[female choir singing "Ave Maria" by J. Arcadelt]
THE LEOPARD
[indistinct chatter]
PALERMO, APRIL 1861
[choir continues singing]
[choir music fades]
[Pirrone reciting wedding vows in Latin]
[speaks Latin]
[sombre music playing]
[Pirrone reciting wedding vows in Latin]
[speaks Latin]
[Pirrone reciting wedding vows in Latin]
[congregation] Amen.
[sombre music building]
[wedding bells ringing]
[Sedara] Marvellous, Prince. Marvellous.
-Allow me to congratulate you. -Thank you.
It's a wonderful day for both families.
That's really kind of you.
[sombre music grows louder]
Thank you.
Bye.
[music fades]
[birds singing]
-[overlapping chatter] -[pleasant string music playing]
[softly] Maestro.
-Excuse me. Excuse me. -[chatter dies down]
There are gifts to be given.
Angelica.
Tancredi.
This was given to my mother by Ferdinand I, in Naples.
May I?
[guests murmur]
[Sedara] How generous of you, Prince.
We're so… [sighs]
…very honoured.
Uncle, it's beautiful.
Thank you.
Angelica, come.
Signori.
[Angelica giggling]
Signori.
Let them see you. Let them see you.
I shall return!
[laughs]
[pensive string music playing]
[guests] Ooh!
She has come directly from the stud farm of Queen Isabel of Spain.
What's her name?
It is up to you to name her.
She belongs to you now, son.
Let us call her The Joy of Donnafugata!
[guests cheer]
[music grows dramatic]
[panting]
-[crying softly] -[music subsides]
[Tancredi] Angelica, we can't take it with us.
[Angelica] But there are stables in Turin as well.
[Tancredi] That poor mare has only lived in Madrid and Sicily.
She'd freeze to death up north.
-Papa will be most upset. -[Tancredi] Angelica, come on.
Oh, Concetta.
Hmm. You've caught us already disagreeing with each other.
That wasn't my intention, Angelica.
Of course. We know it wasn't, Concetta.
We are moving to Turin.
As Tancredi has been offered a position in the new government.
Sounds dreary, doesn't it?
No, not at all.
No doubt you'll be content there.
Of course, Concetta. That's true.
Thank you.
I'll leave you.
[sighs]
You haven't been beaten, Concetta.
If that's the way you see it.
Remember who you are.
The name of your family.
You could have anything you set your sights on
and anyone you so desire.
Here.
I had one for all of you.
[unsettling music playing]
That's very kind, Angelica.
[Chiara] Long live the newlyweds!
[Sedara] Hurrah! Hurrah, both of you! Hurrah!
[all cheering]
Mama, where is Concetta?
Concetta?
[dramatic music intensifies]
[man] Signorina, why are you out all alone?
Darling, slow down. Where are you going? Come with us.
Concetta.
Hello, Concetta.
I'll write to the prince immediately.
And the rest will be done tomorrow morning.
[music intensifies]
[intense music continues]
-[music subsides] -[Concetta sighs]
[music fades]
[Fabrizio] "We're writing to inform you that she is safe
and well here in our holy convent.
"The princess came to us late last night."
"She was alone and afraid,
in search of peace, shelter, and protection, so we took her in
within our sacred abbey here."
She remains as stubborn as ever.
[birds singing]
[calming music playing]
[church bells tolling]
[geese honking]
[speaking inaudibly]
This has arrived today from Turin.
Finally, your beloved Tancredi finds time to write.
What does it say in the letter, Papa?
-Yes, Fabrizio, what does it say? -Yes, one moment.
You read it aloud, would you?
"Dearest Uncle,
Cavaliere of Monterzuolo, a man of certain importance here
and a governor would like to make you a proposal."
"Expect a visit from him within the week."
"And, please, if you wouldn't mind, treat him kindly."
"I know you will."
"I would write more,
but we are soon to attend a ball that is being held by the crown prince."
"And Angelica won't give me a moment's peace
until I've considered each and every one of her dresses."
"Neither my wife nor I have forgotten that it is not long
before it will be the birthday of our dear cousin Concetta."
"We would be grateful if you would convey our fondest regards,
and we hope that this year will bring good fortune
and everything that she wishes for."
"Your adoring nephew, Tancredi."
[Caterina] Her birthday is in two days.
What are we doing about it?
We should pay her a visit.
[Caterina] She doesn't want to see us. You know that.
[Francesco] After all this time? Not even on her birthday?
Papa?
It was her decision.
It would help to remember that Concetta is not locked away somewhere.
She has chosen to follow a holy path.
We ought to all be happy for her.
And proud.
-You agree, Father Pirrone? -[Pirrone] Of course, Princess.
This is a gift being given to your family.
Concetta is preparing for her vows.
Once she's taken them, we'll never see her anymore.
That is the price we all pay, and it won't go away.
[crickets chirping]
[Fabrizio] Have a good day, my dear.
Going out, are you?
Yes, I'm going to see my bankers and conduct some business at the club.
I shall be busy until late.
Probably better to take a room at the Grand Hotel.
I see. Will you visit Concetta?
No.
-You must leave her in peace. -[Fabrizio] Mm.
She's suffering, remember? And in the best place to heal.
-Yes. -[Stella] You have other children.
Better to think of their futures rather than of hers.
-I shall do. -Good.
-Be respectful of her decision. -Very well.
Promise me so.
-[huffs] -[unsettling music playing]
I promise so.
[Pirrone sighs]
Stop looking at me like that, unless you would be more than happy
for me to punch you.
Anyway, I shan't break my promise,
because you're the one who is going to see her.
Come on, Bendicò.
[horse whinnies]
[indistinct chatter]
[Pirrone] I'm here begging you, Concetta.
Please return with us.
We've known each other since I was a child.
I'd have thought you were overjoyed that I'd finally found my vocation.
Which decisions please me is of no concern at all.
You have brothers and sisters at home,
and they are suffering because you're not there.
My decision isn't up for discussion.
And as for what you're doing,
you aren't here on behalf of my brothers and sisters, who I miss so dearly
and remain in my heart forever.
But you are here on behalf of my father.
Your happiness and finding that is your father's only concern.
Tell him I'm happy and it's no longer his concern.
Tomorrow is your birthday.
It's impossible for a father to forget a day of such importance.
-[woman] Are you looking for some company? -[knocking on door]
My Prince.
Good evening.
Go on. Go to your bed.
Please, can you get my cognac?
[sighs]
[cognac pours]
Thank you.
[sighs]
[exhales]
Is your struggle with Concetta still happening?
You did what you did for her, for her benefit.
-And everyone else's. -As everyone's aware.
A matrimony with Tancredi would have been destructive.
They're complete opposites.
But she was infatuated, and she's as stubborn as an ox.
[sighs] But I am even more stubborn than her.
I shall bring her home, one way or another.
Come with me.
-No, just give me a moment. -Come on.
[chuckles]
[reciting the Hail Mary in Latin]
[sombre string music playing]
[Concetta sighs]
[exhales]
[reciting Hail Mary in Latin]
[inhales sharply]
[sighs]
[music grows suspenseful]
[Fabrizio] "Which end do you want to look through?
The one that makes the world big, or the one that makes it small?"
[indistinct chatter]
-Don Calogero. -Ah.
Fetch a pork chop for the dog. He hasn't eaten since this morning.
My Prince.
I've already told you there's no need for titles.
Don Fabrizio. [chuckles]
And your Concetta, a bride of Christ.
I can't imagine how proud you must be.
Yes, yes, yes. We couldn't be more proud of her.
Now.
You've heard about this land that belongs to the church.
Well, did you also hear that… that…
the government is putting it up for auction?
Yes, naturally, I'm aware.
Land next door to mine.
So…
Underneath, there are rich deposits of sulphur.
And I'm aware those plots of land could be bought for breadcrumbs.
-I'm thinking we could invest… -Ah…
You are perhaps forgetting my daughter is soon to become a bride of Christ.
I won't be the one to turn Church grounds into a kind of…
some sort of hellish inferno for sulphur farming.
-What? -My mind's made up.
It's out of the question.
That's a shame, though.
My Prince.
Brandy over here.
[indistinct chatter]
[woman] Thank you.
[nun] Good luck with the baby.
[baby fussing]
You're welcome.
[woman] Some bread?
Here you go.
-Thank you. -Some bread?
Signora.
How am I able to help you, Sister?
I'm not a sister.
-Not yet. -Are you trying to offer me guidance?
It's usual to get words of rebuke before I get any charity.
Just a minute.
Help me comprehend…
more about what your life's like?
[sighs]
What do you want to know about then, novice?
You and your life.
[cart driver shouting horse on]
Give him some water.
[Paolo] Father, do you really want me to go with him?
Yes. It's important you start to learn how things are done here.
Yes, of course, but what do you suggest he can teach me?
My Prince, these couple of days will be most challenging.
Are you insinuating my son is a mother's boy?
No, uh…
My Prince, if Don Paolo would prefer, there's nothing to--
You shall leave when I tell you to go.
-I'm always at your service. -[Fabrizio] Good.
Now, would you leave us alone for a moment.
[Russo] My Prince.
Paolo, this journey will help you.
You need to learn how to look after everything that we currently own.
As one day you will take charge and become the rock upon which this family stands.
[Fabrizio sighs]
You are my heir.
Don't ever forget that.
[Paolo] Yes, Papa.
Good.
If you want, you should take Tancredi's horse.
His is better.
[urges horse on]
-[sombre music playing] -[indistinct chatter]
-[music fades] -[female choir singing]
You found your way here.
I'm so glad.
It doesn't look like she agrees with you, though.
I'd spoken to her about you.
Such influence, and you're only a novice here.
My father is the Prince of Salina.
Hmm. A man of importance
Shall we?
So, this is the life of the Princess of Salina?
It's so peaceful here.
It was peace you needed?
Tell me the truth. Was it pain that has brought you here?
But there's more to life than suffering.
Love is more than suffering.
What do you know about anything?
If you don't love anybody.
If I don't love anybody, what is it?
What about the wives? The women?
-Does your father have a companion? -A companion?
A whore, more like.
My Princess, there's no grace in anger, mind you.
You encouraged me to come to you here, not to try to save me but to insult me.
Please forgive me.
Will you return here?
No.
But you are welcome to come to see me,
if you really are so curious.
[sombre music playing]
[sombre music building]
[music cuts out]
[female choir singing in distance]
How can I help you?
I want to see my daughter.
I expect you do.
At the moment, though, that isn't possible.
[sighs]
Mother, I…
I'm here to beg you, on my behalf,
and that of my wife, your benefactor,
to convince our daughter that her place is at our house with us.
With all due respect, Prince,
I was not made head of this abbey so as to be in a position
to dissuade young girls from coming here to join it.
You forget I'm more than able to take my daughter from here,
and that would include dragging her out by force, if necessary.
Which no doubt as you are bound to agree would markedly improve your situation.
Besides, Concetta has specifically stated
that she has no intention of leaving here with you.
[Leonforte] Good evening.
Good evening.
Don Fabrizio.
Do you mind if I join you?
Please, please.
Thank you. [exhales]
I wanted to talk to you about someone who used to be one of your men, Russo.
Can I trust him?
He used to be one of ours, Russo.
You see the land given to me at Argivocale,
it's not yielding the profits I had been hoping for.
Ah, I'm sure you're aware that with land, you need to have a lot of patience.
-Take it from me. -That's true.
Always been the way.
You seem a little preoccupied.
I can understand why.
We're little more than a colony of Piedmont now.
And our rulers are elsewhere.
I feel there is a vacuum of sorts, an opportunity.
And one which invites chaos.
In this absence of authority, some say there are men, lowly individuals…
who believe there is a profit in the chaos.
Lowly men like… Russo, for instance.
Men like that, yes.
Who else do you know of? Care to elaborate?
[chuckles]
Salina, I think you understand me perfectly well.
If we don't start to lay traps as soon as possible,
we run the risk that all these rats will emerge from their sewers
and shall overrun us all.
[music grows sombre]
[music fades]
[Paolo] Last year, this land yielded 23 saddlebags and 7 chests of wool.
Does that not sound poor to you?
Well…
Russo, the tenants need reminding of their obligations.
Don Paolo, we'll remind them later.
Shall we rest and eat now?
If we must.
I'll gather some wood for a fire.
I shall help. I'll come with you.
No, Don Paolo.
You should sit down over there and rest awhile.
Russo, I don't want you showing me any favour. I will help you do it.
Don Paolo, if that's what you want.
Alright, then.
See to it these are looked after, that they've been fed and watered.
[intriguing music playing]
-Don Calogero. -What took you so long?
Could've grown a beard whilst waiting for you.
I'm really sorry.
His Excellency ordered me take him to see his land.
I can't come to the mines with you.
Russo! What the hell is going on?
Why would you kneel for him?
The only one you kneel for is my father, your patron.
Don Paolo. We made friends some time ago.
We just happened to meet here
and were discussing your father's properties.
I work for the greater glory of Prince Fabrizio. As ever.
I owe him my all.
You do, Don Calogero.
You do.
We all remember.
What would you be without the name of my family? Answer that, would you?
Nothing at all.
Not a thing.
Nothing.
So, uh… why don't you sit with me, Don Paolo? Huh?
Bring over more food right away.
No, you needn't worry.
[Sedara] What's mine is yours. Come on, sit. Sit down.
Ah, there we are.
Your father must have spoken about the interesting land at Lercara, yes?
Church lands which lie next to ours out there.
Underneath the surface, they are known to be rich deposits of sulphur.
And we'd like to ask the Church to sell it.
It has an obligation to sell it.
Hmm. And have you informed my father of this request?
No, no… uh, Don Paolo.
We were thinking it'd be wiser, you see, to know the amount of sulphur buried there
before making a judgement.
And why didn't any of this involve me?
Don Paolo, it came to our attention that there's a small band of brigands
taking the sulphur from the ground. They're dangerous.
-They're uncultured heathens. -Aggressive.
And I didn't want to risk your safety.
Well, if this, uh… was seized as a good investment…
the new owner could make a great deal of money, indeed.
And these new owners…
Should be your family and mine.
Think how proud your father would be of you. Huh?
[music fades]
[indistinct chatter]
We've arrived.
In here.
Are you thirsty? Something to drink?
No, thank you.
How old are you, Signora?
How much longer will you persist with this life of yours?
I might die in a house fire tomorrow.
What about your soul, then?
-Everything's a risk, though. -Take the risk with us.
Why not give it all up and come back to the convent with me?
-The convent? -Yes.
That place is not your house, Concetta.
Your house has a hundred rooms, gardens,
gardeners, and on the ceilings, there are illustrations of the Gods.
The house of my father. No longer mine, not anymore.
And sometimes this is his house.
Do you want to come to bring me close to God,
or would you rather you were here to punish your father, Princess?
Last year my own father came here from our village.
It was over a decade since his last visit.
He saw how I was living.
My apartment and everything I had in it.
He knew I was unmarried.
He spat in my face and returned to his village
We could pray together if you want.
He has given up.
Unlike mine, your father loves you and believes in you, Concetta.
He's desperate for you to change your mind and return home.
And nothing you can do will ever change that.
I will not sit here and be preached to
by you on the nature of my father's love, signora.
Fine, then be preached to on this.
You have to have hope in the feelings that exist in the world.
I'm aware of what happened to you, Princess.
The betrayal you suffered.
How close you came to touching that ecstasy,
and to feeling your first moment of desire.
All that will return once again.
Your heart will ache, I know.
But better to live than slowly die.
[tense music rises]
[Concetta sighs]
Your life is your own, signora.
I've done what I can to help you.
And I you.
[priest giving Mass in Latin]
[nuns] Amen.
[sombre music continues]
[priest continues speaking Latin]
[priest] Sister Elena, from today,
you no longer bear the name of your father.
Receive the ring of faith,
the seal of the Holy Spirit
Now you are the wife of God.
[indistinct chatter]
[sombre tune subsides]
[man] Get up! Come on! This way!
Move! Make way!
[man] Get up! Move!
Make way!
Russo, you can deal with them.
We've only come to inspect the mines here. We haven't come here to cause trouble.
In the name of the Prince of Salina.
And seeing as you are her,
while you're at it, inspect my arsehole too!
Let's leave, Don Paolo.
We can always return with more men.
Don Calogero, your best two men.
Hmm. Go on, you two.
[Calogero] You go ahead. My old lungs can't take this, I'm afraid.
Go ahead, go ahead, go ahead.
[Paolo] In the name of my father, I insist you let me survey the mine!
[music grows suspenseful]
Don Paolo.
Don Paolo, you shouldn't do it.
Don Paolo, I beg you. you.
Russo, you're a coward.
An ignoble villain, a despicable coward!
-[man 1] That's close enough, you bastard! -[man 2] Drop it!
[man 1] Stop! I'm warning you!
[gun fires]
-[horse whinnies] -[tense music building]
[breeze blowing gently]
[Fabrizio] You're as cold as ice today.
What's wrong with you?
It's nothing, Prince. I just…
I don't feel so passionate today.
[Fabrizio chuckles]
Oh, she doesn't feel so passionate! I see.
The world really has been turned upside down.
How has this been left here?
[angrily] What is this doing here?
You and Concetta?
That trouble starter.
What makes her believe she can meddle in my personal life?
And you, why would you see her?
Tell me, how dare you?
I wanted to help you.
You'd do well to remember you help me with one thing.
[slams book]
Actually, used to anyway.
[distant gunfire]
[breathing heavily]
[pounding on door]
[intense music playing]
He kept on talking and talking, without even taking a breath.
It was making me feel out of breath.
[Fabrizio] Open this door!
[pounding continues]
[Fabrizio] Open this bloody door!
[bell ringing]
[bell continues ringing insistently]
[music intensifies]
[percussive music ends]
[knock on door]
[Concetta] Mother, did you send for me?
My father gave it to me.
Do you use it for the study of the sky?
If I did, he would be happy.
And that's why you haven't.
-It's dotted, white. -[man] It is exquisite brushwork.
-It's very lifelike. -Good evening.
Fabrizio, this is, um…
Cavaliere Chevalley of Monterzuolo. Pleased to meet you.
[Stella] An associate of Tancredi's. From Turin.
I'm in no state to talk. I'm going to bed now.
[Stella] Fabrizio…
-[sighs] He must be exhausted. -No need for an apology.
[sombre music playing]
[Concetta sighs]
[Chevalley] My Princess.
-Please, have a seat. -Good morning, Father.
Did my poor manners offend you last night?
If they did, I beg to be excused.
No, there is nothing to be excused for. I've been looked after exceptionally well.
Cavaliere, do you drink coffee?
Perhaps a glass of ice water, if you don't mind?
Would you like to remove your jacket, Cavaliere?
[Cavaliere] Ah, Yes.
That's only granted to people coming from the north.
[group laughs]
I mean it. She would never allow me to do that.
If you need to cool down, perhaps you should sample our granita?
Thank you.
-Thank you. -[Fabrizio] Pass him the cream.
The cream makes it even better.
Mm.
[sighs] It's magnificent.
[Stella laughs softly]
Yesterday I read a letter that I received from my nephew Tancredi.
In it, he mentioned that you would have a proposal for me.
Yes, uh…
Perhaps now is not…
There are no secrets kept from my family here.
[sighs]
The government intends to nominate a number of illustrious Sicilians
as senators of the kingdom.
There is no name more illustrious than yours, My Prince.
You've come all this way to propose that I join you
in this esteemed senate of yours for the new Italy, yes?
This Italy is for everybody, Prince.
-Try telling that to Paolo. -[group chuckles]
Cavaliere…
Don Fabrizio, um… is a peer of the Kingdom of Sicily.
Senator? Do you not think that post is low-ranking for a man of his name?
[Fabrizio] Princess.
The Cavaliere has not made the long journey here to insult me.
Fabrizio, surely you're not being…
Please go on.
Thank you, my Prince.
As you are aware, the unification of Italy is not yet complete.
Venice is still under Austrian rule, and Rome belongs to the Pope.
Am I to believe that Garibaldi is preparing to march on Rome?
Yes, however, the King prohibits it.
An army from Italy marching against the Pope
would signify the immediate start of a war with France.
And finally, end this new kingdom of yours.
[family laughs]
-That should do it. -The country is young and fragile.
It needs the strongest to put their shoulder to the wheel.
It'll be stronger with Sicily, and be stronger with the Leopard.
[footsteps approaching]
Signor Mario!
[speaking indistinctly]
My Prince.
Don Paolo.
[tense music playing]
Your mother, your sisters, keep them away! Stop them there!
[Francesco] Just stay here!
[music intensifies]
[Chiara weeping]
[Francesco] Chiara, don't! Chiara!
[Stella, crying] Paolo! No!
No!
[Francesco] Mama!
[Stella wails] No!
No!
My prince, it was the horse's fault.
No!
It was the horse's fault.
My prince.
[horse whinnies in pain]
Come with me.
Come here, Stella.
Come away, Stella.
Come with me.
-[sounds fade] -[sombre music peaks, fades]
[melancholic music playing]
[indistinct murmuring]
[mourners reciting the Hail Mary in Latin]
[softly] Paolo.
[music intensifies]
I'm sorry, my Prince.
Deepest condolences.
Our grief is without limit.
[sombre vocals rise]
[softly] Concetta.
[mournful vocals building]
[gasps softly]
[sighs]
[music fades out slowly]
BASED ON THE LEOPARD BY GIUSEPPE TOMASI DI LAMPEDUSA
[music fades]
[dramatic strings playing]
[music ends]