Mario Martinez Ignacio is a writer from Mexico City. As a child, he spent most of his free time deep-diving into online wikis, which sparked a passion for lore and worldbuilding. Driven by his love for writing, Mario obtained a BFA in Dramatic Writing at the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2024. With the objective of inspiring others, he fuses writing and education to create narratives that entertain while igniting curiosity and fostering new perspectives, one word at a time.
Mar 17, 2025
Table of Contents
‘The Leopard’ explores how the legendary Garibaldi’s conquest affected and altered noble life in Italy and society as they knew it.
After being in exile for 14 years, where he found himself involved in both the Uruguayan Civil War and the Ragamuffin War, Giuseppe Garibaldi first returned to Italy in 1948, immediately finding himself involved in the middle of the 1848 Revolutions, after contributing to various campaigns across Italy, including his work as a major general during the Second Italian War of Independence in 1859. Eventually, as the year 1860 came, Garibaldi and his Redshirts volunteers began their Expedition of the Thousand in an attempt to conquer the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Utilizing this unique tumultuous era of Sicily as the primary setting, author Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa explores the profound societal change that the Italian region faced upon the arrival of Garibaldi’s forces, more specifically from the eyes of those in the falling nobility.
Starring Kim Rossi Stuart as the pragmatic Prince of Salina Don Fabrizio Corbera, Benedetta Porcaroli as Fabrizio’s favorite and second-oldest daughter Concetta Corbera, and Saul Nanni as Fabrizio’s adaptable nephew Tancredi Falconert. With Netflix’s ‘The Leopard’ miniseries, creator Richard Warlow attempts to bring us a second adaptation of Lampedusa’s novel after the 1963 Italian film.
The 19th century was a time of Resurgence all across Europe. Not only was it been one of the centuries that saw most wars, but it was also one that was marked by humanity’s search for change, with the Age of Revolution being a fundamental event across the continent.
‘The Leopard’, in all its versions, effectively allows audiences to see how the “Risorgimento” affected Italy, more categorically the now region of Sicily. Whether it was Garibaldi’s invasion in May 1960 or the eventual proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy one year later, the show profoundly dives into a deepened exploration of the psychological effects that would come with such changes, focusing more on how this political shift could affect the nobility that has been in that position for centuries.
The Corbera family dynamics seem to stand on a thin line between the relatable and the drastically incomprehensible. Creating a uniquely leveled balance that allows each character’s personality to shine while still making the family feel and look exceedingly privileged. The blend of tradition and modernity, the clash of old values with new forces, perfectly encapsulates the internal conflicts that come with social and political upheaval. A tension between preservation and transformation, stability and revolution, fuels the emotional complexity of each character’s journey.
Exploring themes of love and the true meaning of power. The show, as well as Lampedusa’s book, despite holding a somewhat anti-Risorgimento sentiment due to both its protagonists as well as Di Lampedusa’s family history, still manages to correctly showcase the effects that the inadvertent change can bring to one and those around us. Reminding us of what the cost of progress can bring to all while analyzing the intricacies that Freedom of thought can offer.
Each shot exhibits an intricate artisticful craftsmanship, gorgeously showcasing the astonishing sceneries that Sicily has to offer. The unique choice in lighting allows for an immediate creation of intrigue and mystery while the scenes filled with sunlight manage the summer approaching warmth to trespass the screen impeccably, immersing the audiences—a factor that is very well fitting with the concurring shifting themes of the show.
Additionally, the show uses its labyrinthinely crafted visuals to showcase the contrasts amongst the economic classes. Each shown as if they were perfect opposites of the same silvery rusting coin, one side glimmering with promise, the other tarnished by time and neglect. It is in this delicate balance that beauty and decay coexist, revealing the fragile nature of power and the inevitable passage of time. Where opulence meets wear and ambition fights against the inevitable surrender to time’s touch.
Despite ‘The Leopard’ and its adaptations having always been considered a work of Historical Fiction, it is still set in a remarkably intense historical era. While the 1800s saw an exponential amount of revolutions and civil wars across the whole world, nothing compares to the changes Europe saw throughout the century, with many considering it a Second Age of Enlightenment.
Of course, Italy didn’t fall behind its continental brothers; in fact, the 19th century was the century in which Italy underwent the most significant transformation. ‘The Leopard’ does indeed explore some such as are the cases of the Italian Unification and the previously mentioned Garibaldi’s invasion of the Sicilian island, still there are some events that did not find themselves on the pages of Di Lampedusa’s narrative.
One of such things that the novel does not borrow itself a significant depiction are the various peasant revolts that occurred upon the arrival of Giuseppe Garibaldi’s forces in Sicily. These insurrections, which were mainly driven by the hopes for support against oppressive landlords, were quickly and eventually suppressed by Garibaldi’s troops. Despite their briefness, I believe that if chosen to be added to ‘The Leopard’, they could’ve assisted in highlighting a complex interplay between revolutionary forces and rural populations, allowing for a more powerful impact on how other various ways they affected the nobility.
While ‘The Leopard’ recognizes his direct role when it comes to the unification of Italy. One thing the novel and it’s adaptations do not delve deeply into the establishment of his brief yet transformative dictatorial rule that Giuseppe Garibaldi had upon arriving to the Sicilian island. During his 5 and a half months of power, Garibaldi abolished feudal privileges, attempted land reforms, and sought to impose a new order amid the chaos of revolution.
Even though it is understandable why Di Lampedusa and the show’s creator, Warlow, decided not to include such a small event in a story focusing more on the nobility, had the narrative explored this in greater depth, it could have added an extra layer of strain to the Salina family’s story. The striking contrast between the lofty ideals of Garibaldi’s revolution and the harsh realities encountered by the lower classes have well mirrored the struggles within the Salina family, torn between old values and the unstoppable march of history.
‘The Leopard’ stands as more than a mere Historical Fiction narrative. By intertwining Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s personal heritage with Sicily’s transformative struggles during the 1860s, and a sweetful flair of aweing cinematography, it encapsulates the delicate balance between the fading past and an inevitable future. Reminding us that history is never a singular story, but a mosaic of forgotten moments, lost voices, and fleeting glories. Teaching us that even the most profound revolutions can be both a promise and a tragedy, altering lives in ways we may never fully comprehend.
By Mario Martinez Ignacio
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
Mario Martinez Ignacio is a writer from Mexico City. As a child, he spent most of his free time deep-diving into online wikis, which sparked a passion for lore and worldbuilding. Driven by his love for writing, Mario obtained a BFA in Dramatic Writing at the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2024. With the objective of inspiring others, he fuses writing and education to create narratives that entertain while igniting curiosity and fostering new perspectives, one word at a time.
Mario Martinez Ignacio is a writer from Mexico City. As a child, he spent most of his free time deep-diving into online wikis, which sparked a passion for lore and worldbuilding. Driven by his love for writing, Mario obtained a BFA in Dramatic Writing at the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2024. With the objective of inspiring others, he fuses writing and education to create narratives that entertain while igniting curiosity and fostering new perspectives, one word at a time.
Mario Martinez Ignacio is a writer from Mexico City. As a child, he spent most of his free time deep-diving into online wikis, which sparked a passion for lore and worldbuilding. Driven by his love for writing, Mario obtained a BFA in Dramatic Writing at the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2024. With the objective of inspiring others, he fuses writing and education to create narratives that entertain while igniting curiosity and fostering new perspectives, one word at a time.
