Review of The Leopard (1963) by Edgar C — 21 Sep 2011

Just like it is man's ambition to climb up the staircase of wealth, power and social positions, Visconti has gone up the stairs through cinema, moving from one class to another: the exploited labor in La Terra Trema: Episodio del Mare (1948), the struggling portions of the low/middle class in Rocco e I suoi Fratelli (1960), the common and simple citizens in Le Notti Bianche (1957), and the aristocracy and patriotic soldiers in Senso (1954) and Il Gattopardo, until now. Exceptional masterpiece that clearly shows the roots of inspiration for Coppola's famous gangster epics, Il Gattopardo is an elegant strong dish propelled by a tremendous full-star cast including Cardinale, Morelli, Delon, Stoppa, Regianni and Lancaster, a glorious cinematography, bright and vivid colors, a spectacular direction and Nino Rota's musical score, classy here and slightly comedic there. Modern viewers will have a terribly hard time admiring this celluloid triumph but for us, the patience and expectations will be rewarded by one of the most memorable ballroom sequences.

99/100.