Le Guépard

Many don't know that Italy was united very late in history and that unification came with tremendous upheaval. I have read that Don Fabrizio was based on Lampedusa's own grandfather. You may not sympathize with the privileged life depicted here but Don Fabrizio is an amazing character -- entitled and flawed, yes, but also prescient, indomitable, resilient, shrewd, loving, pragmatic, and, in his own way, principled. Note the importance of the Church in the story -- Catholicism vs. Secularism was part of the conflict, especially since some Italian states were Papal states well into the 19th century. Also, the contrast between northern Italy, represented by the new government and Concetta's suitor, versus the culture of the South, is an important element, as well as the eternal class struggle. The production is visually beautiful too. I recommend reading the novel by Lampedusa and streaming the Luchino Visconti film with Burt Lancaster as well. Decide for yourself which is best -- for me, they all complement each other. So glad this great story is getting a new audience.

I just read the book recently and the movie is just as beautiful. Nobody does it like the Italians. If you're a real fan of theater as an art form and film as a life-changing world enhancing experience then you should definitely see the leopard. Cinematography is absolutely stunning. What a beautiful period piece ; costumes magical, This is a stunningly visually crafted masterpiece of a series. But you have to watch it in Italian. Thank you, Netflix. The acting is incredible and spiritually enhancing with a handsomely beautiful cast. Enjoyable to watch. A lesson in history about Sicily. Lovely to see Sicily. Recommend.

You do keep watching it, so it does engage one's interest, but those viewers who then read the book to the end will be wondering; where's the rest of it?

The small compact story loaded with detail has been expanded into a family and political epic. Many of the additions are good and add suspense, but the further we get from the source material, something is lost. Conchetta becomes the central character. The final episode was overlong , optimistic and unsatisfactorily missed the dual dumping of aristocracy and religious relics.

One can only imagine that episode was the result of an almighty clash between artistic integrity and 'money men' 's idea of a popular ending; and the money men won.

So, something different to Visconte/Lancaster/Cardinale production of 1963.

Beautiful take on the book. The relationship between daughter and father as a metaphor of a world changing, whether we want it or not.

I feel like it's not something we see very often and yet father/daughter stories have so much to tell.

I loved to see parts of the book that are maybe only a few lines brought to life in such beautiful scenes.

In the series Sicily is a breathtaking view and Benedetta Porcaroli stuns with her performance... I hope to see her become a really important actress!

I really loved the costumes and the music as well (original soundtrack is on my Spotify playlist of favorites right now)

Happy to have watched it!

My wife and I just watched the Netflix series and the 1963 Visconti film (available for $ on Prime), and here are our takeaways. The film holds up vey well, especially the 1983 vastly improved cut still holds up. It's a splendid example of a movie epic in the grandest style. The Netflix series is nicely updated for current sensibilities by expanding and enhancing Concetta's role in the family saga. This by no means detracts or diminishes the overarching theme of a class in decline. The novel in fact ends with Concetta as more prominent, so the series does a good job of building off that. Both are outstanding productions comparable to Gone With the Wind and well worth watching, especially for those with a fondness for family sagas.

Incidental note: Deva Cassel is well-positioned to be the next Bond Girl.