THE SICILIAN
US, 1987, 115 minutes, Colour.
Christopher Lambert, Terence Stamp, Barbara Sukowa, John Turturro, Joss Ackland, Ray McAnally?, Barry Miller.
Directed by Michael Cimino.
The Sicilian is an adaptation of the novel by Mario Puzo on the Sicilian rebel and outlaw, Salvatore Giuliano. (Giuliano was the subject of a film of the same name in Italy in the early '60s.) The adaptation was made by Steve Shagan (The Formula and other thrillers). The film was directed lavishly by Michael Cimino (Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, The Deer Hunter, Heaven's Gate, Year of the Dragon).
Christopher Lambert is Salvatore Giuliano - a pleasing presence but perhaps not persuasively strong enough for the character he portrays. Joss Ackland, on the other hand, is excellent as the Mafia chief, Don Masino. The film has an international cast including Terence Stamp as Prince Borsa, John Turturro as Giuliano's cousin Aspanu.
The film is shot on magnificent Sicilian locations. It has great sweep, re-creates the post-war period in Sicily. However, perhaps because of the central performance, it is not as persuasive as it might have been. However, it does raise questions about rebels, landowners, the Mafia and the government, the Catholic Church and life in Sicily.
1. The impact of the film? A Sicilian hero and rebel? The portrait of Salvatore Giuliano?
2. The work of Michael Cimino, successes and failures? Movies on the grand scale? Mario Puzo and his work? Perspective? The Panavision photography, locations, period, Panavision? The musical score?
3. The title and its focus on Giuliano? On Sicily and Italy? On the Mafia?
4. The focus on Aspanu and the professor in prison? The flashback? The memories of Giuliano, the perspective? From whose point of view?
5. Salvatore Giuliano as hero, his age, background, in the fields with Aspanu and the coffin, the attack, the shooting of the police, Giuliano being shot, recuperation in the Franciscan friary? The meeting with Julia? The police search? The strength of his motivation, wanting to provide food and land for the peasants? The support of the peasants? Sicily's social condition during World War Two, the aftermath? The long traditions of the landowners?
6. Giuliano in himself, his character, his place in his group? The liberation of prisoners? Swearing them in as his assistants? His reliance on Aspanu? Life in the hills, the various missions? The kidnappings? The giving of information to the police and Giuliano's vengeance? The barber, his trial and execution? Giuliano giving his shoes to his son? His reputation throughout the island?
7. The politics of Sicily in the period? Don Masino and his admiration for Giuliano, wanting him for his son? The role of the professor as go-between? The prince, his American guests, their lifestyle? The kidnapping of the prince, his return? Money? The attacks on various groups? The role of the Italian government? Paying for disrupting the election, especially the communists? The shootings, the priest and his torture?
8. Giuliano's vision, Italy, Sicily? The possibility of his going to America, his decision to stay? The encounter with the cardinal, the prince and Don Masino? the role of church and state and Mafia? The betrayal of Giuliano? By Aspanu? On the boat, his being shot? Lying on the streets?
9. The portrait of Aspanu, his relationship with Giuliano, sharing his experience? Standing by him? Why was he able to be bought? Why turn against his cousin? In prison, emaciated? The professor killing him?
10. The professor and his role, his limp, his lecturing in the university, his speeches? His relationship with Don Masino? The intervention about Masino's nephew and his wanting to be a doctor? As a go-between, inciting rebellion? At the end?
11. Don Masino and the Mafia traditions, the landowners, the wealthy baron? His wealth, power? His food being tasted? Wanting a son in Giuliano? Supporting him? His visits to Rome and discussions with the politician? His decisions about the election, the deal? His manner, power, confrontation of Giuliano with the cardinal and the prince?
12. The prince and his lifestyle, Camilla and her visit, his hobbies, his being taken, treatment, ransom, his presence at the final meeting?
13. The cardinal, the role of the church in Sicily, anti-communist? The taking of the cardinal, the threats to him, throwing him out of the car? His self-estimation?
14. The prisoners freed by Giuliano, going into his band, becoming his henchmen, their killing the communists in the procession, the links with Don Masino, Giuliano executing them?
15. Julia and her brother, Giuliano's love for her, the marriage, the priest? The assassination of her brother? The end and her leaving with her child?
16. A portrait of Italy, '40s politics, the experience of the war, traditions? Sicilian justice? The bandit hero and his concern for people? His inexperience and being used? His reputation?