Back in about 1960 I read "The Leopard" by Giuseppi di Lampedusa, a true classic.
I didn't see the movie of "The Leopard" with Burt Lancaster (1963), but recently I obtained the film(s) on DVD; newly redone transfers- a copy of the Visconti original with English subtitles, and a second disc with the American release, both complete. A third disc presents a documentary on the making of the film, and a summary of the profound sociological changes that took place during the period portrayed in the film.
The little Italian island of Lampedusa was a microcosm of the changes that took place in Europe in the late 19th c., with the eclipse of the patrician upper class and the development of the middle class, as seen by a man living through those times.

A fine historical film, and Burt Lancaster was a great and intelligent actor. A rich film, this is one I will periodically replay.