Jean-Paul Belmondo: 10 Best Films, Ranked
Legendary French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo will always be remembered for his iconic roles in Breathless, Borsalino, and The Professional.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that the legendary French actor, Jean-Paul Belmondo, had sadly passed away at the age of 88. He was an icon in the industry who rose to fame during the New Wave in French cinema in the 1960s.
He was best known for his roles in action thrillers but has starred in several other films outside of the genre. From a formidable policeman in Fear Over the City to a disillusioned family man in Pierrot Le Fou, Belmodo masterfully played a range of roles. He left fans with entertaining and occasionally moving films that will always serve as a testament to his talents and far-reaching influence as an actor.
10 Fear Over The City (Peur Sur La Ville)
Helmed by Henri Verneuil, Belmondo played the role of a policeman under pressure in the 1975 film, Fear Over the City. With a gangster and a serial killer roaming the streets under his watch, the protagonist Jean Letellier faces scrutiny from both the police department and the public.
Compared to some of the best foreign-language crime films ever made, Peur sur la ville may seem a bit cheesy and predictable for viewers today, but it did serve to solidify Belmondo’s talent as an action star. He was known for performing most of his own stunts in the film (according to The New York Times), which can also be seen in this movie too. These action sequences would become more common, even expected, in some of his future films.
9 A Man And His Dog (Un Homme Et Son Chien)
A Man and His Dog was the last movie Jean-Paul starred in before his death. Directed by Francis Huster, the 2008 film follows the story of Charles, a retiree who gets kicked out by the widow he was having a relationship with since she wanted to get remarried. This then leads to the protagonist having to rely on his dog as he navigates the unforgiving city.
Aside from being his last film, it was also Belmondo’s reintroduction after he had a stroke and was recovering. The movie showed a raw depiction of the struggles some people may face with being old and without a home, which was a stark contrast to Jean-Paul’s action-packed roles from his younger days. Sadly, it garnered criticism from viewers, who did not appreciate seeing the action star’s more somber performance in the film.
8 Borsalino
It makes sense that Borsalino, one of the best gangster movies in French cinema, is based on the story of two real-life gangsters. Helmed by Jacques Deray, the 1970 film revolves around the actions of Roch Siffredi and François Capella, as they attempt to take over the underworld of Marseille.
Belmondo gave an impressive performance as Capella, playing the role of a charming yet dangerous gangster. From thrilling shootouts to fancy parties, the film’s perfect pacing and shocking twists keep it entertaining from start to finish.
7 The Finger Man (Le Doulos)
Playing the role of police informant Silien, Belmondo kept audiences on the edge of their seats in the French noir-inspired crime film, Le Doulos. The movie premiered as The Finger Man for international viewers in 1962 and centered around Silien’s deception of his ex-convict friend, Maurice Faugel.
It’s a film full of gangsters, lies, and trenchcoats, and is emblematic of the crime films at that time. Belmondo’s character had to make some hard choices about friendship and loyalty throughout the course of the film, leaving audiences stunned by some of his more controversial decisions as an informant.
6 Itinerary Of A Spoiled Child (Itinéraire D'un Enfant Gâté)
Itinerary of a Spoiled Child is a 1988 film directed by Claude Lelouch. Belmondo performs as the protagonist, Sam Lion, who is growing tired of his routines as a businessman. Together with his son and a former colleague, he makes an effort to rediscover the things that truly matter to him.
While the movie casts Belmondo as a gangster-like businessman, it deals with deeper themes about family and friendship. Jean-Paul’s performance is a moving depiction of what many may consider a midlife crisis. It sends an important message about learning to prioritize the people that make life worth living.
5 The Man From Acapulco (Le Magnifique)
Helmed by Philippe de Broca, Le Magnifique is one of the best parody movies of all time. The 1973 slapstick film features Belmondo as François Merlin, who imagines himself as a superspy called “Bob Sinclar.” The protagonist goes on several eccentric misadventures where he defeats comical villains in unrealistic ways, pushing the limits of his imagination as he expands his make-believe world.
The film is one of the more memorable spoofs of overused tropes in spy and action movies. Belmondo’s hilarious portrayal of the charming superspy makes fun of the ridiculous premises and gaping plot holes in popular films. It’s an unforgettable performance that reminds viewers of Belmondo’s multifaceted skills as an actor.
4 That Man From Rio (L'Homme de Rio)
The more popular spoof of James Bond-type films is the 1964 action-adventure movie, That Man from Rio. Director Philippe de Broca highlighted Belmondo’s skills by letting him do his own stunts in various beautiful locations in Rio de Janeiro.
The film’s plot revolves around missing statues, several kidnappings, and plane hijacks. It’s a fast-paced, often hilarious movie that allows Belmondo to poke fun at serious crime films from that period. His charismatic depiction of Pvt. Adrien Dufourquet who smirks at dangerous situations is not one that fans will soon forget.
3 The Professional (Le Professionnel)
Based on the award-winning 1976 novel, Death of a Thin-Skinned Animal by Patrick Alexander, The Professional follows the story of the secret agent, Joss Beaumont. Director Georges Lautner puts the protagonist at the center of a treacherous mission, which is made complicated by international politics.
Playing Beaumont forced Belmondo into a more serious role that thrust him into both tense moments and action-packed gunfights. It’s an exhilarating film with an unpredictable plot, keeping audiences wondering what the secret agent’s next move will be.
2 Pierrot Le Fou (Lit. Pierrot The Madman)
Often considered the best French movie of its decade, the 1965 film Pierrot le Fou was representative of the peak of the New Wave art film movement. Helmed by the iconic Jean-Luc Godard, the movie depicts a family man, Ferdinand, who decides to run away from all his responsibilities with his ex-girlfriend, Marianne. However, problems soon arise when Ferdinand discovers Marianne is keeping a secret.
It somehow weaves together romantic clichés, murder, philosophy, and gangsters in a coherent and satisfying way. Belmondo’s performance as Ferdinand is unforgettable and showed just how much the actor had honed his craft at that point.
1 Breathless (À Bout De Souffle)
Director Jean-Luc Godard’s most influential film gave fans Belmondo’s most iconic role as Michel in Breathless. The 1960 crime movie would go on to define some of the key characteristics of the French New Wave, thanks to its bold art style and unapologetic editing choices.
The story of petty crime and grand romance propelled Belmondo to fame, as it was his first leading role in an internationally acclaimed film. À bout de soufflé raised important questions by dealing with hard-hitting existentialist themes. It’s a movie that will always be considered one of the ideal examples of the best of French filmmaking, in large part thanks to Belmondo’s flawless performance.
NEXT: A Bout De Souffle & 9 Other Great French New Wave Movies
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