As the Italian Revolution reaches Sicily in the 1860s, the proud Prince of Salina (Burt Lancaster) weighs his options in deciding how to maintain his noble lifestyle while realizing that this new wave will most certainly add unwanted alterations. When his opportunistic nephew (Alan Delon) joins Gibraldi's army and then takes up with the daughter (Claudia Cardinale) of a newly rich mayor he despises, the prince realizes the benefit of the alliance and aids the courtship. "The Leopard" is a gorgeous, exuberant, celebratory yet sorrowful adaptation of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa by master director Luchino Visconti. Featuring a glowing international cast, Burt Lancaster towers over all in a wonderful, commanding performance. Although his dubbed Italian voice is jarring at first (I've read the English dubbed version is an abomination), Lancaster's range is so wide and passion so deeply felt so that in a career of hallmark performances, this is one of his finest. Also, not enough can be said of Visconti's directions, the visuals, and the costumes. The concluding ballroom scene, which runs near an hour in length, is one of the most opulent and impressive of its kind. "The Leopard" captures many of the elements and sentiments of a transitory era and presents them with grace, extravagance, and style.
