The Leopard (Il Gattopardo)

THE LEOPARD

OCTOBER 1862

Your Excellency?

Your Excellency!

Help me to sit…

Sit down.

You haven't seen anything.

Yes, Your Excellency.

With or without the roses?

With the roses. With them.

With the roses.

-We'll miss you tonight, Mama. -I know.

Perhaps we should stay here in solidarity.

How will you find a husband if you don't go to the ball?

This is the last and most exclusive ball of the season.

And what about Caterina?

Caterina's too wise to want a husband.

Indeed, I'm not looking for one.

This looks amazing, Balsamo.

Take that off.

-Fabrizio. -Cesco, you're my heir.

You're not a peacock.

Yes, Papa.

Papa.

Yes?

He's here.

Prince.

Thank you for your hospitality.

You are welcome.

Princess.

Concetta.

Well, the Count has had a long, hard journey.

Come and eat something.

Let's go inside.

I can't tell you how anxious I was to see you again.

Your letters

sustained me over these last few months.

Tell me, Count.

Your friend,

Lieutenant Cavriaghi,

how is he?

He was married last year, Princess.

And he is expecting a child soon.

Prince. Princess.

My family have been patrons of Milan Cathedral for generations.

Good. We're happy for you, Count.

Therefore, the Archbishop of Milan would like

to honor our union by marrying us there.

No, thank you.

Count!

In Milan?

That's right, yes.

Afterward, there would be a reception in our family's palazzo.

You seem quite determined to mortify our own Father Pirrone.

I have no doubt this may feel

like a great disrespect to 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

a most valued gift.

I can promise no such thing.

Is it not enough for him to take our daughter off to Milan?

He's now robbing us of a wedding in Palermo.

He's not taking her anywhere.

She wants to go.

They may be Count Bombello's words,

but it's Concetta's will.

I don't want to go without you tonight.

Well, you must.

Do you remember our first dance?

It was a waltz.

By Strauss, I think.

You looked so beautiful.

You wore a cerulean dress.

And you wore…

You wore a sapphire necklace.

I was the envy of every man.

Do you remember?

But you chose well, didn't you?

What did you call me?

The prince of princes.

The prince of princes.

I'm getting dizzy.

Is your mother not coming to the ball?

Her son is dead.

She will never go to a ball again.

Don Fabrizio, I'm happy for this chance to spend some time together.

It's a chance for us to talk.

I hope you're not going to ask for a higher dowry.

Papa, please!

Let's hope there's a handsome count there!

Looks aren't everything, Chiara.

Is that Senator Sedara?

Yes.

Fuck!

These people have money coming out of their assholes!

Don't be a boor, Russo.

Prince!

Senator.

So,

this is your first Ponteleone ball.

All this thanks to you.

Being here, for me,

is a feast for the senses!

A word of advice.

-May I? -Of course.

Never a tulip with tails.

-Good evening, Prince. -Welcome.

Give our regards to the princess.

Would you grant me this dance?

You don't need to ask permission this time.

What magnificence!

You couldn't build this now, with the price of gold leaf!

How beautiful!

And here she is.

-Dearest duchess. -Don Calogero.

Senator.

I really am grateful.

I know he's not making things easy for you.

He is reluctant to let you go.

Who wouldn't be?

Well, I can't go soon enough.

-You look wonderful. -My Angelica!

You're the brightest star in the sky!

Shall we go and say hello?

You go.

I need a glass of water.

All right, Concetta.

Let's say hello to my uncle.

Cousins.

Welcome.

Tancredi.

Uncle.

Uncle.

I hear you're quite the dancer.

Promise me a waltz together later.

Oh, here comes the betrothed!

I am indeed, Countess.

You're the most fortunate of men, Count.

And the bravest.

You've come here to pry Concetta from the Leopard's hands.

I expect liberating Sicily was a less daunting mission.

Do tell.

Is that so?

No, the Prince has been kind and welcoming.

I'm proud to know you, sir.

And prouder still to be a part of this family.

See, Don Fabrizio?

Our revolution has brought us all great gifts.

You speak as though it's over.

Italy is still a half-finished nation.

I thought we were fighting for an Italy that belonged to all.

If I'd known so much blood would be spilled

so that a few profiteers

could wrap themselves in our flag…

Don Calogero, what do you think?

What do I think, Don Fabrizio? I think…

that every big change, every transformation

brings about some inconveniences.

I told the Senate this in my address last week.

Where there is banditry, we will crush it.

Where men are exploited, we will free them.

Where there is the stain of corruption,

we will clean it.

You really are the perfect man for this Italy.

You're too kind, Don Fabrizio.

As always.

Come, Angelica. I have some introductions.

-Please excuse me. -Of course.

-May I? -Thank you.

I imagine there's great anticipation for the Sicilian wedding

of the Leopard's favorite daughter.

Most likely it'll be a great Lombard wedding.

-Lombard? -Yes, but…

Look at them. They really are a fine couple.

Everything else is just an issue of geography.

Whether they marry in Sicily or Lombardy,

you know you made the right choice.

Which one?

I never deserved Concetta.

You wanted Angelica. I fixed it for you.

That’s all there is to it.

Rien ne va plus. How do you say it?

Rien.

The secret is in the "r". I take lessons every day.

Angelica, would you grant me this dance? Excuse us.

Don't forget our waltz, Uncle.

Francesco.

What are you doing here?

It's not like you to sit alone in a corner.

No. I suppose it isn't.

Well?

What's going on?

Papa, I…

I don't know what to do.

I'm terrified I can't do it.

Do what?

Be like you, Papa.

I'm sorry.

Go and enjoy yourself.