The Sicilian

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The Sicilian ★½ 1987

Adapted from the Mario Puzo novel and based on the life of Salvatore Giuliano. Chronicles the exploits of the men who took on the government, the Catholic Church, and the Mafia in an effort to make Sicily secede from Italy and become its own nation in the 1940s. Pretentious, overdone, and confused. This long, uncut version was unseen in America, but hailed by European critics; the 115minute, Rrated American release is also available, but isn't as good. See “Salvatore Giuliano” (Francesco Rosi, 1962) instead of either version. 146m/C VHS, DVD . Christopher Lambert, John Turturro, Terence Stamp, Joss Ackland, Barbara Sukowa; D: Michael Cimino; W: Steve Shagan; C: Alex Thomson; M: David Mansfield.