The Sicilian (1987)

Egocentric bandit Salvatore Giuliano fights the Church, the Mafia, and the landed gentry while leading a populist movement for Sicilian independence.

Director:

Michael Cimino

Writers:

Mario Puzo (novel), Steve Shagan (screenplay)

Stars:

Christopher Lambert, Terence Stamp, Joss Ackland

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Lambert	...	Salvatore Giuliano
Terence Stamp	...	Prince Borsa
Joss Ackland	...	Don Masino Croce
John Turturro	...	Pisciotta
Richard Bauer	...	Hector Adonis
Barbara Sukowa	...	Camilla, Duchess of Crotone
Giulia Boschi	...	Giovanna Ferra
Ray McAnally	...	Trezza
Barry Miller	...	Dr. Nattore
Andreas Katsulas	...	Passatempa
Michael Wincott	...	Cpl. Silvestro Canio
Derrick Branche	...	Terranova
Richard Venture	...	Cardinal of Palermo
Ramon Bieri	...	Quintana
Stanko Molnar	...	Silvio Ferra

Storyline

Giuliano robs from the rich conservative landowners to give to the poor, serf-like peasants, who in turn hail him as their savior. As his popularity grows, so does his ego, and he eventually thinks he is above the power of his backer, Mafia Don Masino Croce. The Don, in turn, sets out to kill the upstart by convincing his cousin and closest advisor Pissciota to assassinate him

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Plot Keywords:

italy | mafia | sicilian | mafia don | landed gentry | 

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Taglines:

Only one man ever dared to stand alone.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 October 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Sizilianer

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,720,351, 25 October 1987

Gross USA:

$5,406,879

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,406,879

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gladden Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min 146 min (Director's Cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Cimino cast Joss Ackland after seeing him in Shadowlands (1985).

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Goofs

When Don Masino goes to meet Giuliano the camera crew are clearly visible reflected in the open door of the car.

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Quotes

Cpl. Silvestro Canio: Aren't you a bit young to be declaring war on Rome?
Salvatore Giuliano: At my age Alexander the Great had conquered half the world. They called him "Fire from Heaven."
Cpl. Silvestro Canio: Alexander? He wasn't a Sicilian like you an me. There's no fire in our heaven to fall.

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Alternate Versions

Originally released at 115 minutes in the USA. A 146-minutes director's cut is available on video and at least in Europe as a region 2 DVD.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Sicilian/Prince of Darkness/No Man's Land/The Glass Menagerie/The Whales of August (1987)

User Reviews

Not such a bad movie

This is a very well made movie, especially as it concerns scenery and camera angles. However, the tempo of the movie is a little slow and after the initial fifteen minutes or so its seems to emphasize a lot on character development rather then unraveling a plot quickly to keep you interested. This movie gave me the impression that it was intended for a more subdued audience. Eventually it picks up here and there with some violent retribution from those that have betrayed Giuliano.

I can't emphasis enough about the scenery since that seemed to compensate for the poor dialogue a lot of the time. John Turturro was great in this movie as well as Chris Lambert. The character of Don Masino carried this movie as your classic stolid and shrewed mafia boss and Giuliano, whom Masino admires, poses a threat to his power.