646f9e108c Egocentric bandit Salvatore Giuliano fights the Church, the Mafia, and the landed gentry while leading a populist movement for Sicilian independence. 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 Despite the score of 4.8/10, I still picked up The Sicilian in the DVD bargain bin since I liked Christopher Lambert in Highlander and Fortress. I'm not gonna say Christopher Lambert is the greatest actor in the world but I guess he did OK in this. They've got some good supporting actors such as Joss Ackland and John Turturro that bring life to the movie. I like this movie a lot. It is MUCH better than the trash Lambert has starred in the past five years [i.e. Fortress 2, Absolon]. This movie deserves more than a 4.8…more like a 6.5+. Michael Cimino has got to be one of the greatest directors ever but I guess after Heavens Gate, people lost faith in him. Oh well. If you're looking for a spin-off Godfather type movie with the 'Highlander', it's worth a rent. It's post-war Sicily. Salvatore Giuliano (Christopher Lambert) and his friend Pisciotta (John Turturro) steal grain for the poor. They are stopped by the police and Salvatore kills one of them. They steal two horses from land gentry Prince Borsa (Terence Stamp) during the escape. Salvatore catches the eye of Borsa's American wife Camilla (Barbara Sukowa). Salvatore takes on the conservative land owners, the church and the mafia to steal for the poor peasants. Mafia Don Masino Croce (Joss Ackland) is willing to use Salvatore at first until he becomes too powerful.<br/><br/>Director Michael Cimino has grand designs. Sometimes his visuals work and sometimes they don't. I admire the attempt. The story is a muddle. There is no flow. The center of the problem is his casting. I don't understand what he's trying to do. Christopher Lambert is more or less French American but he's playing a Sicilian. Barbara Sukowa is German and yet she's playing an American. At least, she gives off a sense of superiority. He is as stiff as a board. He has certain limits as an actor and this movie shows many of them. I find the first act memorable but the movie crumbles as it goes on.
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