The Sicilian
by Michael Cimino
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Christopher Lambert, John Turturro, Joss Ackland, Richard Bauer, Terence StampDirector: Michael Cimino
Brand: Lions Gate
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 146 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-11-20
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lions Gate
Movie Reviews of The Sicilian
Movie Review: Lovely scenery, wrong guy for the part
Summary: 3 Stars
Christopher Lambert was all wrong for Salvatore Giuliano. Also too many liberties were taken. I understand Mario Puzo's book had a girlfriend in Giuliano's life (not true, after he became a bandit). The parts that are true: Aspanu Pisciotta (good guy for the part--resembles him, too) did kill Giuliano, was poisoned in prison. The massacre at Portella della Ginestra occurred but only 7 died and 32 injured, Giuliano had indeed ordered "only shoot above their heads" but Passatempo went crazy and shot people and animals. Giuliano really did execute the barber for betrayal. A Duke was really kidnapped but so were dozens more including nobility. The ring he took was the Duke's and not the Duchess's. S.G. did shoot five mafia dons (a no-no in Sicily, especially with old-time dons, whom these were), which precipitated his downfall, and the Portella della Ginestra massacre was the final straw.
Among the most ridiculous parts were (1) when the girlfriend and Giuliano do a wild silly awkward jitterbug in public, after he announces to all who he is, (2) a badly scripted bedroom scene with the Duchess, and (3) in real life no one would dare talk to a mafia don the way the Duchess did on the dance floor.
Most of Chris's lines consist of Giuliano talking about himself in the third person and always introducing himself. They could have done so much better, i.e., mention Giuliano was actually made a colonel of the Sicilian EVIS, and they could have made him more credible.
OK, so the film is based on Puzo's book, and not on the true Giuliano. But the liberties they did take were what ruined the show. He was a bandit, had maybe 50 members in his band, but he was also considered a political hero, a legend. He was a "Robin Hood" type. The book was obviously fiction with some facts and (deliberately?) misspells Giuliano's name as "Guiliano" (then it would be pronounced "Gweeliano" not "Jooliano", right?)
The duke was a sad comic (and is dealt with as best Terence Stamp, a great actor, could--he was wasted on a bad part). The American Duchess's lines were ludicrous and the actress playing her was lousy, especially after she opened her mouth. She was unnecessary to the film. I get the impression Giuliano himself would never have wasted his time consorting with such a stupid, shallow self-serving woman. In short, all are miscast except the guy who played Pisciotta, almost a dead-on image of the real thing. Speaking of him, he did not shoot Giuliano in obedience to him--he confessed to shooting him in his sleep on orders of Scelba, Minister of the Interior.
The Sicilian scenery is hauntingly beautiful (if it is even Sicily!) and that's about it, so I gave it three stars. For a fine film on the real Giuliano I recommend "Salvatore Giuliano" directed by Francesco Rosi (1960)filmed only ten years after the actual death of the man. It is on DVD as well, and best seen on digital. It is in black and white but it is shimmering in Sicilian sun and mountain glory. It is an example of neo-realism, is faithful, and entertaining as well. It is thoughtfully done and I gave it a review, too.
I understand the American audience's need for sensationalism, but there is a line that should not be crossed. "The Sicilian" movie had no class. It was miscast, badly scripted, and did not do the real Giuliano justice.
That is why it failed at the box office.
Summary of The Sicilian
ONLY ONE MAN EVER DARED TO STAND ALONE. From Mario Puzo, the best-selling author of "The Godfather," comes the riveting saga of the life, loves and dreams of the infamous Sicilian bandit, Salvatore Giuliano. Filmed entirely on location in Sicily, THE SICILIAN stars Terence Stamp ("Wall Street") and Christopher Lambert ("Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan") in a powerful portrayal of Salvatore Giuliano, a man whose dream became a legend. World War II is finally over, and a war-torn world is at rest. But for Sicily, who dreams of independence from Rome's oppresive, ironhanded regime, the struggle has just begun. Three powers have always ruled the island - the Church, the Landowners and the Mafia - until Salvatore Giuliano pronounced himself the fourth. Determined that Sicily shall gain its freedom, Giuliano and his "brothers" rob and ransom the rich, cold-bloodedly murdering all who dare to defy or betray them. As Giuliano proudly redistributes his newfound wealth among the peasants, Don Masino, the head of the Sicilian Mafia, declares that Giuliano must be stopped - at any cost. Now it's a fight for survival, as the bloodiest manhunt in Italian history sweeps the countryside in search of the notorious outlaw, Giuliano.Action & Adventure DVD Video
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