Review of The Leopard (1963) by Michael A Elkana F — 17 Mar 2010

Perfect movie from every aspect. A brilliantly made piece of cinema showcasing the life of a 1860s aristocrat family, the Salinas, set during the rise of Garibaldi's movement. Nino Rota superb soundtrack bring such a scrumptious emotion, along with Visconti's elegant direction.

Every nods should also be given to the costume department for their achievement. But one that stands out from another is the performance. There are Alain Delon as Tancredi, a vigorous nobleman along with Claudia Cardinale at her peak as Angelica, the daughter of the town of Donnafugata's major.

And the center of all, Burt Lancaster, as the head of the Salinas, Don Fabrizio. All over the movie, this man displays such a vivid acting with all of the political intrigue he has to face. The last ballroom scene's breathtaking but also showing how a man like Don himself has to overcome the mortality, while others celebrating how beautiful life can be.

You will be emphatized by Lancaster, as he walks through the ball, contemplating life, until the last scene on the silent alley.