The Leopard | The Book vs the Film vs the TV show

“Il Gattopardo”, the novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, is today considered the best-selling book in the history of Italian literature, translated into more than 40 languages and sold in millions of copies worldwide. However, its path to readers was far from easy. The manuscript was initially rejected by several prestigious Italian publishers, including Mondadori and Einaudi, on the grounds that it was too conventional, nostalgic, and politically inappropriate in the context of the Italian intellectual climate at the time. Only after the author’s death in 1957, thanks to the intervention of literary critic Giorgio Bassani, was the novel accepted and published in 1958 by the publishing house Feltrinelli. Upon release, it became an immediate success with readers and soon after with critics, winning the Strega Prize in 1959. Today, it is considered one of the most important and influential novels of the 20th century, frequently studied in academic fields such as history, literature, and political theory. A few years later, in 1963, a film adaptation of the same name was directed by Luchino Visconti. The leading roles were played by Burt Lancaster as Prince Salina, Alain Delon as Tancredi, and Claudia Cardinale as Angelica.

When I first started watching the series, I honestly thought “Il Gattopardo” referred to a cheetah — it sounded exotic, fast, predatory. But then I realized it was actually about a leopard, since the Italian word “gattopardo” refers to a mythical feline creature resembling a leopard, a symbol of fading aristocratic elegance and power. And for the record, cheetah in Italian is ghepardo.

“If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.”

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Fallout (2024)

The TV show “Fallout” successfully bridges the gap between video game adaptation and original storytelling, captivating audiences with its immersive connection to the beloved game series. Drawing inspiration from the post-apocalyptic world of the Fallout games, the TV show captures the essence of the franchise, particularly resonating with fans of the video games.

Among the Fallout games, the TV show’s narrative and atmosphere bear a striking resemblance to Fallout 4, evoking a similar sense of survival, exploration, and moral ambiguity. The show’s depiction of a post-nuclear wasteland and the struggle for survival mirrors the themes present in Fallout 4, creating a familiar yet fresh experience for viewers.

The choice of Vaults 4, 31, 32, and 33 in the TV show adds depth to the storyline, each vault symbolizing a different aspect of the post-apocalyptic world. Vaults serve as integral settings that contribute to the overall world-building and narrative complexity, offering unique challenges and mysteries for the characters to navigate.

The trio of main characters in “Fallout” embodies the classic archetype of good, bad, and the ugly, adding layers of complexity to the storytelling. Lucy MacLean represents optimism and resilience in the face of adversity, Maximus brings a sense of duty and honor as a soldier in the Brotherhood of Steel, while Cooper Howard embodies the darker, morally ambiguous side of survival in the wasteland.

One of the standout performances in the series comes from Walton Goggins, who portrays the dual roles of the charming pre-war entertainer Cooper Howard and the terrifying, mutated Ghoul. Goggins’ ability to seamlessly transition between these vastly different characters is a testament to his acting prowess and further enhances the show’s sense of duality and moral ambiguity.

In summary, “Fallout” weaves together elements of survival, mystery, and redemption against a backdrop of nuclear devastation. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the games or a newcomer to the franchise, this TV show promises an unforgettable journey through the wasteland.