Il Gattopardo (1963)

Casting an American actor to play an Italian prince must be not an easy decision, but Burt Lancaster is very convincing as the Prince of Salina, although he is dubbed entirely in Italian. Il Gattopardo, directed by Luchino Visconti, is a masterpiece, won the Palm D'Or in 1963. Every detail was carefully attended, I wish my television were bigger. After giving some thought about what version I should take, I finally bought the region 2 DVD, which was relatively cheaper than region 1 which actually had more extras - but I decided that I didn't need a cut English dubbed version. The region 2 has commentary by Forgacs and Capitano, which I find very helpful in understanding the movie. However I still had to read some Sicilian history, especially during 1860-1862, in order to appreciate this movie better.

Based from a book by Prince of Lampedusa, Il Gattopardo begins with the interuption of a morning prayer in Prince of Salina's house because the servants have found a dead soldier in the garden. At that time, Garibaldi has landed with his troops in Marsala, seeking freedom from the Bourbons. Tancredi, the prince's nephew, whom he loves more than his own children, goes to join the rebels, and comes back with a wound near the eye and a promotion. A war may take place, but the people's life doesn't change. The prince and his family, like always, go to Donnafugata for their holiday. The prince's daughter, Concetta, developes an expectation that Tancredi is in love with her and will ask for her hand; but when Father Pirrone tells the prince about it, the prince says that Concetta is only dreaming, and that Tancredi needs a very rich girl to meet his ambition. That night Don Calogero comes for dinner with her beautiful daughter Angelica, and soon Tancredi, who has left Garibaldi and now joins the royal army, falls in love with her. The prince approves because Don Calogero, although not well learnt, has lots of land and money. The story culminates in the ball in Palermo, where for the first time Tancredi introduces his fiancee to the high society and the prince realises how old he has become.



I read complains about how long the ball is, it takes about 45 minutes - but I disagree and must say how I enjoy it: the music, the costumes, the decorations - are superb. Alain Delon and Claudia Cardinale made a very beautiful couple and it is lovely to see them dancing, so happy they were. In English, the title of this movie is translated to 'The Leopard' - which is not 100% accurate (Gattopardo is a large African cat), but it refers to the big prince with his side whiskers and 'paws'. On the left, you can see the family crest.

My favourite moments:
1. The dog won't let go Tancredi's hand. I heard that Visconti rehearsed every
movement, but this must be an accident. I don't believe anyone can train a dog like that!
2. The singing is so boring that the dog yawns.
3. The local band keeps coming in at the wrong moment.
4. The prince slaps his knee so hard he hurts himself.
5. Tancredi and Angelica dance together.

'If we want everything to stay as it is, everything has to change.' ~ Tancredi Falconeri.