Die Löwen von Sizilien

Based on the book by Stefania Auci that recounts the rise of one of the most influential families of the Italian medidione from their arrival in Sicily in the late 1700s to the Unification of Italy, the series is a bet gone wrong. Despite the enormous production effort and a very interesting cast, among which Michele Riondino stands out, the story fails precisely in portraying the characters, who are monolithic and lacking depth.

The richness of Sicily is well represented by the magnificent palaces, but the exteriors, thanks also to a gloomy cinematography, do not do justice to Palermo, where it seems that there is only Piazza Pretoria, and a port awkwardly recreated by rather approximate VFX.

There is now an option, watch in Italian! Look at the top of the screen. Subtitles on, audio Italian.

Original post follows, but no longer holds true. I will watch the series then amend it.

Had been looking forward to this but sadly dubbed in English, and refuse to watch anything not using the original language. The timbre, temper of foreign film and television is its original language. Language is our most precious and unique way of expression. It is why imperial powers throughout centuries have forbidden people to speak in their own languages, stripping places and their native peoples of identity. Until Disney and Hulu take their heads out of their accounting books and allow users to listen to what appears to be an exciting epic series .

Despite some really solid actors, the characters are generally not very convincing and the overall feel of the series is more like the beloved Italian soap operas of today. The scenery and overall story of rags to riches is interesting enough, but this production just doesn't quite hit the mark. Too much going on and with too many flashbacks make it quite 'messy' and not fluid or flowing to take the viewer along or care what happens. My main complaint though is that the whole series was overwhelmed by the constant intrusion of bizarre and inappropriate modern music. Why was this even necessary? It totally put me off and the mute button was used extensively. The time period is well represented by the details and the focus on the different societal stratas and population that struggled to make a living. You can see where and how and why the mafia evolved from this society. It could have been more interesting than it was. A shame, as the concept and real story it is based on are worth knowing about.

If you would like to watch it in Italian with English subtitles you have to click to watch on the I Lioni di Sicilia, if you click on the The Lions of Sicily then it will be dubbed in English and it pretty awful to hear. I speak Italian so Im glad to see it in the original language.

I am writing this because some of the reviewers here have mentioned how horrible the dubbed version is, and it seems enough of you don't know how to get it in the spoken language without dubbing, which can be viewed of course with the english subtitles. I hope to have helped some of you.

Enjoy it in Sicilian, I love hearing it.

Interesting series although somewhat melodramatic at times and the characters come across as somewhat one dimensional. It has the misfortune to have one of the worst soundtracks that made me put it on mute at times to avoid listening to. During a crucial scene you'll start hearing an English soft rock song that is way off the mark. On the plus side it's a story set in a time and place of Scilly in the 1800's that's not well covered. Despite the flaws just enough interest to keep watching it through to the end but definitely could have been better with improved characterization and a totally different soundtrack.