an all-star cast led by Burt Lancaster in the role of Prince Salina.
- Complex plot that explores themes of change, tradition, and decay set against the backdrop of Italian unification.
- Beautiful cinematography capturing the stunning landscapes and opulent interiors of Sicily.
Fun Facts
- The movie is based on the novel 'Il Gattopardo' (The Leopard) by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, who was a Sicilian nobleman himself.
- It took 15 years for Visconti to secure funding for the film due to its expensive production costs and controversial themes.
- Burt Lancaster had to learn Italian for the role, making it one of the few Hollywood films where an American actor speaks Italian throughout.