Leonardo (2021– ) User Reviews

Don't expect accuracy and you'll really enjoy this

[kosejkbar · 8/10 · 24 March 2021]

I've watched the first episode and I must say that, even as a Leonardo da Vinci enthusiast who is very nitpicky about history, I likes it. Sure, don't expect a documentary. Don't expect a accurate account of maestro's life. But expect a truthful depiction of what Da Vinci represented in his period and in the art history.

There are many things that are very different from know history:

• Leonardo was much younger when the story with Verrocchio and the angel took place
• he was also very light-haired
• the whole murder thing is made up. Leonardo was detained, but for sodomy
• Caterina da Cremona is made up
• I could probably continue

But that's not important. No one who read the synopsis or watched the trailer and knew a bit about Da Vinci could possibly expect accuracy. This is fiction, made for entertainment. And it's a pretty well done. It's goal is not to tell what Vasari wrote about Leonardo. It's goal is to entertain us with story about a person who we all know and yet no one really does. And I think it does it very well.

Fascinating series

[mgumsley · 7/10 · 28 April 2021]

There bas been much debate about how this series has been fictionalized, with any drama you have to accept that this is a story, and it does not have to be100% accurate, in the way that a documentary is. I really do not understand people who will score a series only one, when if you split apart the components that go to make a series like this, you would score way above that. It pays not to have unrealistic expectations when you approach something historical. The other thing is of course that although Leonardo Da Vinci left some amazing artworks, we know surprisingly little about his life.

I really enjoyed this series. You don't have to be artistic to appreciate the loving detail that went into creating the stories around each of his artworks, and the immense talent he undoubtedly had. Aidan Turner embraced the challenge wholeheartedly, and whilst he probably won't get nominated for any major awards, he can be proud of his work, as can the supporting cast. They created an interesting story, with beautiful sets and an appreciation for the depth of his contribution to art, and I think that counts for a lot.

Don't Let the Truth get in the way of a good story

[tm-sheehan · 6/10 · 5 January 2022]

My Review- Leonardo. Streaming on Prime /Paramount

My Rating 6.5/10

Sometimes when waiting at the Supermarket checkout I casually scan amusingly at the improbable and scandalous headlines about The Royals or other assorted famous celebrities that must create sales in some of the more trashy magazines.

Well after doing a fact check on the substance of this lavishly produced series by Italian Lux Vide in collaboration with Rai Fiction, Sony Pictures Entertainment I'm inclined to feel that this series is certainly more fiction than fact.

The problem for me was not that it's poorly produced or not entertaining it's the total emphasis on a murder that never occurred of a woman Caterina da Cremona.

Not only was she not murdered many art historians claim that even if she had indeed existed, she was merely a passing figure in da Vinci's true story certainly not his muse as portrayed in this 8 part series.

The casting also didn't on the whole impress me Aidan Turner in the title role gives a good performance which is thoughtful and understated but for me like Keira Knightly in Colette who played the famous French author I find British or in this case Irish actors portraying famous European historical characters just aren't convincing and lack authenticity even if the actor is giving a good performance.

Freddie Highmore as Stefano Giraldi a totally fictional Renaissance Private Eye trying to solve Caterina's murder and vindicate Leonardo's alleged involvement I also found unconvincing .

Freddie youthful appearance just isn't suited to this role in my opinion he looks more like a teenager dressed up with a beard to look like a detective.

There's plenty of action and melodrama even a last minute reprieve from the gallows but considering it never occurred just seemed silly and too much poetic licence.

I do have some positive observations though the Italian settings and production quality make Leonardo worth watching .

Originally the intention was to shoot in Florence and Milan, but filming was relocated to Rome as a result of the Covid outbreak.

The background stories true or otherwise to the 8 famous works referred to including The Last Supper and of course Mona Lisa make entertaining viewing.

The series of course is not all fiction Leonard was arrested for Sodomy and we are right to assume that he was a homosexual as the only real intimate sexual experience depicted in the series is with his male lover Salai not a woman.

The rivalry between Leonardo and the much younger Michelangelo is apparently quite factual and I found most interesting.

The true story of Leonardo Da Vinci is jaw dropping enough and I felt that this playing fast and loose with fact can barely be justified when his remarkable biography should provide enough drama.

Wonderful drama

[brvbkwm · 31 March 2021]

I am only half-way through but enjoying this series tremendously. Firstly, the history. Having studied the life and works of Leonardo Da Vinci, I know more than many about his life. I discovered some time ago that there are not even two academic books which interpret the man or his work in matching ways. This is because Leonardo is an immensely difficult character to pin down due to scant primary sources. Therefore, I am impressed by how the creators have taken the few historical details available to us of Leonardo's life and personality and built a psychological profile of a living, breathing character in order to access the mind of the genius. It's very cleverly done and mostly seems to be inspired from his diaries and notebooks. Some viewers have forgotten this is a drama not a documentary therefore it must have a beginning, middle and end with twists and turns like all great dramas do. I believe the producers have captured a fascinating version of the spirit of Leonardo as well as portraying many little known facts and events of his life. Secondly, the drama itself: beautiful, passionate and human, just like the man. What a marvellous series to lose yourself in.

Not a scythe to be seen....

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 26 April 2021]

Now I did quite enjoy this rather loose interpretation of the life of Leonardo Da Vinci, but somehow the thing seemed very uncertain as to whom it's audience is/was. It certainly lacks the creative punch of the first season of Tom Riley's "Da Vinci's Demons" (2013) or the familial charm of "Bridgerton" man of the moment Jonathan Bailey's 2011 television series. This seems just too gentile a reflection on the lives and loves of this creative genius. It dwells not on his presumed hedonistic lifestyle; it focuses little on his engineering and artistic prowess and his interesting relationships with the Medici are ignored almost entirely. To be fair, much of the "history" surrounding this man is glorified fable, we actually know a lot less than we assume about his life, but somehow this iteration is little better than an outing for Turner (and his ever changing beard) with little emphasis on his genius - indeed, little enough emphasis on anything substantial, really. Eight parts tell us very little about what made this undoubtedly complex man tick and whilst I wasn't expecting a Showtime sex-fest; I was expecting something a little more interesting/educational/entertaining. Production standards are high but the writing and overall direction condemn it to mediocrity. Shame, it reminded me a little of "Reign" (2013) - the equally sterile depiction of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots.

a great series

[ddemark · 9/10 · 12 April 2021]

Now i can enjoy Leonardo's works of art better. The Cenacolo in Milan never really captured my interest. Now i'm itching to get back there to see it. To feel the betrayal of Christ inspired by Leonardo's sense of betrayal that plagued him through his life. Similarly other works. This series may be part fiction and part fact. However it's a great way of getting better context to the life of this genius.

Fun as a drama but don't take it to the bank,

[rse · 7/10 · 30 April 2021]

I really enjoyed this TV drama. But remember that is what it is.

I have read and researched the life of Leonardo da Vinci and had to put all that away to enjoy this production.

A couple of things that struck me were the fact that I had understood that Leonardo was blond and also I can't find any reference to Caterina de Cremona in any biography I have read. So his being accused of murdering her seems to just be a figment of a scriptwriter's imagination. It works as part of the series but seems off somehow.

As I said before, I can certainly recommend this as entertainment but please don't take it as historically correct.

Good Show, Except...

[stevendom-66509 · 8/10 · 11 May 2021]

Very interesting show. Well cast except for Freddie Highmore. He seems to be playing a renaissance Shawn Murphy (The Good Doctor) with a beard and a British accent. His character just doesn't fit in. Is it nepotism if you are the executive producer? Selfotism? Please Freddie, you are a great actor, just not in this role.

Visually Stunning Dramatisation

[annbaldwin-55777 · 7/10 · 27 April 2021]

Visually stunning to look at & Aidan Turner perfectly conveys the sometimes tortured soul of the genius that was Leonardo da Vinci. The chemistry between him & Matilda de Angelis, who plays Caterina, is wonderful. Unfortunately, Freddie Highmore as the detective Giraldi, is totally miscast. It's important to remember it's a drama about Leonardo's life, not a documentary, so don't expect 100% historical accuracy in this series, there are some glaring distortions of the truth. However it is an enjoyable series & certainly worth watching.

Amazing!

[candsoutherland · 10/10 · 2 April 2021]

This beautifully done series captivated me from the very beginning! It is not meant to be a documentary, but a drama to try and explain the complicated and genius man that Leonardo was. Aidan Turner is brilliant as Leonardo and Matilda de Angleis is fantastic. Their chemistry jumps off the screen. I give this production...10/10.

Hurriedly done. Not upto the mark.

[chandanshivaramu · 6/10 · 13 April 2021]

All you have is a great lead cast. Rest is patched up. None of the episode is gripping, poor character study, aidan is also not that great as he was in poldark.

A very mediocre show with shallow storytelling.

Accept the inaccuracies, enjoy the sets, the art and atmosphere.

[kay-45300 · 9/10 · 20 April 2021]

Just enjoy this as a drama. As a designer I loved all the 'behind the scenes' depiction of how he achieved his art, the ingenuity, the breadth of ideas. The sets, especially the interiors and locations were gorgeous. There is so much cheap trash on TV, just enjoy something a little different.

Must Watch

[maison-9-64351 · 7/10 · 26 April 2021]

Really enjoyed this series, the only let down was Freddie Highmore. He just doesn't fit in.

A strange way to treat one of history's greatest geniuses.

[joannamaryward-49852 · 5/10 · 6 August 2021]

Reviews on this have been love or hate. I'm hoping to go for something more balanced.

Let me get a few things straight.

I don't dislike this series because it's "woke." There's evidence to suggest Leonardo was gay, and portraying him as such is entirely justified.

I don't dislike this because it's a fusion of bio pic and murder mystery. That was a bold idea that might have worked.

I don't dislike this because it takes dramatic license with historical truth. We know that anything historical is a version of the truth and that this is not a documentary. We get that.

No, the reason I dislike this is that its bold ambition doesn't work. The script is poor. Exposition is simplistic and anachronistic - at one point, Leonardo compares his mental state to a black hole! But worse than that there's no subtext. Things are made explicit in the script in a way that reflects soap operas, not real life. "You were a mistake," his father tells Leonardo. One wonders whether da Vinci Senior was actually that crass, or whether the script writer just wasn't up to the task.

Aidan Turner looks wonderful, from the young apprentice to the old bearded maestro, but aside from a few touching moments, this is not his best performance. Acting props go to James D'Arcy's Ludovico Sforza, played with a masterly blend of camp and menace, and to Carlos Cuevas, who is perfectly cast as Salai. Freddie Highmore, on the other hand, is badly out of his depth.

It looks beautiful, with many frames set up almost as masterpieces in their own right. I'd be happy just to watch as his works of art took shape, but you can't get an 8-part series out of that. My heart sinks to hear of a second series. What are they going to do - accuse him of murdering someone else? It's a strange way to treat one of history's greatest geniuses.

a beautiful sketch

[Kirpianuscus · 30 May 2021]

Maybe, it is not the biographic series who you expect. But it is beautiful and well acted and comfortable and far by huge innovations. Not the accuracy of events, not pledge for a theory or other, not the eulogy of the great genius are purpoises of it. But a honest story around a presumed murder, having as basic virtue the beautiful cinematography and the inspired work of Aidan Turner. Sure, many sins, from too sentimental scenes to not the best dialogues in some episodes or the torture for brave Freddie Highmore in the most bizarre role of his career. But it is beautiful, for so many motives, it is just beautiful. Not impressive, not great, not memorable. Only the honest sketch who reminds, give some smiles, propose not the most convincing but not so bad explanations, reminds the war between artist and world, reminds the miracle of beauty around us and becomes, episode by episode, a sort of oasis, with flavour of old fashion series. So, real beautiful sketch.

Why Pretend it Concerns da Vinci? Perhaps His Name was Needed to Add Gravitas

[Xine9g9 · 6/10 · 8 January 2022]

Rating 6.5/7 There's nothing wrong with fictionalizing the life of famous people long ago or with creative anachronisms. When done well, that's absolutely great. So, I have no great sympathy for those who condemn this solely on the basis of fictional licence.

But, for the life of me, I cannot see why this show is even linked to the life of Leonardo. It's not as if it gives any insight into the nature of art, artistic compulsion, sponsorship or even the making of Leonardo's works. Strip away the famous name (and other names of the time) and what you have is a so-so costume mystery about a murder.

The mystery itself--who killed Caterina--scarcely works, in significant part because Freddie Highmore is poorly cast as the inquistor, Stefano Giraldi--a matter of age, script and, perhaps, performance.

Aidan Turner, fine looking and competent actor though he is, also seems miscast, particularly for the young Leonardo in the earlier episodes. He looks too old and he doesn't convey the passion, innocence and hopefulness of a young man embarking on his career. Nor is there any nuance to his responses to the various opportunities and disappointments to come to him. His scenes with Caterina are often awkward or overblown.

To be fair to the cast, they're not given a lot to work with.

So, if you want to see lots of good looking people in luscious costumes and settings, this may be for you. But, that's about all you'll take away from it.

It's a drama, not a documentary

[Jamestcapone · 9/10 · 21 April 2021]

As a Leonardo enthusiast, I already know most of this is fiction, people need to realise that it's a drama series and not an actual documentary, and what a good drama series it is, i also find it funny how the people giving this a low rating based on it not being historically accurate, are also the same people complaining about the fact Leonardo is gay, if they knew what they were talking about then they would know that he was almost probably homosexual in real life, the acting is great and I'm looking forward to finishing the rest.

Enjoyable but fictional

[cheekstermommy · 7/10 · 1 July 2022]

Last rights by a Catholic priest in the 1400/1500s was read as a protestant Lord's Prayer.

Other than that, the drama was enjoyable. I would watch a second series.

Freddie Highmore is an incredibly baaaaad actor!

[janpatsco · 9/10 · 6 September 2021]

How he is still getting gigs is beyond me. (He isn't exactly casting couch material.....) Aidan Turner can do no wrong in my book. He is absolutely wonderful in everything he does.

Thrilling and suspence, but far from history

[nicobonetti · 6/10 · 14 April 2021]

"Leonardo" could be a great fiction. Plot is well structured, international cast is great, episodes are pretty good, there are thrilling and suspence sequences, BUT the historical contest doesn't represent reality and is often far from what really happened. So if you are looking for a biographical, don't spend your time in this reconstruction. Otherwise, you can see a good tv series and be part of Leonardo's masterpieces and the projects who took the Maestro to be one of the greatest artist ever.

Best actor: Freddie Higmore.

Best actress: Matilda De Angelis.

A superb drama and enthralling throughout@

[josephmlennon · 9/10 · 17 April 2021]

I have seen reviews on here giving this drama low marks, mainly due to inaccuracies with Da Vinci's true life.

This is not a reason to debunk it! If you want historical accuracy watch documentaries on Leonardo's life.

I ignored history when I was a boy because I was bored by history programmes on video.

This programme will make viewers interested in Leonardo's work and life.

It is a fictional mystery drama set around the life of a true historical genius.

Enjoy it for what it is.

Superb acting and direction creates an amazing murder mystery series.

I loved it!!!

One really bad miscast ruins it....

[petemcphee2 · 7/10 · 26 April 2021]

Freddie someone or other is cast as Leonardo inquisitor and its awful.

Too young, too soft and shiny eyes....

Leonardo Great Show

[anjeleyze-31118 · 8/10 · 21 April 2021]

I love Leonardo. Aidan is at his best. Great show and love the costumes.

It could be way better..but

[shahinazelshamy-49059 · 6/10 · 7 July 2023]

Let's start with the main actor, honestly he was awful, I don't know his approach to act like this with weak and hesitant character!

The script is very slow yet not very detailed, so you'll be bored without getting any information.

The first 4 episodes was the worst regarding the rhythm.

It's not informative or historical, and it's sooooo much dramatic than it should. I would say melodramatic tbh.

I enjoyed the painting and the story behind them but even that they didn't talk about them all, so what the points!

I see a wasted opportunity here for an epic series about a legend, but drama ruined it.

Pure fiction with an historic name

[gabriela-zayas · 4/10 · 16 June 2021]

I will never understand why do they take a huge historic figure to make a totally ficticious story.

Leonardo near 40 as a student in Verrochio's shop?

Not an homo?

Please, Invent a story and asume it's invented, give your characters invented names, do not feed people's ignorance with this kind of falsehoods to be taken seriously by most of the public.