Mr. Movie: Alain Delon

Alain Delon parlayed his smoldering good looks and considerable acting ability into a very good career. Though most of his films were French in origin and language, he made a big dent in American cinema as well.

He first appeared on the American film-goer’s radar in Purple Noon (1960). Delon portrays Tom Ripley. He is hired by Phillipe Greenleaf’s father to go to Italy and persuade Phillipe to return home and run the family business. Phillipe isn’t interested. Tom hatches a plot to murder Phillipe and pretend to be him. This works for most of the film, with Delon acting up a storm as he switches personae constantly. Things come apart for Tom at the ending. No more from me. The film is based on Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley. It was made as a movie in America in 1999. I don’t think it is as good as the French film.

In that same year, Delon plays the title character in Rocco and His Brothers. Rocco is one of five brothers in a poor Italian family. They head for Milan to get work and change their circumstances. Each brother has an adventure of a different kind, while Rocco works to hold the family together. Finally, Rocco agrees to become a professional boxer to make the much-needed money for the family. This film got a shaky start but as time passed became a much loved Italian classic.

The Leopard (1963) is considered a great film. OK, a warning: It was released in America with 35 vital minutes cut and with dubbed dialog. Mr. Movie hates cutting and dubbing. So be sure you watch a version of at least 195 minutes and with subtitles. Burt Lancaster is the Prince of Salina who considers himself as a leopard, a dying breed of powerful aristocrats being replaced by  bureaucratic jackals and hyenas. Delon is his headstrong, ambitious and very opportunistic nephew. Italian Claudia Cardianle is the love interest. With a good bit of authentic Italian history and a good story, this is a winner.         

A signature Delon role is as the deadpan contract killer Jef Costello in Les Samourai (1976). Managing to look devastatingly menacing and handsome, Delon carries this thing on his back. The machinations leading up to the grand finale are fun to watch.

Is Paris Burning? (1966) are the words Hitler famously asked his commanders toward the end of World War II. The film is a faithful recreation of the novel about the liberation of Paris and the saving of most of the city’s iconic buildings. Delon is quite good as a Free French Colonel. Not a great film, but good enough.

Delon’s appearance in The Swimming Pool (1969), as a somewhat laid back murderer and bon vivant, is strictly for Delon fans.
 

All of the films in this article are available somewhere. They are all for adults.