CRITERION has released the classic Italian film, "THE LEOPARD," starring Burt Lancaster. Prince Don Fabrizio Salina(Lancaster) is trying in vain to hold off the the inevitable, as Democracy has begun to take hold in Sicily.  In an attempt to win favor with the new mayor, Salina invites him to his estate for a lavish dinner. When the mayor arrives, bringing his beautiful daughter(Claudia Cardinale)with him, her stunning beauty sets off rivalries and political intrigue. Director Luchino Visconti adapts the source material without the film becoming mired in a particular social perspective. It showcases the crucial times of Italy's "Risorgimento," with beauty, stunning sets, costumes and more, in a way that screams "epic," with the historical events fading into the background. It suits the film fine, as "THE LEOPARD" is at its heart, pure Visconti! It's reflective, poignant and at times, even stirring. Still, those anticipating any tense drama, will be disappointed. The film, offered in its original 185 minute version(with Lancaster's voice dubbed in Italian) and even the shorter 161 minute English version(with Lancaster's own voice) have more than a few moments grinding to a halt. Even spectacle can become tedious, as is evident here.

The acting is quite good all around, and surprisingly, even in the dubbed version, "Lancaster's" abilities are in full-force! He's magnificent here. Claudia Cardinale is well suited for her role, and while it's easy to overlook her abilities due to her stunning looks, she brings forth a commanding presence, giving the portrayal of Angelica, layers that make her more complex than the typical gold-digger.  While big in scope, but not in development, "THE LEOPARD" is still a film that needs to be seen. Imperfect as it is, it reminds audiences of a time wherein "big" films could be made that were risky for vastly different reasons than the ones associated with big films today. Visconti was able to experiment in ways, and the result is ultimately, rewarding.

CRITERION has provided the correct 2.21:1 aspect ratio for this AVC MPEG-4 1080p blu-ray.  Colors are as lavish as the sets, and it's immediately obvious that "THE LEOPARD" in its "original version," is one of the best looking transfers available on blu-ray. Detail in every scene is stunning! Colors appear dead-on, and contrast is flawless, an impressive feat for a film of 1963! The "English" version doesn't fare as well. While colors are often impressive, detail is hindered in more than a few scenes by numerous age-related defects, dirt, scratches, and more! It's not "bad," but when compared to the beauty of the original version, it's a no-brainer as to which one should be watched.

CRITERION has provided a DTS-HD Mono mix. Fidelity on both versions is fine. The music, dialogue and effects never suffer from distortion. It's as good as one could hope for, without the risk associated with "re-mixing" the film's original elements for 5.1.

Extras, include many carried over from Criterion's dvd release. In addition to a great commentary, a documentary made by Criterion, offers interviews with surviving cast and crew, along with the late Sidney Pollack, who oversaw the film's dubbing for the American version.

Also, a 16 page-color booklet, with pictures and an essay, is offered.