The Leopard Film / Novel Comparison

Visconti's film of 'The Leopard' differs from the novel in various aspects, one being the order that events occur. In the beginning of the film, Visconti adds a scene showing what happened in the past that the book does not go into detail about. By adding the scene in the beginning, the viewers receive insight about the characters and the plot and it prepares them for the upcoming events. It would have been very difficult for Visconti to follow the novel more strictly without making the movie less entertaining and boring the audience.

Lampedusa begins the novel, "The daily recital of the rosary was over" (Lampedusa, 5). The book continues saying that after the rosary everyone continues with their normal routines, while Father Pirrone resumes prayer. Later in the book we find out that a month earlier a soldier was found dead in the garden. "He remembered the nausea . . . the corpse of a young soldier of the Fifth Regiment of Sharp-shooters who had been wounded in the skirmish with the rebels at San Lorenzo and come up there to die, all alone, under a lemon tree" (Lampedusa 10).

Instead of beginning from a month later, the film starts the day the soldier was found dead. It shows the characters in the room saying the rosary. You can hear a lot of background noise that sounds like people arguing. A young man on the side of Fabrizio tries to get up and find out what all the commotion is about. Fabrizio stops him as he is getting up and motions for him to stay saying the rosary. This shows the viewer that Fabrizio has a great respect for the church and his religion as he will not even let his grown nephew leave during prayer. As the arguing continues an old man in the back stands up and leaves the room to discover the reason for the noise.

A short while later the rosary is finished, and the old man reenters the room. He tells Fabrizio that a
soldier was found dead in the garden, and he hands Fabrizio a letter from Duke Malvica. Everyone crowds around Fabrizio and listens. While reading the letter the viewer is informed of the landing of the Ponteleone and the trouble of the soldiers. The book does not provide information on as many different events and emotions that occurred that day, but it provides deeper thoughts of Fabrizio as he saw and smelled the corpse in the garden.

In the letter, Duke Malvica suggests to Fabrizio that he should take refuge on a British warship. In disgusted response, Fabrizio exclaims, "What a rabbit!" From Fabrizio's expression, tone of voice, and his gestures the viewers can tell that he doesn't think too highly of Duke Malvica. The viewer infers Fabrizio thinks of the Duke as a coward for his actions. As Fabrizio walks into another room reading the news article about the attack he is followed by the rosary group. On their faces are expressions of fear and concern as they listen intently to Fabrizio. Fabrizio declares that he will be going to Palermo.

A young woman begins to cry and is comforted by Concetta and other women. Fabrizio then tells Father Pirrone that he will be joining him on the trip to Palermo. Pirrone has an expression of reluctance and disappointment as he stongly does not want to go to Palermo. He feels it is too dangerous, along with the young crying woman. Fabrizio then leaves, while Father Pirrone and a group of mostly women continue praying.

Visconti's film version of 'The Leopard' expands on the novel version, filling in holes that the book creates. Using the visual and audio mediums, the film is able to give the reader a greater grasp on the story as a whole. By actually seeing what is written in the book, the reader can visualize how everything fits together as it happens, allowing for greater understanding and meaningfulness of the written words. Although, the film does lack in places that the novel excels.

In the film, the viewer can create assumptions and analyze the characters based on their facial expression, their word choice, their tone of voice, and how they are presented. The novel is able to give greater descriptions and depth of the thoughts and emotions, whereas in the film, what the viewer perceives depends on how well it portrayed by Visconti. The same is true for the writing, but it is much harder to show the depth of the characters' inner thoughts and feelings without boring your audience with long voiceovers and monologues.

Visconti's Rosary scene shows the viewers how the events occurred on the discovery of the dead soldier; whereas, the book only makes a reference to that day from a month later. Visconti expands on the novel by providing accurate portrayals of its characters. The viewer receives a greater understanding of the visual concept of the setting and execution of plot events how Lampedusa describes them in the book.

References:

novel- 'The Leopard' by Guiseppe di Lampedusa
film- 'The Leopard' by Visconti