The Lions of Sicily

This is awful, an Italian production that isnt in Italian, it is dubbed! So I for one wont watch it which is a shame, I have read the book and it s a great story but not if its dubbed! Hulu has other great productions that are in the original language, among them Italian ones so why not this one too, at least give the viewers a choice. Americans are used to seeing foreign films in the. Original language, dubbing the film loses a lot, please reconsider and put any film in its original language. Viewers are intelligent and can read subtitles, much of Disney plus gives one the chance of seeing in the original language and Hulu should do the same! I am really disappointed.

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.

Loving this series, but the forced English voiceover is just horrible. I enjoy watching international series in their original audio and hate that I have no choice to change it. And the music is awful too, it just doesn't match up with the era. Hated that about Peaky Blinders as well. These issues are why I can only give it 8 stars. That being said, the story and actors are great! Would've given it an easy 10 if not for my previous complaints. Reading other reviews makes me feel better that I'm not alone and exaggerating.

I also don't appreciate being forced to write a 600 review on here, so it will be my last. Happy New Year to all!

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.