The Sicilian

  • 1987
  • R
  • 116m
movieMx RATING
5.2
145
VERDICT
AVERAGE
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The Sicilian Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: May 12, 2026

movieMx Editorial
📅 Updated: May 12, 2026 🎟️ Verified Screening

Movie Overview: The Sicilian

MovieThe Sicilian
Release Year1987
DirectorMichael Cimino
GenreDrama / Crime / Thriller
Runtime116 minutes (1h 56m)
LanguageEN

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Sicilian (1987) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast & Character Study

The performances in The Sicilian are led by Christopher Lambert . The supporting cast, including Terence Stamp and Joss Ackland , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of The Sicilian (1987) is mixed. It has its moments but fails to leave a lasting impression. With a platform rating of 5.2/10, it currently stands as a AVERAGE in our database.

What Works in the Movie

While The Sicilian does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Drama films.

  • Interesting concept or premise
  • Some entertaining scenes
  • Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights

What Doesn't Work

Despite its strengths, The Sicilian has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.

  • Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
  • Some predictable plot developments
  • May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase

Story & Plot Summary: The Sicilian

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1987, The Sicilian is a Drama, Crime, Thriller film directed by Michael Cimino, written by Gore Vidal. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Christopher Lambert as Salvatore Giuliano.

Ending Explained: The Sicilian

The Sicilian Ending Explained: Egocentric bandit Salvatore Giuliano fights the Church, the Mafia, and the landed gentry while leading a populist movement for Sicilian independence. Directed by Michael Cimino, this 1987 drama film stars Christopher Lambert (Salvatore Giuliano), alongside Terence Stamp as Prince Borsa, Joss Ackland as Don Masino Croce, John Turturro as Pisciotta. Rated 5.2/10, the conclusion has sparked discussion among viewers.

What Happens at the End of The Sicilian?

Egocentric bandit Salvatore Giuliano fights the Church, the Mafia, and the landed gentry while leading a populist movement for Sicilian independence.

How Does Christopher Lambert (Salvatore Giuliano)'s Story End?

  • Christopher Lambert: Christopher Lambert's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
  • Terence Stamp (Prince Borsa): Terence Stamp's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
  • Joss Ackland (Don Masino Croce): Joss Ackland's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of The Sicilian Mean?

The ending of The Sicilian brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Christopher Lambert's story may not satisfy all audiences.

The Sicilian Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

Is The Sicilian Based on a True Story?

Yes, The Sicilian draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. Directed by Michael Cimino and starring Christopher Lambert, this drama, crime, thriller film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.

Real Story vs Movie Version of The Sicilian

The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.

While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.

Accuracy Assessment: The Sicilian uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.

Who Should Watch The Sicilian?

Age Advisory: Rated R — not suitable for younger viewers.

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Drama films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment

Box Office Collection: The Sicilian

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $9.0M
Worldwide Gross $5.4M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

The Sicilian Budget

The estimated production budget for The Sicilian is $9.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Where to Watch The Sicilian Online?

Streaming Hub

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The Sicilian Parents Guide & Age Rating

1987 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Sicilian age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Sicilian is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Sicilian (1987) is 116 minutes (1h 56m). Directed by Michael Cimino, the film runs for 116 minutes in its complete theatrical version.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.2/10, and global performance metrics, The Sicilian is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1987 cinematic calendar.

AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Sicilian. Rating: 5.2/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Sicilian worth watching?

The Sicilian is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.2/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Sicilian parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Sicilian identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the runtime of The Sicilian (1987)?

The runtime of The Sicilian (1987) is 116 minutes (approximately 1h 56m).

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 5.2
The Sicilian
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