cinemajesty Film Review: "Il gattopardo" (1963)Fighting through competition as "Harakiri" directed by Masaki Kobayashi (1916-1996) and "To Kill A Mocking Bird" directed by Robert Mulligan (1925-2008) at Cannes Film Festival 1963 in its 16th edition, the ultra-lavish production value-indulging "Il gattopardo" directed by exceptional Italian director in visual and emotional transcendence Luchino Visconti (1906-1976) marks his masterpiece on international cinema with Hollywood leading actor Burt Lancaster (1913-1994) as Don Fabrizio Salina, the main character fighting insulting change in aristocratic societies with proletarian revolutionaries as the character of Tancredi Falconeri and Mario Girotti, portrayed by Alain Delon and Terence Hill respectively, when the eternal-feminine-sharing actress Claudia Cardinale as character of Angelica Sedara, at age 27, tribute to Guiseppe di Tomasi di Lampedua's novel from 1958 gives director Visconti the oppportunity to shine by finding balance in ultimate cinemascope visuals and sound to score by legendary composer Nino Rota (1911-1979) galvanizes a perfect picture on the fading existence of any generation, who stays for too long inmoveable in power of the way of life for the entire world to breathtaking quotes by the leading man, performed by match-making Lancaster: "It has to change everything in order to let everything stay as it is," before walking off into dark allies in night exteriors of mingling aristocrats with the organized proletariat."The Leopard" strikes further high notes with Academy-Award-nominated Costume Design by Piero Tosi, who favors Luchino Visconti's directorial vision, when this motion picture for the ages finds cinematic peaks in a 40-Minutes-ball scene in opera-splendid reception, where the inevitable change in 1860s Sicily, Italy becomes unstoppable with a smiling and whipping eye of life-exposing tragic proportions that any spectator take the time to witness this 180-Minutes-Film winning then without a doubt the "Palme d'Or" in its first international festival exhibition that becomes impeccable to deny by any audience that a human's life'S structures of security fade, where every individual on the planet strives from, getting here jeopardized over a single night of extravaganza. Copyright 2018 Cinemajsty Entertainments LLC

Kirpianuscus one of films who are more than artistic delight, splendid result of a great director work or admirable adaptation. it is just an experience. not exactly aesthetically - few scenes remains memorably - but a poetic reflection about the change of times, about use of power in the most wise manner, about illusion and importance of love. romanticism, humor, Visconti's mark seems be details. the amazing detail, after so many time, is the choice of Burt Lancaster for be the lead character. and his delicate, precise, touching work. it could be the film of the last dance. but it is , more important, expression of a form of grace who only cinema must present in the right manner. a film who is more than legendary. because the reflection about our period remains the most seductive subject.

d-JCB Based on the best selling novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, an epic story of 1860's Sicily focusing around a rich family's dealings with war, power, love & adapting to change from the old ways to new…Starring Burt Lancaster in his career highlight performance, plus sex symbols Alain Delon & Claudia Cardinale in solid performances as always… Been wanting to watch this film for years & glad i finally have, but it requires a re-watch to truly appreciate it's depth…http://samuellbronko.tumblr.com/post/118188103817/the-leopard-1963- luchino-visconti-8-9-10

Jackson Booth-Millard I do not know many films where an established English or American star is in a foreign film either speaking the specific language or dubbed over while all other actors are speaking their own language, but that is the case with this Italian film from the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die. Basically, set in the 1860's, against the Sicilian landscape a dying aristocracy, led by the Prince of Salina, Don Fabrizio Corbero (Burt Lancaster), he is also known as The Leopard, and the film traces the slow waning of his noble home. We see how he turned from peasant and rose to become the enormously wealthy prince he is, but with the decline of his empire and personal fortunes he refuses to take steps and halt this or rebuild Sicily, but assuring his own position to marry Don Calogero's beautiful daughter Angelica (Claudia Cardinale) is the nephew, Tancredi, Prince of Falconeri (Golden Globe nominated Alain Delon). Angelica is introduced to society by Tancredi in the climactic sumptuous forty minute ball, but in the end the conclusion is unclear whether Don Calogero recovers his empire or any of his personal fortune. Also starring Paolo Stoppa as Don Calogero Sedara, Rina Morelli as Princess Maria Stella Salina and Romolo Valli as Father Pirrone. It is obvious that Lancaster has been dubbed over by an Italian voice, but he otherwise gives a good confident performance being the head of the family and of the aristocracy, I admit I did not really know everything that was going on, because it involved political stuff, like about the republican movement or whatever, but the performances and costumes are well done, and I know it is a most watchable period drama. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Costume Design. Very good!