The Leopard - Criterion Collection |  | Actors: Luchino Visconti, Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon
Studio: Criterion
Category: DVD
List Price: $49.95
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Rating:  101 reviews
Format: Anamorphic, Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), Italian (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 3
Running Time: 187 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.5 x 1.1
MPN: PMIDCC1602D
ISBN: 1559409509
UPC: 715515015226
EAN: 9781559409506
Theatrical Release Date: July 15, 1963
Release Date: June 8, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Image Entertainment Release Date: 06/08/2004 Run time: 187 minutes
Amazon.com
With this magnificent Criterion DVD release, Luchino Visconti's 1963 historical drama The Leopard will finally earn widespread recognition as one of the most beautiful epics ever produced. In adapting the popular novel by Giuseppe Tomassi di Lampedusa (an Italian equivalent to Gone with the Wind, set during the tumultuous Garibaldi revolution of 1860-62), Visconti was initially reluctant to cast Burt Lancaster as the melancholy Prince of Salina--the aging aristocrat "leopard" of the title--who accepts change as inevitable during the struggle for a unified Italy. But Lancaster (even with his voice dubbed in the fully restored Italian release) delivered one of his finest performances, modeled after Visconti himself, and reacting to political and familial upheavals with the wisdom and whimsy of a man who knows that his way of life--and all he holds dear--must change with the times. You won't find a more intimate epic, and Giusseppe Rotunno's masterful cinematography represents the pinnacle of painterly beauty, matched only by the authentic splendor of the film's impeccable production design. The climactic hourlong ballroom scene--which even the hard-to-please Pauline Kael called "one of the greatest of all passages in movies"--is utterly breathtaking. Anchored by Lancaster's performance and the romantic pairing of Alain Delon and Claudia Cardinale, The Leopard is sheer perfection, fully restored to its 185-minute glory. --Jeff Shannon
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 101
 Turbulent Times at Sicily! October 13, 2009
Maximiliano F Yofre (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Director Luchino Visconti (1906-1976) was undoubtedly a refined film maker, won Cannes' Golden Palm (1963) with the present film.
His, relatively short, filmography encompasses such great films as "La Terra Trema" (1948) (aka "The Earth Trembles"), "Rocco e i soui Fratelli" (1960) (aka "Rocco and His Brothers) and "Morte a Venezia" (1971) (aka "Death in Venice").
The story is situated in Sicily in 1860s when Garibaldi's forces invade the island to consolidate Italy's unity under a Milanese king, supported by the ascending bourgeoisies.
The Prince of Salina, nicknamed "The Leopard", assist watchfully to the turmoil and put into action a clever plan: "We should change everything so nothing changes".
He supports from behind the stage the rise of Don Calogero and at the same time allies his nephew, Prince of Falconeri, marrying him with Calogero's daughter Angelica.
The whole film set a morose development pace, with the melancholic sight of an ending era and the birth of a new one.
The cinematography in charge of Giuseppe Rotunno, a usual collaborator of Visconti and Fellini, is a major contribution to this film excellence. This is not a coincidence; Rotunno has been awarded with the Silver Ribbon 7 times by the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists between 1960 and 1988; one of them for this film. Amongst his best efforts, aside from the present one, we may mention "On the Beach" (1959), "Satyricon" (1969) and "All That Jazz" (1979).
Nino Rota's musical score is another plus of the movie, as Rotunno, he has earned several Silver Ribbon for "8 1/2" (1963) and "Romeo & Juliet" (1969) amongst other.
Playacting is great Burt Lancaster as Prince of Salina, Alain Delon, in ascent career, as Prince of Falconeri, beautiful and ductile Claudia Cardinale as Angelica and Paolo Stoppa as Don Calogero are very convincing.
This is a film to see and keep in your collection!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.
My first movie review of one of my favorite actors. August 26, 2009
Sharon R. Grabowski (Chicago, Il., USA)
The cinematography was just beautiful. The movie was a bit long, though. Burt Lancaster's performance was as I would expect it to be, his whole personality was infused with the title character. (I also loved him in the "Tattoo Rose"). I have always been an admirer of Mr. Lancaster.
Great Work August 19, 2009
Rodney J. Moss
One of the most congenially transposed efforts from great literature to film. This must have provided a template for the later scenic glimpses in The Godfather. The films work well in tandem, by the way, if you are seeking a large grab at the family system in Sicily. Anything by Burt Lancaster is good or very good, or just brilliant as is the case in view. He is one of the most compelling screen presences, never failing to deliver, right up until the last drop. Don't neglect the written word. But whether you prefer it before or after the movie, it will not detract from the director's vision or your pleasure.
 The Leopard film is not The Leopard Book March 22, 2009
Jill S. Heavenrich (Milwaukee, Wi)
0 out of 6 found this review helpful
The Leopard is a dated boreing pretentous film. We stopped watching after
one half an hour. The acting was Bert Lancaster at his worst. He was pompous and dull. There was no excitement whatsoever. I'd say "forget it"!
Gorgeous to look at and intimate to the touch; an outstanding cinematic feat... February 27, 2009
Andrew Ellington (Mulholland Drive)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
One of the most beautifully shot films I think I may have ever seen; `Il Gattopardo' is a stunning cinematic achievement to say the least.
Some have made reference to `The Godfather' or `Gone with the Wind' but the comparisons, while understandable in parts, really shouldn't be drawn as an exact. `Il Gattopardo' is much subtler film; a hushed film if you will. It approaches a very weighty subject with such an intimate stance that you feel the calm of the surroundings as apposed to the rush of the situation.
Coppola's direction of `The Godfather', while flawless, has layers of panic that make the film much tenser and much more visually and mentally stimulating. Luchino Visconti takes a different approach here, allowing for a more personal flow. We are given the film moment for moment, which delivers a much different feeling to the viewer. Instead of pondering the films actions in entirety we take it step for step and thus are drawn in close to the films protagonist. Both directorial efforts are stunning, but both are also very different. In fact, the only true comparison comes from the cinematic scope (these are both epics of a more close-compact nature).
`Il Gattopardo', adapted from Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's novel, takes place in 1860's Sicily. The main focal point of the film is the Prince of Salina, Don Fabrizio, as he tries to hold himself together, preserve his family and class and hold fast his integrity as Italy works toward a unified self. Times are changing and this weighs heavy on the Prince as he watches what he has built for himself begin to wane in the sight of a new generation and a new way of life.
The film is propelled by a stunning performance given by Burt Lancaster; a true genius here. He captures the very subtle and very intimate emotions of this man and demonstrates them with power and commanding strength. It is impossible to take your eyes off of him. There is a moment towards the films end (although not end of the film since the films end sequence is like half the movie) where Lancaster is staring at himself in a mirror, reflecting on his on conflict, and I just felt this knot in my stomach the whole time.
Flawless.
He's aided by a large and impressive supporting cast; most notable is the stunning Claudia Cardinale who just steals every scene she is with her smoldering and passionate performance. Without a word she can evoke utter jealousy. I just love it.
Like I mentioned on the outset; this is truly one of the most gorgeously shot films in the history of cinema. It does at moments appear too long; albeit never boring (you don't have to be boring to feel a little over-stretched). It is a complete package; and while I won't say that it is better than the films it has been likened to (there are very few films that can top `The Godfather'; sorry) I will say that it is genuinely crafted and expertly executed and delivers top notch on its own right. No need to compare; for this is a different film all together. Just sit back and enjoy.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 101
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