Films starring Claudia Cardinale

In the 51 years since she was voted `The Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia', Claudia Cardinale has been a luminous presence on the European cine-scene. Yet, ironically, the 19 year-old had only been speaking Italian for six years when she won her title. However, a two-month stint at the famous Centro Sperimentale film school readied her for... show more >

In the 51 years since she was voted `The Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia', Claudia Cardinale has been a luminous presence on the European cine-scene. Yet, ironically, the 19 year-old had only been speaking Italian for six years when she won her title. However, a two-month stint at the famous Centro Sperimentale film school readied her for collaborations with some of Italy's finest film-makers, including Luchino Visconti (Rocco and His Brothers, 1960 & The Leopard, 1963), Federico Fellini (8∏, 1963) and Sergio Leone (Once Upon a Time in the West, 1968). A passionate advocate of human rights, Cardinale is such an opponent of the studio star system that she has consistently spurned Hollywood entreaties and opted to work with auteurs like Werner Herzog on unique projects like Fitzcarraldo (1982). But too few of the bewitching actress's films are available on disc, so let's start the campaign for more right here. < show less