Review of Salvatore Giuliano (1962) by Michael T — 18 Apr 2014

A casual glance at "Salvatore Giuliano"'s particulars suggests an organized-crime saga, but instead it's an extremely convoluted tale (based on fact) of an assassinated Sicilian revolutionary.

The political situation -- government vs. Sicilian separatists vs. Mafia -- is quite specific and doesn't have much appeal to people without a pre-existing interest in the situation, and the film is constructed such that almost none of the actors are featured enough to create a lasting impression.

The title character himself doesn't even appear onscreen, except as a corpse (the action cuts between the present day and flashbacks). Sure, portraying the protagonist as an unseen cypher is a daring move, but it robs the viewer of making any emotional connection with him.

With raw, documentary-like direction and a minimal score that goes no further than occasional growling drones, the film fails to have any sensuous appeal either. This is a sophisticated, admirable piece of work, but it's a tough one to even finish.