Netflix's 'Il Gattopardo" — A classic reborn

Netflix photo

A new Netflix series adaptation of “The Leopard,” based on Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s seminal novel, is captivating audiences worldwide. Directed by British filmmaker Tom Shankland, the series revisits the iconic tale first brought to the screen by Luchino Visconti in 1963.

Set against the backdrop of 1860s Sicily during the Risorgimento, the film follows Prince Fabrizio Salina (Kim Rossi Stuart), an aging aristocrat witnessing the decline of the Sicilian nobility and the rise of a new social order. As Garibaldi’s forces land in Sicily, the prince reflects on the now-fleeting aristocratic way of life. His nephew Tancredi (Saul Nanni) embraces the changes and aligns himself with the new order, famously stating, “If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.”

Prince Fabrizio, once the epitome of male, moneyed privilege, finds himself grappling with a changing world where his way of life is becoming obsolete. He comes to realize that the aristocracy must learn to coexist with the new leaders and the rising middle class. In doing so, however, he knows that his daughter, Concetta (Benedetta Porcaroli), will experience profound heartache.

Rossi Stuart, a veteran Italian actor and director, interprets Fabrizio’s sense of privilege with a hint of comedic flair, which is especially apparent when he brings his priest along on visits to his mistress, justifying his infidelity by claiming he has “never seen his pious wife’s navel.” Meanwhile, Tancredi, who has been courting Fabrizio’s daughter, finds himself drawn to a new rival for his affections. Angelica (Deva Cassel), the daughter of the newly wealthy mayor, Don Calogero Sedara (Francesco Colella), appears to be a perfect contender in this romantic competition. Tancredi’s eventual engagement to Angelica is an example of things to come as old nobility merges with new wealth. Meanwhile, the prince grapples with personal and political change, as well as existential questions about mortality and his own legacy.

It’s difficult not to compare Visconti’s 1963 adaptation with Netflix’s 2025 interpretation. One striking point of continuity and change is the cinematography. Giuseppe Rotunno, who often worked with both Visconti and Federico Fellini, was instrumental in turning the original film into an enduring classic, with every shot of the beautiful characters and sumptuous setting reflecting the decadence of the milieu. Cinematographer Nicolaj Bruel carries the torch for the Netflix series, melding a modern take on the human drama with sweeping shots of the Sicilian countryside.

While Visconti’s main cast members were American, French and Italian, all speaking their native tongue while shooting, only later to be dubbed, Shankland’s main cast members are A-list Italian actors who are well-known and very popular in Italy. Cassel, who plays Angelica, is the daughter of Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel and is an up-and-coming model and social media influencer.

Traditionalists may criticize the remake of a film as esteemed as Visconti’s “Il gattopardo,” but one can view this fresh take as breathing new life into classic characters and plotlines. The challenges that many of the characters face reflect issues that resonate with contemporary society, such as identity, relationships and aging.

As one would expect with a Netflix budget, the production quality of the series is truly exceptional. There is a combination of respect for the source material and innovative storytelling that not only brings a fresh perspective but also invites new generations to explore the original story. Young film critics, YouTubers, and bloggers who have never heard of Visconti’s 1963 film are so enthralled by the Netflix series that they are taking an interest in it, researching it, and streaming it.

The choice to air the story out into six hourlong episodes rather than packing it all into a three-hour film like Visconti’s makes the pacing more relaxed. Every new episode builds upon the last, with viewers becoming more connected to the plight of the characters. Ultimately, the Netflix series can serve as a bridge between the past and the present, showcasing how timeless tales can evolve yet remain impactful across the generations.

Click here for more information.

Comments

The Legend of Alberto Sordi - Rome's Eternal Son

′′They will always judge you, whether you behave well or if you behave badly. So screw it and live as you want but above all don't listen to anyone.′′ - Alberto Sordi By giving his fellow Italians something to laugh about during tumultuous times, he emerged as his generation’s King of Comedy. One of Italy’s best-loved personalities, Alberto Sordi played a pivotal role in Italian cinema from the end of World War II to the postwar economic boom of the 1950s. During those tumultuous years, he gave his countrymen a hearty laugh when they might have otherwise cried. Former Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi perhaps said it best: “Alberto Sordi interpreted the feelings of Italians, especially in their most difficult and tough moments.” Born in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome in 1920, Sordi grew up in a creative household. His mother was an elementary school teacher and his father, a professional musician for the Rome Opera House. A young Sordi joined the children’s choir o...

Luminous Legacies: Yoichi Ohira’s Murano Glass at Magazzino Italian Art

A new exhibition in Cold Spring, New York, is bringing the luminous legacy of Murano glassmaking into focus through the work of Japanese artist Yoichi Ohira. “Yoichi Ohira: Japan in Murano” is on view at Magazzino Italian Art until February 2027. The exhibit showcases the work of Ohira, who became a leading figure in the design of Venetian glassworks on the island of Murano. The exhibition features works that highlight the uniqueness of Ohira’s art across the decades of his career. Ohira’s earliest Murano works blend Venetian glass techniques with his own style. These pieces show balanced shapes, clear surfaces, and striking color combinations. His Venezia e l’Oriente (Venice and the Orient) decanters reflect Venice’s ties to the East, creating vases inspired by Marco Polo’s tales with a modern twist. The exhibition shows Ohira’s respect for Murano’s glass masters, displaying objects alongside preparatory drawings that map ideas to the final works of art. It also explores ho...

Federico Fellini: A Look into the Life and Career of an Icon

A Fellini family portrait “The term became a common word to describe something on the surface you can say is bizarre or strange, but actually is really like a painter working on a film,” said Martin Scorsese when asked to define “Felliniesque,” an adjective inspired by one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. The oldest of three children, Federico Fellini was born in the seaside town of Rimini in 1920. His father was a traveling salesman, so his mother was left to do the bulk of raising the children. One can argue that Fellini was born for his destiny. “You could tell that even as a child, he was different and unique. He was very intelligent, well above average. He was always the one to organize things, direct the others, make up games. He could control the other kids with just a look, said Fellini’s sister, Maddalena, in an interview with journalist Gideon Bachmann. Not only was Fellini directing the children, but he was also putting on shows and charging ...

In Conversation with Talia Shire

She has immortalized two of the most memorable characters in American cinema and now she’s promoting her new film that mirrors issues facing the working class. Talia Shire became a household name in the 1970s with her role as Connie Corleone in "The Godfather" and Adrian Balboa in "Rocky"– two characters that went on to experience tremendous growth in the sequels of both films. Shire and her brother, collaborator and director Francis Ford Coppola grew up in a family that embraced the arts. Their father Carmine Coppola was a renowned flutist and composer. He often took his children on the road when he performed. So there was always that creative energy and sense of adventure present in their childhood and adolescent years. “What you have to understand is that Francis is probably the greatest writer. He and Mario (Puzo) did Shakespeare and the Greeks. So people who love "The Godfather" are really listening to literature. He went on and did what ...

Isabella Ferrari- the Damsel and the Thinker

Isabella Ferrari is a versatile actress whose trademark pouty lips and intense, melancholy eyes have been gracing Italian screens for more than three decades. Born in Piacenza on March 31, 1964, Ferrari has perfected the art of playing contrasting roles like the damsel in distress and the complicated, intellectual. Influenced by Italian auteur cinema, which encompasses the neo-realistic approach to filmmaking, she delivers powerful performances with each role she tackles. Ferrari's small screen debut goes back to 1981 in Gianni Boncompagni's television program, "Under the Stars." Two years later, she made her big screen debut in the summer comedy, "Il ras del quartiere." Diego Abatantuono, the star of the Oscar winning film, "Mediterraneo," co-wrote and starred in the film, which put Isabella Ferrari on the map and she hasn't stopped working since. Open Roads 2005: Isabella Ferrari, Antonio Monda and Renato De Maria With doz...

Italian Cinema Today

Search This Blog