Review of The Leopard (1963) by Tim S — 24 Dec 2011

Luchino Viscontiâ(TM)s âThe Leopardâ? has to be one of the most beautiful films ever in appearance. I watched it on Blu-ray and it made it even more magnificent. This is one of the few films that you might be able to watch, even if it had no dialogues or sound.

Like, David Leanâ(TM)s âLawrence of Arabia,â? it covers a large landscape. And, I think it has one loose similarity with Satyajit Rayâ(TM)s âThe Music Room,â? which is the relationship between a wealthy royal of tradition and commoner who has gained riches through business or what not and believes he is important.

Of course, Burt Lancasterâ(TM)s character in âThe Leopardâ? is very much different from Chhabi Biswasâ(TM) in âThe Music Room.â? I did have trouble understanding the story of the film and had to read about it to fully know what is actually happening.

Briefly it is about The Prince of Salina who is trying to protect his family and class during the social conditions of 1860s Sicily. Maybe because the film is so long, at times I felt that Visconti was focusing more on showcasing the customs, the manners of the aristocrats, the great mansions, rather than the story itself.

However, after watching the film, I have realized that was probably required. The performances are terrific, including Alain Delon, but unquestionably Burt Lancaster is the show. The ending 45 minute ballroom sequence has to be one of the grandest ever filmed.

I was incredibly shocked at what I was seeing; it is unimaginable to believe that a director can actually create something of that caliber. I think Bernardo Bertolucciâ(TM)s â1900,â? which also stars Burt Lancaster could have learned from âThe Leopard,â? on how to create an epic.