The sunset of an era. Sumptuous, poignant, inevitable. Both Luchino Visconti’s 1963 film and the recent Netflix series reinterpret The Leopard, the literary masterpiece by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa (published by Feltrinelli in 1958), offering a captivating and mesmerized portrayal of the twilight of the Sicilian aristocracy during the years leading up to the island’s annexation into the newly unified Italian state.

Both works aim to immerse the audience in a world of splendor and decay. Yet, beyond the obvious similarities, the stylistic choices and locations used present significant differences. In both the film and the series, two key locations dominate the narrative: the Palermo palace of Prince Salina and the Castle of Donnafugata.