When discussing the French New Wave (nouvelle vague), names like Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, and Jacques Rivette immediately come to mind—directors who revolutionized cinéma with their experimental techniques and rebellious spirit. But when we think of Alain Delon, the brooding, impossibly handsome french actor, our minds often wander elsewhere: to the cool elegance of his performances in Purple Noon (Plein Soleil), The Samurai (Le Samouraï), The Black Tulip (La tulipe noire) or The Swimming Pool (La Piscine). So where does Delon fit into the story of this French cinematic revolution? Let’s unravel his complex relationship—or lack thereof—with the new wave.

Dive into the world of Alain Delon with documentaries like "Alain Delon: Face au Monde" and "Alain Delon: La Beauté du Diable et les Femmes"., which explore his fascinating life and career.

Catch Delon's unforgettable performance in The Black Tulip (La Tulipe Noire) on TV5MONDEplus, or stream the lighthearted comedy Half a Chance (Une chance sur deux), where he stars alongside Jean-Paul Belmondo.

What Was the French New Wave?

The French New Wave, or nouvelle vague, emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s, a time when young filmmakers were pushing back against the constraints of traditional French cinema. Instead of polished studio productions, they opted for gritty, raw storytelling often shot on location, using lightweight cameras and natural light. They celebrated improvisation, fragmented narratives, and existential themes. Iconic works like Breathless (À bout de souffle) by Jean-Luc Godard and The 400 Blows (Les Quatre Cents Coups) by François Truffaut turned conventional filmmaking on its head.

These directors, many of whom started as film critics for the journal Cahiers du Cinéma, idolized American cinema but sought to deconstruct it, creating films that felt personal, urgent, and unpolished. Their approach brought the new wave international acclaim, with actors like Jean Seberg, Jean-Paul Belmondo, and Anna Karina becoming symbols of this movement.

Stream now That Man From Rio (L'homme de Rio) with Jean-Paul Belmondo on TV5MONDEplus

Enter Alain Delon: A Star Already on the Rise

While the French New Wave was flourishing, Alain Delon was carving out a very different path for himself. By the time Jean Luc Godard and the nouvelle vague hit its stride, Delon was already becoming an international star. His breakthrough came with Purple Noon (Plein Soleil) in 1960, directed by René Clément. In this adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley, Delon’s portrayal of Tom Ripley—a charming sociopath—was a revelation. His combination of devilish good looks and a chillingly ambiguous morality captivated audiences and critics alike.

Read more about the youth and rise of Alain Delon

Delon’s career, however, largely bypassed the new wave. While Jean-Paul Belmondo, his contemporary, became synonymous with nouvelle vague classics like Breathless (À bout de souffle) and Pierrot le Fou, Delon aligned himself with a different kind of cinema—one that was slicker, more traditional, and often directed by filmmakers outside the new wave orbit.

Stream now the swashbuckler hit film The Black Tulip (La Tulipe Noire) on TV5MONDEplus

Why Did Delon and the New Wave Never Cross Paths?

1. A Question of Style
   The new wave prized rawness and unpredictability, often casting non-professional actors or those who brought a sense of naturalism to their roles. Delon, on the other hand, embodied a meticulously crafted image of the enigmatic leading man. His performances, though magnetic, leaned more toward polished elegance than the scrappy realism of Godard films or Truffaut’s early works.

2. Timing and Ambition
   By the late 1950s, Delon was already on his way to becoming a global star. He was focused on working with prestigious directors who could solidify his reputation as an actor of international renown. This led him to collaborations with Italian auteurs like Luchino Visconti (Rocco and His Brothers (Rocco e i suoi fratelli), 1960) and Michelangelo Antonioni (The Eclipse (L’Eclisse), 1962). His preference for Italian directors over French ones during the early 1960s may have been another reason he steered clear of the nouvelle vague.

3. A Commercial Sensibility
   The French New Wave was often more experimental and less concerned with box office success. Delon, however, was drawn to high-profile, commercial films that showcased his star power. Movies like The Sicilian Clan (Le Clan des Siciliens) and Borsalino paired him with popular actors like Jean Gabin and Jean-Paul Belmondo, ensuring widespread appeal. Stream the cult comedy Une chance sur deux with Alain Delon and Jean Paul Belmondo on TV5MONDEplus

4. Godard and Delon: Parallel Yet Divergent Worlds
   It’s worth noting that Delon and Jean-Luc Godard, the poster child of the new wave, occupied very different cinematic worlds. While Godard’s films were cerebral, fragmented, and steeped in philosophical dialogue, Delon’s were sleek, character-driven, and more plot-oriented. Their artistic visions were simply at odds.

Delon’s Contribution to Cinema in the New Wave Era

Though Delon wasn’t a part of the nouvelle vague, his contributions to cinema during this period were significant in their own right. He worked with directors who were considered auteurs in their own ways, bridging the gap between mainstream and arthouse cinema.

1. Rocco and His Brothers (Rocco e i suoi fratelli, 1960)
   Directed by Luchino Visconti, this Italian masterpiece showcased Delon’s ability to deliver a deeply emotional performance. As Rocco, a noble and tragic figure, Delon solidified his reputation as more than just a pretty face. The film remains one of his most celebrated works, even though it veered far from the experimental tendencies of the new wave.

2. The Eclipse (L’Eclisse, 1962)
   In Michelangelo Antonioni’s existential drama, Delon plays Piero, a charming but emotionally detached stockbroker. The film’s stark visuals and disjointed narrative aligned it, stylistically at least, with the new wave, though Antonioni was firmly rooted in Italian cinema.

3. The Samurai (Le Samouraï, 1967)
   While not a new wave film, Delon’s collaboration with Jean-Pierre Melville had a profound impact on French cinema. The Samurai (Le Samouraï), with its minimalist dialogue and moody aesthetic, is often considered a neo-noir classic. Melville himself was influenced by some nouvelle vague techniques, blending them with his own unique style to create something timeless.

A Legacy Apart from the New Wave

Though Delon’s path diverged from the nouvelle vague, his career flourished in ways that paralleled the movement’s international impact. His collaborations with Italian and French auteurs made him a truly European star, and his magnetic screen presence influenced generations of actors and filmmakers.

It’s fascinating to consider what might have happened if Delon had worked with Godard, Truffaut, or Rivette. Would we have seen him in the fragmented, freewheeling world of Masculin Féminin or the playful rebellion of Jules and Jim (Jules et Jim)? While we can only speculate, Delon’s body of work remains a testament to his unique place in cinematic history.

The Legacy of Two Cinematic Titans

While the French New Wave disrupted conventions, Alain Delon became a symbol of timeless elegance and mystery, thriving in a parallel but distinct cinematic universe. His films, from The Sicilian Clan (Le Clan des Siciliens) to The Swimming Pool (La Piscine), showcased a different side of French and European cinema—one that was no less significant or enduring.

Ultimately, Delon’s career is a reminder that cinema is vast, multifaceted, and enriched by a diversity of styles. Whether in the gritty streets of a new wave classic or the meticulously composed frames of a Jean-Pierre Melville thriller, Delon’s enduring allure continues to captivate. In the end, he may not have been a Godard darling, but he was, and remains, a legend in his own right.

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Where to Watch French Films in the U.S.

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