It is not easy to name one favourite film - there are so many great ones. But, if you ask me, I would probably choose Visconti´s Il Gattopardo, based on Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa´s novel on the same name.
Luchino Visconti di Modrone, Count of Lonate Pozzolo, was born into a noble family in Milan. His background made him the ideal person to convert Lampedusa´s novel to a cinematic masterpiece. Visconti was familiar with the life and traditions of the Italian nobility. And the fact that he also was a communist - at least in some stage of his life - does not in any way detract from his stature as a film director.
The film is also a testimony to the greatnesss of Burt Lancaster in the main role. Lancaster was the choice of the film´s producers At first Visconti was not at all pleased with this choice, but before long he realized the greatness of the Hollywood star, and this was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
The beautiful Claudia Cardinale is another of the main attractions in Visconti´s film.
Here is the trailer for the Leopard:
The Leopard is available e.g. here. Buy it, if you already do not have the film!
PS
(added on 25 January, 2012)
A beautifully restored version of The Leopard is now also available on blu-ray. Strongly recommended!
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