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I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

Oh, this movie wanted to be the "Godfather" in the worst way, boy did it ever. Unfortunately it was about as far from that masterpiece as it could possibly be. After watching "Heaven's Gate" a few years ago, I wanted to see if Cimino could make something as bad. My curiosity was correct- this is plain awful.Lambert at one point in the film says in his horrific wooden accent, "Everyone muss know, I am ah serious man". That had me on the floor laughing. I understand the film was edited and cut by the studio, but what I saw today barely makes any sense. The scenes seemed hastily put together with no coherence whatsoever. The camera angles and lighting were awkward and unsettling. And what is with the "rape" scene in the middle of the film? And where did the American governess disappear to for the rest of the movie? Half the time we don't know who is on who's side, and who is about to betray each other, and...oh why bother! Another scene that had me in stitches was mentioned by another reviewer: the awkward Don dancing scene. It really looked like one of those ballroom scenes from the Muppet Show.What a mess.

Based on the novel by Mario Puzo, which was in turn loosely inspired by the life of bandit, black marketeer, and separatist Salvatore Giuliano, "The Sicilian" is a confusing, self-important mess of a movie. As was the case with Rob Roy, Jesse James, and Bonnie and Clyde, popular culture once again whitewashes the acts of a real-life criminal and reinvents them as a folk hero. Set in Sicily during the 1940s, the film begins with Giuliano (Christopher Lambert) and his friend Pisciotta (John Turturro) stealing grain to feed hungry villagers. Caught in the act, Giuliano escapes after shooting a police officer, but he is seriously wounded himself (despite his life-threatening injury, Giuliano still manages to outrace the authorities and leap onto the back of a horse!). Giuliano seeks shelter in a monastery and is treated by a barber who says he will certainly die. However, Giuliano declares that he will live and makes a miraculous recovery. Giuliano's (near) death and resurrection is obviously intended as an allusion to Christ. I'm not a religious person, but I still think there's something blasphemous about comparing a thief and murderer to the Messiah.Once fully healed, Giuliano launches a crusade to provide the poor people of Sicily with land and counter the authority of the Mafia, the Catholic Church, and the wealthy landowners. To accomplish this he becomes a bandit and flees to the mountains, eventually assembling a large following. However, Giuliano goes too far, makes powerful enemies, and (in another parallel with Christ) is betrayed by a Judas in his ranks.If executed properly, "The Sicilian" could have been a powerful, complex tale of a man who does terrible things for noble reasons and ends up undermining everything he fought for. Unfortunately, the motion picture is plagued by poor choices. Various accents are spoken by the international cast, very few of which sound remotely Sicilian. Christopher Lambert in particular is miscast. Supporting characters come and go without contributing much to the story. Numerous factions become involved in the plot - the government, the Mafia, the church, the nobility, and the socialists - but it's not always clear whom is allied with whom or why. Many scenes were cut from the finished film by the studio and the audience can tell."The Sicilian" was directed by Michael Cimino, who has a very mixed track record. After directing one of the greatest movies of all time, "The Deer Hunter", Cimino was responsible for the notorious commercial and critical disaster "Heaven's Gate" (which, in retrospect, is actually not that bad). Cimino recovered somewhat with the crime thriller "Year of the Dragon", but "The Sicilian" was another step backwards for his career. Cimino at least insures that the film is well shot, but his deadly serious intentions are frequently undermined by weak performances, clunky dialogue, and schmaltzy music.** out of ****

It does not look like an american but it is. The story is pretty heavy and intresting and REAL. I watched it for several times and i liked it every time. There were lots of very nice scenes and the end was pretty sad. I cant forget the scene where Pisciotta shots Giuliano. Its a very intresting movie. Giuliano asks the little boy "what do you want?" he says "LAND"

Wooden from the getgo. Predictable behaviour in a stew of accents. The only particular joy was in a very louche performance from Terence Stamp (have a look at his curious riding style!). I thought Michael Cimino would be capable of much more than this.