THE LEOPARD
PALERMO, APRIL 1861
Tancredi,
do you take Angelica as your lawful wedded wife?
I do.
Angelica,
do you take Tancredi as your lawful wedded husband?
I do.
I now declare you husband and wife, joined in matrimony.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Prince.
-How are you? -Fine. Now.
-Allow me to congratulate you. -Thank you.
Goodbye, Prince.
Goodbye.
Maestro.
Excuse me.
There are gifts to be given.
Angelica.
Tancredi.
This was gifted to my mother in Naples by Ferdinand the First.
May I?
How generous of you, Prince.
We are…
so honored.
Uncle, I don't know what to say.
Thank you.
Angelica, come.
Gentlemen.
Look at the splendor.
Let them see the necklace.
One moment, if you please.
She comes from Queen Isabel of Spain's own stud farm.
What's her name?
You name her.
She's yours now, my son.
Let us call her The Joy of Donnafugata!
Angelica, we cannot take her with us.
-Are there no stables in Turin? -Of course there are!
But that poor mare has been bred for Madrid and Sicily.
She will freeze to death up North.
Papa will be distraught.
Angelica, come on.
Oh, Concetta!
You caught us. Squabbling already.
I didn't mean to, Angelica.
Of course, Concetta. We know that.
We're going to live in Turin.
Tancredi's been offered a position in the new government.
Sounds dreary, doesn't it?
No, not at all.
You must be very happy.
I am, Concetta.
Thank you.
I'll leave you now.
You haven't lost, Concetta,
if that's what you're thinking.
Think of who you are,
of your father's name.
You could have anything you want.
Anyone you want.
Here.
I have one for all of you.
Thank you, Angelica.
-Viva Tancredi! -Viva Angelica!
Mama, where is Concetta?
Concetta?
Signorina, why are you alone? Where are you going?
Wait, we'll escort you!
Concetta.
Hello, Concetta.
I'll write to the Prince immediately.
The rest can be arranged tomorrow.
"We are writing to inform you that Concetta is now here with us."
"The Princess came to us
seeking peace and shelter,
and has decided to remain here
within our holy walls."
Damn her obstinacy.
A letter from Turin.
Your beloved Tancredi has written to you, at last.
Read the letter, Papa!
-Yes, Fabrizio, read it. -Just a moment.
You read it to everyone.
"Dearest Uncle,
Chevalley of Monterzuolo,
a man of some importance here in the government,
wishes to make you a proposal."
"Expect a visit from him within the week."
"And please, treat him kindly."
"I know you will."
"I would write more,
but the Crown Prince’s ball is tomorrow
and Angelica won't give me a moment's rest
until I've given my opinion on another dress."
"Neither my wife nor I have forgotten
that our cousin Concetta's birthday will fall in the coming days."
"We would be grateful if you would convey our fondest regards."
"We hope that this year will bring
everything she wishes for."
"Your adoring nephew,
Tancredi."
Her birthday is in two days.
What are we going to do?
Shall we visit her?
She doesn't want to see us. You know that.
After all this time? Not even on her birthday?
Papa?
She made her bed.
It would help to remember that Concetta is not in prison.
She's pursuing something sacred.
We ought to be happy for her.
And proud.
Isn't that so, Father?
Of course, Princess.
This is a gift for your family.
Concetta is studying for her vows.
If she takes them, we'll never see her again.
Then that is the cost we will have to accept.
Have a good day, my dear.
Are you going out?
Yes, I'm going to see my bankers and conduct some business at the club.
If we’re to be late
we’ll spend the night at the Grand Hotel.
Really? You're not planning to visit Concetta?
No.
You must leave her alone.
She's suffering, and she's in the best place to heal.
-Yes. -You have other children.
Think of their futures instead of hers.
-Anything else? -Yes.
-Respect her decision. -Very well.
Promise me.
I promise!
Here we are.
I'd stop looking at me like that unless you want me to punch you.
Anyway, I will not break my promise,
because you’re the one who’s going to visit her.
Come on, Bendicò.
I've come here to beg you, Concetta.
Come back home.
You've known me since I was born.
You should be happy that I've found my vocation at last.
My happiness has nothing to do with it.
You have brothers and sisters at home
who are suffering because you're not there.
My decision is not for debate.
As for you,
you aren't here on behalf of my brothers and sisters,
whom I love very much,
but on behalf of my father.
Your father only wants you to be happy.
Then you tell him I am, Father.
It's your birthday tomorrow.
No father could forget something so important.
Prince.
Good evening.
Go lie down.
Bring me my cognac?
Thank you.
Is your daughter Concetta still causing you grief?
You did what you did for her benefit as much as anyone else’s.
That's right.
Marrying Tancredi would have crushed her.
They're too different.
But she won’t let it go. She’s obstinate and obsessed.
But I am more obstinate than her.
I'll bring her home, one way or another.
Come with me.
No, wait a moment.
Come on.
"Which end do you want to look through?"
"The one that makes the world big,
or the one that makes it small?"
-What is happening? -Nobody knows.
Don Calogero.
Fetch a pork chop for the dog. He has not eaten.
Prince.
I've already told you there's no need for titles.
Don Fabrizio.
Your Concetta, a bride of Christ.
I can’t imagine the pride you must feel.
Yes. We're very, very proud.
So…
You must have heard about those Church estates
that the government is putting up for auction.
Yes, naturally.
They border my own.
Underneath,
there are rich seams of sulfur.
Those lands could be acquired for buttons.
-You and I might-- -But you must be forgetting
that my daughter will soon be a bride of Christ.
I won't be the one to turn Church property
into a hellish inferno of brimstone and flames.
-But are you… -That's my final word.
As you wish.
Prince.
A brandy.
-Thank you. -Here.
Some milk for the child.
Here you are.
Some bread, please.
Some bread, sisters.
-Here. -Thank you.
Thank you. May the Holy Mary bless you.
Thank you.
Madam.
How can I help you, Sister?
Not "Sister."
Not yet.
Would you like to help me?
I usually get harsh words from women like you, not alms.
Wait.
Help me understand.
What is your life like?
What do you want from me, novice?
Only to know you.
Give the horse water.
Papa, do you really want me to go with him?
Yes. You need to start learning a few things.
But what has he to teach me?
Prince, these will be very hard days.
Are you saying my son is a weakling?
No.
Prince, if Don Paolo would prefer, we could ride out…
You'll ride out when I say.
As you wish.
Now, leave us alone for a moment.
Prince.
Paolo, this journey will help you.
You need to learn how to care for what is ours.
One day, you will be the rock upon which our whole family will stand.
You are my heir.
Do not forget that.
Yes, Father.
Good.
Take Tancredi's horse, if you want.
Thank you, Father.
You came.
I'm very glad.
I'm not sure that she agrees.
I'd already spoken to her.
Such influence for a novice.
My father is the Prince of Salina.
An important name.
Come.
So this is how the Princess of Salina lives?
There is peace here.
Was there none before?
Tell me the truth. Was it pain that brought you here?
Life should be more than suffering.
-Love should be more than suffering. -What do you know about it?
What you do isn't love.
If not love, I don’t know what it is.
And the other women? The wives?
Does your father have a lover?
A lover?
He has a whore.
Princess, there's no grace in anger.
You didn’t ask me here to save me,
but to insult me.
Forgive me.
Will you come again?
No.
But you could come see me
if you're so curious.
Prince.
I want to see my daughter.
I'm sorry.
That is not possible.
Mother, I…
I beg you,
on my behalf
and that of my wife, your benefactor,
to persuade my daughter that her place is at home with us.
With all due respect, Prince,
I was not made head of this order
to dissuade young women from joining it.
I'll remind you that it is within my rights
to drag my daughter out of here by force, if necessary.
Which would improve your situation no end, I’m sure.
Besides, Concetta has specifically stated
that she has no intention of returning home with you.
Good evening.
Don Fabrizio.
May I?
Please.
Thank you.
I wanted to talk to you about your man,
Russo.
Can I trust him?
Our man, Russo.
The land you gave me at Argivocale
is not yielding the profits I'd hoped for.
Land takes great patience, believe me.
-Of course. -It's always the way.
Are you not worried?
We are little more
than a colony of Piedmont now.
Our rulers are far away.
I feel there is a vacuum of sorts,
where chaos prospers.
In this absence of authority, some say there are men,
lowly men,
who think they can profit.
Lowly men like Russo, you mean?
And others.
Please, elaborate. Speak clearly.
I think you understand perfectly, Salina.
If we don't lay traps as soon as possible,
these rats
will swarm from their sewers
and overrun us.
Last year, this land yielded 23 bales and seven sacks of wool.
Does that not sound low to you?
Well…
Russo, the tenants need reminding of their obligations.
We'll remind them later, Don Paolo.
Shall we have lunch now?
All right.
I'll gather some wood.
I'll help. I'll come with you.
No, Don Paolo.
Sit over there and rest a little.
I don't want any special treatment. I want to be useful.
As you wish, Don Paolo.
In that case, make sure the horses
are fed and watered.
This needs more salt.
But don't make it too salty.
-Don Calogero. -Where have you been?
I could've grown a beard while waiting.
I'm sorry.
His Excellency has made me take Paulo to see his lands.
I can't come to the mines with you.
Russo!
What the hell is this?
You knelt for him?
You don't kneel for any man except my father.
Don Paolo, we're old friends.
We're here serving your father's interests.
I work for Prince Fabrizio's greater glory, of course.
I owe him everything.
You do, Don Calogero.
You do.
So tell me…
What would you be, without my family's name?
Nothing.
Not…
a thing.
Have a seat.
Why don't you have something to eat with me, Don Paolo?
Bring more food!
No, thank you.
What's mine is yours. Sit.
Here it is!
Your father must have spoken to you
about the properties at Lercara, yes?
Church land. They border our own.
Beneath the dirt, they are awash with rich seams of sulfur.
The Church, we understand, is obliged to sell the land.
And have you told my father?
No, I haven't, Don Paolo.
I thought it'd be wiser…
You understand, to survey the size of the seams first.
You didn't intend to tell me?
Don Paolo, for over a year now,
a gang of brigands have been illegally extracting sulfur.
They're dangerous.
Heathens.
And you're in my care.
Well, if the land was acquired as an investment…
the new owner could make a great deal of money.
The new owners.
Your family and mine.
Think how proud your father could be of you.
Come with me!
We're here.
Will you come in?
Would you like something to drink?
No, thank you.
How old are you, madam?
How much longer can you continue with this life?
I could die in a fire tomorrow.
But then your soul?
-I'll take my chances. -Take them with us.
Just say the word, and I'll take you home with me.
The convent? That place isn't your home.
Your home has a hundred halls, gardens, gardeners,
paintings of the Gods above you.
You're talking of my father's house, not mine.
Not anymore.
This is also sometimes his house.
You don't want to bring me close to God
half as much as you want to punish your father, Princess.
Last year, my own father came to visit
from our village.
It had been ten years.
He saw how I live,
my apartment, my comforts.
He knew I wasn't married.
He spat in my face,
and went back home.
Will you pray with me?
What for?
Your father isn't like mine.
He loves you, Concetta.
He longs for your return.
Nothing you can do will ever change that.
I won't be preached to
on the nature of my father's love, madam.
Then be preached to on this.
There is too much left in the world for you to feel.
I know what happened to you, Princess.
The betrayal you suffered.
How close you must have felt to ecstasy,
to your own first moment of desire.
All that can happen again.
It might burn a little,
but it's better to live than shrivel away.
Your life is your own, madam.
I've done what I can.
So have I.
…world without end.
Amen.
…a new creature,
made in God's image, in truth, sanctity, and justice.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Sister Elena,
from today, you no longer bear the name of your father.
Receive the ring of faith,
the seal of the Holy Spirit.
You are now a bride to our Lord.
Tell them, Russo.
We only want to inspect the mine,
and then we'll leave.
In the name of the Prince of Salina!
Why don't you inspect my asshole while you're at it?
Let's go, Don Paolo.
We can always come back with more men.
Don Calogero, give me two of your bodyguards.
By all means.
You go, my old lungs can't take this.
-You go ahead. -Let's go.
Go!
In the name of my father, I insist you let me survey the mine!
Don Paolo!
Don Paolo, I beg you.
Don Paolo, let's go.
Russo, you're a coward.
A vile, cleaned-up villain. A coward! Let's go!
Stop, you bastard!
I told you to stop!
Care to tell me what's going on with you today?
You're like a stick in the mud.
I don't know, Prince. I just…
I'm not feeling so passionate today.
Oh, she's not feeling passionate!
The world really has turned upside down!
Where did you get this?
Where did you get it?
You and Concetta?
That little brat.
How dare she meddle in my life?
And you?
How dare you?
I only wanted to help.
You help me with one thing only.
Actually…
you used to.
He kept on talking and talking,
without even taking a breath.
It was making me out of breath too.
Open this door!
Open this bloody door!
Did you send for me, Mother?
It's a gift from my father.
Do you use it to study the heavens?
He'd like me to.
And that's why you don't.
-See how it is? The white. -Yes.
-It's very lifelike. -Good evening.
Fabrizio, this is…
Cavaliere Chevalley of Monterzuolo. At your service.
Tancredi's associate. From Turin.
We'll talk tomorrow. I need to go to bed now.
-Fabrizio… -No.
-He's very tired. -Please, don't worry.
Princess.
-Have a seat. -Good morning, Papa.
Did my poor manners offend you last night?
If so, I beg for forgiveness.
No, there is nothing to forgive. I've been looked after very well.
Sir, would you like some coffee?
Perhaps a glass of ice water, please.
Do take your coat off, sir.
Yes.
That's granted only to people coming from the North.
She would never allow me to do that.
If you need to cool down, why not try our granita?
Thank you.
Pass him the cream.
It's better with cream.
It's wonderful.
I read my nephew Tancredi's letter again last night.
He said in it that you had a proposal for me.
Right. Yes.
But perhaps now is not…
I keep no secrets from my family.
The government intends to appoint a number of illustrious Sicilians
as Senators of the Kingdom.
There is no name more illustrious than yours, Prince.
You've come all this way to offer me a seat
in the senate of this new Italy of yours?
Italy is also yours, Prince.
It's a good thing Paolo isn't here.
Sir…
Don Fabrizio is a peer of the Kingdom of Sicily.
Do you not think that a senate seat is too low-ranking
for a man of his name?
Princess.
The Cavaliere means no insult to me.
Fabrizio, you're not seriously--
Go on.
Thank you, Prince.
As you know,
the unification of Italy is not yet complete.
Venice is still under Austrian rule, Rome belongs to the Pope.
As I understand it, Garibaldi intends to march on Rome.
The King forbids it, however.
An Italian army marching against the Pope
would mean an immediate war with France.
And the end of this new kingdom.
The country is young and fragile.
It needs our strongest to put their shoulder to the wheel.
It needs Sicily,
and it needs the Leopard.
Signor Mario!
Prince…
Don Paolo.
Your mother, your sisters, stop them!
Stop! Wait!
Chiara, don't!
Paolo!
No!
Mama!
No!
Let go of me, Fabrizio!
Let go of me!
My son!
Prince, it was the horse.
No!
It was the horse!
Stella…
Come…
Come, Stella.
Let go.
Stella, come with me.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Prince.
Such a loss.
Our grief is unending.
Concetta.
BASED ON "THE LEOPARD" BY GIUSEPPE TOMASI DI LAMPEDUSA
Subtitles by: Jerrold Cameron