THE LEOPARD
OCTOBER 1862
Your Excellency?
Your Excellency!
Help me sit down.
-Help me sit down. -Slowly, your Excellency.
You did not see anything.
Yes, Your Excellency.
With or without the roses?
With the roses. With the roses…
With the roses.
-We'll miss you this evening, Mama. -Yes.
Perhaps we shouldn't be going as well as a sign of solidarity.
If you don't go to the ball, how will you find a husband to marry?
And this is the last and most important ball of the season.
What about Caterina?
Caterina's too sensible to want one at all.
In fact, you are correct, Francesco.
This looks ravishing, Balsamo.
You're not wearing that. Take it off.
-Fabrizio. -Cesco, you're my heir.
Huh?
You are not a peacock.
Yes, Papa.
Papa.
Yes?
He's arrived.
My Prince.
I am grateful for your hospitality.
We are glad to welcome you.
Princess.
Concetta.
Well, the count has had a long, hard journey.
You should refresh yourself.
Let's go.
I can't tell you how anxious I was to see you again.
All of your letters kept me strong these last few months.
Tell me, Count, how is that friend of yours,
Lieutenant Cavriaghi?
You remember?
He got married… a year ago, Princess.
-Oh. -And will soon be a father.
My Prince. Princess.
My family have been patrons of the Cathedral in Milan for generations.
-Hmm. -Good. That's wonderful for you, Count.
The Archbishop of Milan would,
therefore, like to honour our intended union by marrying us there.
No, thank you.
Count…
In Milan?
That's what I meant, yes.
There would be a reception afterwards in our family's palace.
You're prepared for your decision to mortify our Father Pirrone, are you?
I've no intention to be disrespectful
or appear to be confrontational in any way with you, Prince.
But since your daughter's happiness is now my raison d'être,
I had to oblige her.
The promise of your blessing would be the most valued gift.
It's not possible to promise anything of the sort.
Is it not enough that he'll be taking our daughter away to Milan?
He also wants to deny us a wedding ceremony in Palermo?
He isn't taking her away from here.
It's her who wants to leave.
It may indeed have been requested by Count Bombello,
but it's the will of Concetta.
I don't want to go without you there tonight.
I'm afraid you'll have to do just that.
Do you remember our first dance at a ball?
-A waltz. -Hmm.
It was to Strauss.
-Mm-hmm. -I remember your beauty.
Your dress of richest azure.
And… a breathtaking necklace of sapphires.
And I was the envy of every man there.
Do you remember?
But you chose the best one, no?
What name did you give me?
The prince of princes.
Oh, I'm getting dizzy.
Mm.
Your mother's not coming to the ball?
She's witnessed her son's funeral.
She'll never again be going to a ball.
Don Fabrizio, I'm delighted to have this… occasion to pass some time together,
believe me.
An opportunity for us to talk, I suppose.
As long as you're not about to ask for a higher dowry from me, though.
Papa, what are you saying?
I guarantee you that they are bound to be there too.
Hopefully, there are plenty of handsome counts here tonight!
Looks aren't everything, Chiara.
Chiara, you're shameless!
There he is, Senator Sedara.
Yes.
Fuck, these people have got money dripping out of their bloody arseholes.
Don't be so vulgar.
Ah, Prince!
Senator!
Well, then… this must be your first ball at Ponteleone.
And I have you to thank for all of this.
Being here is a… well, for me, it's a… feast for the senses!
Just a little word of caution.
-Um… Do you mind if I…? -Of course.
Never a tulip with top hat and tails.
-Good evening, Prince. -Good evening.
Will you give our regards to the princess?
I shall be sure to. She'll remember you.
Would you grant me this dance?
This time, you don't need to ask for permission.
Baron, what magnificence!
You couldn't build this now, not with the current price of gold leaf.
How beautiful!!
-And here she is, dearest duchess. -Good evening. Senator.
-Good evening. -Surrounded by youth tonight.
Are you well? Who's that? His daughter? Oh, a beautiful creature.
You know I'm ever so grateful.
I know that he's not making things very easy for you.
He is loath to let you go.
And who wouldn't be?
Well, I can't wait for you and I to leave here.
You're beautiful.
Angelica, my dear. Such a pleasure to see you.
Papa.
You're the brightest star in the sky.
Perhaps we should go over?
You should go over. I need to get myself a glass of water.
I should go.
Come on. Go and have fun.
Let's go and find my uncle.
-Cousins. -Good evening, cousin.
Tancredi.
Good to see you.
Uncle.
I hear you're the greatest dancer in this ballroom.
Promise that I'll be able to waltz with you at some point his evening.
Here he is, the husband-to-be.
Husband to be, indeed, Countess.
Count, you have more fortune than anyone else here in the room.
And so courageous.
Invading Sicily to prize Concetta from the Leopard's hands.
I'd imagine liberating the island was a less daunting mission
than this one.
Do tell us, then. Is that so?
No, the prince has shown kindness and been very welcoming.
I'm proud to be your acquaintance.
And prouder still to have the honour to soon become a part of your family.
See, Don Fabrizio?
Our revolution has indeed brought great gifts to one and all.
You speak as though it's finished.
Italy is a… a nation not yet complete.
I was always under the impression that we were fighting for everyone.
An Italy for all.
I had no idea how much blood would be spilled to enable those who are
profiteering, to wrap themselves in our flag.
Don Calogero, what is your belief on this? Hmm?
What do I believe, Don Fabrizio? I believe that… erm…
Every grand transformation will always bring about some inconveniences.
Last week in the Senate, in my discourse, I mentioned it too.
Where there is banditry, it shall go on no more.
When working men are taken advantage of, we'll liberate them all.
Where there are stains of corruption, we shall remove them.
You've certainly become someone perfectly suited for this new Italy.
So generous of you… Don Fabrizio.
I'm always grateful. Come, Angelica. I have friends here to meet you. Come.
-If you would excuse me as well. -Very well.
-May I have this dance? -Thank you.
I imagine there'll be great anticipation for the Sicilian wedding
of your preferred daughter.
The Leopard's daughter.
Most likely it'll be an extravagant ceremony in Lombardy.
-Lombardy? -It doesn't matter.
Anyway… they're a wonderful match.
Everything else is just an issue of geography.
Whether they marry in Sicily or Lombardy,
your decision, after all, was justified.
What?
That I never deserved Concetta.
You said you wanted Angelica, so I made sure you could have her.
The rest of it doesn't matter anymore.
I practice my 'r' sound every day. That's the secret.
Angelica, would you grant me this dance? Excuse us.
Uncle, don't forget I still want to waltz with you.
Francesco?
Why are you in here?
It's not like you to sit alone in a corner.
No. No, it isn't usual.
Well?
What's wrong, then?
Papa, I…
I don't think I'm ready.
I'm terrified I'll never be able to do it…
Do what?
Be strong as you've been, Papa.
I'm sorry, I…
Have fun in there.
Talk to a beautiful girl in there.
Dance, and forget about it.
Whoever it is you find, it always helps if the father's rich, though. Huh?
Go.
Angelica.
Can you imagine how complicated and difficult it is
to escape the person that you are?
-It was so much easier in Paris. -Excuse me. May I?
Sometimes I catch him looking towards me.
And I know he sees my grandfather and a filthy hut, the birthplace,
as he knows, of my mother.
Of our squalor.
I don't think that is what he would see.
It should have been you, Concetta.
Of course, it should.
In a marriage, a wife can sense it.
What did you two talk about?
Mainly about Paris and…
…I don't know.
Paris.
What's Paris, compared to Sicily?
Do you miss it?
I miss you.
Bombello is a noble gentleman, Concetta.
You deserve a noble gentleman at your side.
Everything has worked out just as it should've done.
In Turin, I shouldn't have…
Prince.
If I may, there's something very important I would like to talk about with you.
Please, have a seat.
Thank you.
You should know…
…you've achieved it.
Your man, Russo…
He's no longer my man. Not anymore.
But it was you who directed him to steal from the land you handed over.
You tell me.
You know I resented my land being taken from me
in the manner in which you did it.
Russo and his men threaten me.
Intimidation… vandalism.
They won't rest, you see… until I'm off my land.
But not before they've completely devalued it.
Why would they want to reduce its value?
Because they are intending to buy it.
Russo doesn't possess the capital to buy your land, though,
be it cheaply or any other way.
Sedara.
That's why, Prince, I've come here…
to beg you, really…
to request you buy back this land.
I beg you to do it.
That's not possible.
Prince, I beg you to buy it. At market value as well.
I'm in no financial position to do that any longer.
Then sell something, goods, properties.
-And ruin my son's portfolio? -Prince, I'm on my knees, begging you.
Begging you! I'm on my knees, begging you.
What is it you want from me? Tell me…
Stand up and listen to me!
I'm afraid all of us are heading for destitution.
You've just beat us to the finish line.
Excuse me.
Angelica.
I couldn't find you.
Where were you?
Careful!
Signorina, you can't leave me just like that!
Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me, Signorina.
-Oh, I'm sorry, Signorina! -You're excused.
A month learning how to dance polka, and they're playing a mazurka.
The confidence of a satisfied man!
I'm sorry?
-I am appealing to your sense of kindness. -Of course.
In the near future, the former governor of… Palermo, Leonforte,
will approach you to request that you buy his land.
When you agree to do so, as I know you will, just ensure
that the deal you reach is a fair price for him, huh?
Valued by the market, as a minimum.
Ah.
You see, Don Fabrizio, mm…
if I give in to this request from Leonforte…
I'm bound to earn a reputation however as, um…
compassionate, you see.
Earlier this evening you said it to me.
We are all surrounded by banditry, by corruption, and…
and extortion as well.
Aren't we going to fight this new species of person
who previously had nothing, and now, all these people want more and more?
-And they're terrifying, are they not? -No, they can't be blamed.
-Oh no? -No, they're beasts.
It's to do with their nature.
When they have a carcass between their teeth,
they have to strip it bare!
Until it's all gone.
You noble classes…
To be honest, I don't know what you are.
However, I do understand
how all your business affairs can feel onerous.
You're exhausted by all of your properties.
You find the whole thing distasteful.
Although it doesn't really affect you.
And then you feel indifferent… in the face of ruin.
Yours as well as that of others.
But there are those of us who have worked hard for what we have…
and that means that we treat every deal as though it's the first and maybe last.
We can never take a single cent for granted, my species.
And ultimately
that'll be the reason why,
in 200 years,
we'll have outlived you all.
The most annoying things, aren't they?
Anyway, you can feel free to
tell the ex-governor, Leonforte… and anyone else who is interested,
that with the deepest of respect,
I'll pay what I choose
and not half a cent more.
Excuse me?
Colonel! Where were you hiding?
You promised me a waltz, Uncle.
As long as my husband isn't jealous, though.
When your uncle's as elegant and handsome as mine,
it's essential to reserve the right to jealousy.
Please.
A waltz, then.
Oh God!
Thank you.
If you'll excuse me.
Allow me.
These…
faded women.
These stupid men.
They're nothing more than defenseless prey
who are only granted a few pitiful rays of light to thrive on…
between their cradle and their deathbed.
We were the family of great leopards,
and of lions.
Those who will replace us all, they're jackals, hyenas.
Everything will be different, but worse.
The leopards out there,
jackals, sheep…
We'll all go on thinking of ourselves as the genuine salt of the earth.
We should leave now, Papa.
No, there's still plenty to do.
I think it's enough for today.
You may marry your Bombello wherever you like, even in Greenland.
Providing I'm there with you, huh?
Bendicò, good boy.
Would you like to see the roses that blossomed the other night, Concetta?
Come.
Let's see.
They're magnificent.
In one night,
they flourished, just like that.
Look.
Beautiful.
But what about this one here?
Have you seen anything as marvellous as that?
-So many buds. Look. -Beautiful.
One, two, three, four… There'll be more blossoming.
Look at this one.
Each one is my pride and joy.
How wonderful.
Papa!
Papa! Oh my God!
Anyone there? Anyone?
Mama!
Help! Someone help! Help me!
-Papa! -Fabrizio!
Open your eyes, Fabrizio!
-Fabrizio! -Your Excellency!
Fabrizio, look at me!
It's like I explained to him.
It's a grave condition of the brain.
I'm sorry to say
the tumour is worse than I thought.
But how has this happened to you?
Why didn't you tell me? Fabrizio!
Not you too, Fabrizio. Please!
I'll be all right.
-You'll be all right. -All right.
You'll be all right.
It's all right.
Cesco, close the shutters.
Father, help him.
By this holy unction and by His own most tender mercy,
may God indulge thee…
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
I hope I can make you proud.
…and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Ciao, Papa.
-Tancredi. -Aunt.
He needs you now.
Come.
We thought you'd left.
Yes, but I returned as soon as I found out.
Uncle…
I…
I don't want to deceive you.
Mm. It seems you're not surprised at all.
Why would you expect me to be, Princess?
I don't expect that you can forgive me either.
But answer one question for me, at least.
Did you ever believe that you would actually marry me?
Yes.
I did.
This afternoon, I'll be sure to take my leave of you.
If you'll excuse me.
I'm here.
It had to happen sooner or later.
The moment to settle things, the time is here.
I have to really delve
into all the ashes and mountains of rubble
to find specks of gold that are hidden there
of happiness.
The day I married Stella.
Then…
all our rides together…
the times we enjoyed with each other on horseback.
My first cravat of silk…
An unknown perfume drifting towards you when you see a beautiful lady
that's gone as you pass each other by on the street.
A perfect sunrise, just the other morning.
With Concetta.
Oh, Concetta.
Please let me breathe fresh air.
You're not alone.
I saw Bombello depart here.
Will you return to Milan with him?
No.
What will happen now?
Concetta.
What about us?
Is there nothing that I'm able to fix?
Hmm.
Mm.
Always be a friend to me, though.
It's important you know that I'll put you before everyone else, always.
Everybody.
Concetta…
Papa…
Listen…
Only you must…
always protect…
all of our family.
Francesco… will have the title…
You have to… guide, though.
Tell me…
you comprehend.
It's only you.
I comprehend.
I comprehend, Papa.
My girl.
Soon it will…
-Be all right. -Be all right.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee.
Blessed art Thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee.
Blessed art Thou…
Prince.
My condolences, Prince.
Have courage, cousin.
Angelica, that's enough now.
My Princess.
My Prince.
My deepest condolences.
This way, please.
Please, Russo. Hmm?
My Prince.
Donna Concetta.
Russo.
It appears your arrival here's past due, Signore.
This here property and all of the others that belonged to Leonforte
are now in our possession.
I thought you and I had agreed on our own arrangement.
We simply offered a higher price.
That's how this works, I believe.
You may still have your family name,
but we all know you no longer have this amount of money.
I assumed that you knew.
Our cousin just got married to a very wealthy lady.
Or should I say, a lady with a very wealthy father.
Please go ahead and tell your employer
we have outbid him by using his own savings.
Princess… this will change nothing.
All of you lot…
you're all sheep.
And here, we shear sheep.
We shear them.
Come to Mama.
Oh Lord, bless this holy relic of our beloved Saint Catherine.
Signore and signori, Giuseppe Garibaldi!
Long live Garibaldi!
BASED ON "THE LEOPARD" BY GIUSEPPE TOMASI DI LAMPEDUSA