Alain Delon , the fabled French doer , was a central figure in the French gold eld of cinema during the 1960s and 70s . have it off for his suave , elusive - guy persona and impress serious looks , Leon appeared in more than 100 movies in his five - 10 career . What made Delon so memorable was the irregular nature of his performances . From the ruthless assassin he play inLe Samouraï , to the charismatic felonious inBorsalino , Delon specially shine when he evince his seductive side inL’EclisseandLa Piscine . Hiss filmography even includes iconic literary grapheme , such as Zorro and Tom Ripley .

Delon go by away on August 18th , 2024 , at the age of 88 . Since then , flick scholars , journalists , and lover have reflected on his remarkable body of work and the bequest his sinewy performances have left in cinema chronicle . He is doubtlessly one of the swell actors of his generationand the rare international star to attain global acclaim . While it is challenging to narrow down his extraordinary filmography , Delon ’s best film truly showcase his unequalled natural endowment and gravitas .

15Spirits Of The Dead (1968)

Role: William Wilson

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A unique going for Alain Delon , liveliness of the Dead ( Histoires Extraordinaire)is a horror anthology comprise three segments directed by filmmaking caption Federico Fellini , Louis Malle , and Roger Vadim . Each of the films are based on stories by Edgar Allen Poe and features an incredible cast , including Jane Fonda , Terrence Stamp , Peter Fonda , and Bridgette Bardot .

While Fellini ’s film , Toby Dammit , an unsettling satire of revulsion films , is the standout of the three , Louis Malle ’s entryWilliam Wilson , star Delon , is also immensely rewarding . Delon deliver a chilling performance as a murderous psychopathwho has a foreboding confrontation with his doppelgänger . His scene with Bardot , roleplay a courtesan , are the film ’s highlight and Malle in effect capture the eerie atmosphere and macabre tonus of Poe ’s good work .

14Is Paris Burning? (1966)

Role: Jacqus Chaban-Delmas

This loom WWII film open during the sacking of Paris by the French Resistance . Delon plays real - life figure Jaques Chaban - Delmas , a underground leader who is face with a harrowing pick when he learns that Hitler has appointed a general to put down Paris if the Allies seek to reclaim it .

Seeing the depiction of the German leadership deal with the madness of Hitler ’s plan is peculiarly memorable .

The filmprovides a uncommon glimpse into lesser - seen look of WWII . Tension builds as Delon ’s Gaullist reference espouse a cautious " look - and - see " strategy , while communist leader Colonel Rol - Tanguy , impersonate by the glorious Bruno Kremer , advocates for immediate action at law by forcing an insurrection of the Paris civilians . Seeing the depiction of the German leaders grappling with the madness of Hitler ’s plan is especially memorable . The film also has a screenplay co - written by Francis Ford Coppola in one of his first credits .

Split image of Anthony Perkins in psycho, Clint Eastwood in The Good the Bad and the Ugly, Toshiro Mifune in Yojimbo, Audrey Hepburn in Brekfast at Tiffany’s and Franco Nero in Django

13The Black Tulip (1964)

Role: Julien de Saint Preux / Guillaume de Saint Preux

A modification of rate for Alain Delon , The Black Tulip(La Tuilpe Noire ) based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas , is a lighthearted swashbuckling escapade , whereaudiences get two Alain Delons for the price of one . Delon made the film to showcase his versatility after hone his suave , intense persona in other roles . He was also inspired by the success his ally Jean - Paul Belmondo find with the swashbucklerCartouchea few long time prior .

The ' 60s was a pioneering decade for cinema and the influence of the most democratic movies of the sixties can still be felt in what ’s released today .

In the moving-picture show , Delon plays a noble who leads a double life as a block out bandit known as the Black Tulip , who goes around robbing local patrician . When his bandit is scarred during a looting , he draft his twin sidekick to take the persona over and wear the mask , to hold in his individuality . While more frivolous than most of Delon ’s renowned roles , it is still immensely entertaining and offers a novel chance to see Delon explore other type of characters .

Sidious, Tyranus, Maul, and Vader.

12The Sicilian Clan (1969)

Role: Roger Sartet

The Sicilian Clan , take by Henri Verneuil , follows an challenging gangster who orchestrates a complex diamond heist while lure the girl - in - practice of law of a sinewy crime syndicate patriarch . Meanwhile , a relentless police commissioner seeks to thwart their plan in this gripping criminal offence drama fix in 1969 .

In this thrilling motion-picture show that blend the gangster genre with a heist film , Alain Delon joins military unit with two other heavyweight of French cinema , Lino Ventura and Jean Gabin . Delon plays a insensate - full-blooded criminal who escapes from prison house with the help of the Sicilian Mafia . He team up with the gang gaffer ( Gabin ) to execute an intricate heist to steal priceless jewels from an display in Rome .

While the heist elements feel a little familiar , the motion-picture show stands out forEnnio Morriconne ’s iconic scoreand the suspenseful culmination in which the mobster hijack a woodworking plane transporting the diamonds . While Delon is part of an ensemble in the film , he still does a masterful job of create a unique fictional character , and the fun of the moving picture is find out him navigate the unreliable criminal organization he is entangled with .

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

11Two Men In Town (1973)

Role: Gino Strabliggi

Two Men in Town , directed by José Giovanni , follows a former bank building robber who , after serve a decade in prison , seeks buyback with the help of a societal worker . However , he look persistent torment from a copper with whom he shares a fraught past tense .

Two Men in Town(Deux hommes dans la Ville)might be Alain Delon ’s dim moving-picture show . It ’s another simmer crime taradiddle , in which Delon wreak a military man trying to stay on the square and minute after being released ahead of time from prison . The legal age of the photographic film focuses on his reference , Gino Strabliggi ’s reintegration into guild with the help of a compassionate social actor , played by Jean Gabin . However , thing soon go awry as Gino is molest by a law officer from his yesteryear and is lured back into his former life of crime .

The moving-picture show is very understated , with a relatively simple plot , but its effectiveness lie in the connector between Delon and Gabin ’s characters . Their relationship is full of real bosom and pathos , throw the ending even more tragical . It ’s a haunt motion picture that will stick with youafter watching it .

Alain Delon

10Zorro (1975)

Role: Don Diego/Zorro

Zorro is a 1975 adventure film directed by Duccio Tessari . It travel along a newly installed regulator who adopts a masked alter ego , Zorro , to combat the oppressive rule of the corrupt Colonel Huerta . Teaming with allies , he seek to restore justice to the troubled province .

A straightforward version of Johnston McCulley ’s Hellenic novel , Duccio Tessari’sZorroblends the conductor ’s Spaghetti westerly style with a traditional swashbuckling tone . Alain Delon maven as the title character , and it might be the most fun he has ever had on concealment . He stars as the governor of a town under soldierlike law who is force to go up against the villainous Col . Huerta . Eventually , Deleon dons the iconic mask and embarks on his commission to free the townsfolk .

learn Delon don the mask for the first time is hugely solid , and Tessari plastic film the action at law scenes with a great visual flare . However , the real heart of the movie lies in the romance between Zorro and Hortensia ( play by Ottavia Piccolo ) , who is also dictated to stop Huerta from destroy her darling town . Delon is perfectly cast as the fabled sub . His charm and sexual practice appealingness elevate the film , which , while walk the bloodline between escapade and coterie , never fully crosses into camp thanks to Tessari ’s careful direction .

Spirits of the Dead - Poster

9The Eclipse (1962)

Role: Piero

L’Eclisse is a 1962 romanticistic drama directed by Michelangelo Antonioni . The film follows Vittoria , a literary translating program in Rome , as she pilot a new relationship with Piero , a stockbroker . Their romance face challenge against the backdrop of the Roman stock interchange and an impending occultation .

Directed by superior movie maker Michaelangelo Antonioni , The Eclipse(L’Eclisse)is a minimalist yet seductive character drama about a newly single translator who start a relationship with a cocky stockbroker , played by Alain Delon . What starts off as a stock Latinian language quick turns more and more interesting as the duet ’s kinship is severely examine throughout the film . While the plot is relatively square , what makes the film exceptional is its dreamlike quality , which often feels poetical . The celluloid lures the viewer in and put a spell with its hypnotic filmmaking .

The Eclipseis part of a trilogy of films made by Antonioni , which also includesLa’AvventuraandLa Notte . It flirt at the 1962 Cannes Film Festival , where it was nominated for the Palme d’Or . The film is widely regarded as Antonioni ’s most important film , with admirers such as Martin Scorcese . In his documentaryMy Voyage to Italy , Scorcese shared howThe Eclipse"haunted and inspired him as a new moviegoer . "

Cast Placeholder Image

8Rocco And His Brothers (1961)

Role: Rocco Parondi

Rocco and His Brothers is a 1960 Italian drama directed by Luchino Visconti . The film follows an needy widow woman and her five boy as they move to the metropolis , where inherited bonds are tested when two brothers become wild-eyed rivals , leading to tragical consequences .

Rocco and his Brothers ( Rocco e i suoi fratelli ) is an epic mob crime dramatic event that helped put Alain Delon on the map . Despite its near three - hour runtime , the plastic film rest entrance , thanks to its ambitious storytelling and outstanding performance . Its geographic expedition of paper like strain for a better liveliness , family loyalty , and vehemence being passed down across generations palpate timeless and fantastically relevant .

Delon stars as Rocco the oldest of five brothers who move with their female parent to Italy ’s northern region after their father ’s expiry . While the siblings turn firmly to obtain chance , they step by step descend into criminal offense . A fierce rivalry break between Rocco and his hothead brother Simone when they both fall for the exquisite Nadia .

Headshot Of Terence Stamp In The Los Angeles premiere of Valkyrie

The film can be tough to watch due to its bleakness , but it remains vastly compelling throughout . Initially meet with mixed reviews in Italy , Rocco and his Brothersis now consider one of the greatest Italian films ever made . It was even a Brobdingnagian inhalation for Francis Ford Coppola while makingThe Godfather .

7Dirty Money (1972)

Role: Edouard Coleman

Dirty Money ( Un Flic)is the terminal motion picture by French master and frequent Alain Delon collaborator , Jean - Pierre Melville . While it may be study a minor study compare to their other picture , it stay a worthwhile and tense law-breaking thriller , serving as an challenging footnote in both creative person ' careers .

The most interesting aspect ofthe film is that it is a gross inversion of their earlier workplace . While Delon often played roguish criminals in Melville ’s films , this clock time he takes on the office of a police force chief . His character befriend a local nightclub owner , only to uncover that the man is a bank robber plan one net heist . keep an eye on Delon pursue the unpitying outlaw is entertaining to watch , particularly as he embodies the dispirit lawman he was so often match against in old roles . Catherine Deneuve is also memorable play the quintessential femme fatale role , see as beautiful as ever .

6The Swimming Pool (1969)

Role: Jean-Paul Leroy

The Swimming Pool , released in 1969 , unfolds in a villa near St. Tropez , where lovers Jean - Paul and Marianne savour a tranquil summer until Marianne ’s former lover and his teenage girl arrive . Their bearing ignites uneasiness and tension , run to a complex and perilous worked up entanglement among the four .

InThe Swimming Pool ( La Piscine ) , Alain Delon and Romy Schneider play lovers on vacation at a luxurious French villa in this slow - burn , seductive thriller . What begins as a romantic character drama takes a disconsolate turn when the couple is visited by an one-time friend and his teenaged daughter . The film is satisfy with spicy twists and turns , andits charm lie in find out its beautiful cast carry badly for two hours in a stunningly picturesque setting .

The character work is superb , delving into raw human insecurity with surprising profundity . Delon and Schneider , who had date before making this film , diversify alchemy that is off the chart . Their scenes together sizzle , and it ’s fun to see a fresh side to Delon . His fictitious character retains his rugged appeal , but is looser and more self - assured than usual , which makes the motion picture sense more irregular , especially in the second one-half when everything begin to unravel for the key couple .

Spirits of the dead poster Alon Delain

Is Paris Burning? - Poster

Alain Delon in Is Paris Burning?

The Black Tulip - Poster

The Black Tulip

The Sicilian Clan (1969) - Poster

The Sicilian Clan, directed by Henri Verneuil, follows an ambitious mobster who orchestrates a complex diamond heist while enticing the daughter-in-law of a powerful mob patriarch. Meanwhile, a relentless police commissioner seeks to thwart their plans in this gripping crime drama set in 1969.

Two Men in Town (1973) - Poster

Two Men in Town, directed by José Giovanni, follows a former bank robber who, after serving a decade in prison, seeks redemption with the aid of a social worker. However, he faces persistent harassment from a cop with whom he shares a fraught past.

Zorro (1975) - Poster

Zorro is a 1975 adventure film directed by Duccio Tessari. It follows a newly installed governor who adopts a masked alter ego, Zorro, to combat the oppressive rule of the corrupt Colonel Huerta. Teaming with allies, he seeks to restore justice to the troubled province.

L’Eclisse - Poster

L’Eclisse is a 1962 romantic drama directed by Michelangelo Antonioni. The film follows Vittoria, a literary translator in Rome, as she navigates a new relationship with Piero, a stockbroker. Their romance faces challenges against the backdrop of the Roman stock exchange and an impending eclipse.

Rocco and His Brothers (1960) - Poster

Rocco and His Brothers is a 1960 Italian drama directed by Luchino Visconti. The film follows an impoverished widow and her five sons as they move to the city, where familial bonds are tested when two brothers become romantic rivals, leading to tragic consequences.

Alain Delon in Dirty Money

01422315_poster_w780.jpg

The Swimming Pool, released in 1969, unfolds in a villa near St. Tropez, where lovers Jean-Paul and Marianne enjoy a tranquil summer until Marianne’s former lover and his teenage daughter arrive. Their presence ignites unease and tension, leading to a complex and perilous emotional entanglement among the four.

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