Gian Maria Volonté was an Italian actor known for his intense and powerful performances on screen.
He worked with some of the greatest filmmakers of his time, including Sergio Leone and Bernardo Bertolucci, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Italian actors of the 20th century.
Best Gian Maria Volonté Movies
In this article, we will take a look at some of his most notable and best performances in films, showcasing his talent and range as an actor.
1. For a Few Dollars More (1965)
“For a Few Dollars More” is a 1965 Italian spaghetti western directed by Sergio Leone, which stars Gian Maria Volonté as El Indio, a ruthless and sadistic outlaw.
The film follows two bounty hunters, played by Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef, who team up to capture El Indio and his gang.
Volonté delivers a chilling and unforgettable performance as El Indio, capturing the character’s cruelty and insanity.
The film is considered one of the greatest westerns ever made and is widely regarded as one of Volonté’s most iconic roles.
2. Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970)
“Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion” is a 1970 Italian crime drama film directed by Elio Petri, which stars Gian Maria Volonté as a high-ranking police officer who commits a murder and then proceeds to investigate himself.
The film explores themes of power, corruption, and the abuse of authority. Volonté delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as the conflicted protagonist, capturing the character’s psychological breakdown and his descent into madness.
The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and is widely regarded as one of Volonté’s greatest performances.
![Investigation Of A Citizen Above Suspicion (1970) (Criterion Collection) UK Only [Blu-ray] [2020]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51VPDiTJGVL.jpg)
3. A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
“A Fistful of Dollars” is a 1964 Italian spaghetti western directed by Sergio Leone, which stars Gian Maria Volonté as Ramón Rojo, the main antagonist and a notorious bandit.
The film follows Clint Eastwood as “The Man With No Name” as he plays both sides against each other in a small town caught in the crossfire of two warring factions.
Volonté delivers a captivating performance as Rojo, capturing the character’s cruelty and unpredictability.
The film is considered a classic of the western genre and is widely regarded as one of Volonté’s most memorable roles.
4. Le Cercle Rouge (1970)
“Le Cercle Rouge” is a 1970 French crime thriller directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, which stars Gian Maria Volonté as Vogel, a recently escaped prisoner who becomes involved in a heist planned by a group of criminals.
The film explores themes of fate, loyalty, and the consequences of criminal behavior. Volonté delivers a nuanced and complex performance as Vogel, capturing the character’s vulnerability and his sense of honor.
The film is considered a classic of French cinema and is widely regarded as one of Volonté’s greatest performances.
5. For Love and Gold (1966)
“For Love and Gold” is a 1966 Italian comedy-adventure film directed by Mario Monicelli, which stars Gian Maria Volonté as the villainous Captain, Francesco Ciccio Busacca.
The film follows a group of misfit soldiers who are hired to steal a fortune in gold from the Austrian army during the Napoleonic Wars.
Volonté delivers a memorable and comedic performance as the bumbling and cowardly Captain, capturing the character’s ineptitude and his comedic timing.
The film is considered one of the greatest Italian comedies of all time and is widely regarded as one of Volonté’s most entertaining roles.
6. Sacco & Vanzetti (1971)
“Sacco & Vanzetti” is a 1971 Italian drama film directed by Giuliano Montaldo, which stars Gian Maria Volonté as Bartolomeo Vanzetti, an Italian immigrant who is wrongly accused of murder and sentenced to death during the Red Scare in America.
The film explores themes of injustice, prejudice, and the fight for human rights.
Volonté delivers a powerful and emotional performance as Vanzetti, capturing the character’s courage and his sense of injustice.
The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest Italian films ever made and is considered one of Volonté’s most notable roles.
![Sacco & Vanzetti [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/411WTbSD6xL.jpg)
7. Christ Stopped at Eboli (1979)
“Christ Stopped at Eboli” is a 1979 Italian drama film directed by Francesco Rosi, which stars Gian Maria Volonté as Carlo Levi, an anti-fascist intellectual who is exiled to a remote and impoverished village in southern Italy during the Fascist regime.
The film explores themes of isolation, poverty, and the struggle for human dignity. Volonté delivers a powerful and compassionate performance as Levi, capturing the character’s empathy and his sense of solidarity with the peasants he encounters.
The film is considered a masterpiece of Italian cinema and is widely regarded as one of Volonté’s greatest performances.
8. Stark System (1980)
“Stark System” is a 1980 Italian crime drama film directed by Armenia Balducci, which stars Gian Maria Volonté as Tito Valerio, a criminal mastermind who is planning a heist.
The film follows Valerio’s attempts to assemble a team of experts and execute his plan, while being pursued by the police.
Volonté delivers a compelling performance as Valerio, capturing the character’s intelligence and ruthlessness.
The film is considered one of the best Italian crime films of the 1980s and is widely regarded as one of Volonté’s most notable performances in a crime thriller.
9. Lulu the Tool (1971)
“Lulu the Tool” is a 1971 Italian crime drama film directed by Elio Petri, which stars Gian Maria Volonté as Lulù Massa, a thief who is released from prison and returns to his life of crime.
The film explores themes of poverty, crime, and the impact of society on individual behavior.
Volonté delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Lulù, capturing the character’s desperation and his sense of hopelessness.
The film is considered one of Petri’s best works and is widely regarded as one of Volonté’s most impressive performances in a crime drama.
10. The Mattei Affair (1972)
“The Mattei Affair” is a 1972 Italian political drama film directed by Francesco Rosi, which stars Gian Maria Volonté as Enrico Mattei, an Italian businessman who challenged the power of multinational oil companies and the Italian government.
The film explores themes of corruption, power, and the struggle for economic independence. Volonté delivers a powerful and compelling performance as Mattei, capturing the character’s charisma and his sense of social justice.
The film is considered one of Rosi’s masterpieces and is widely regarded as one of Volonté’s greatest performances in a political drama.
11. Many Wars Ago (1970)
“Many Wars Ago” is a 1970 Italian war drama film directed by Francesco Rosi, which stars Gian Maria Volonté as Captain Asciutto, an officer in the Italian army during World War I.
The film explores themes of patriotism, disillusionment, and the senselessness of war.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a33IIQMjTA4&pp=ygUdTWFueSBXYXJzIEFnbyAoMTk3MCkgIHRyYWlsZXI%3D
Volonté delivers a powerful and emotional performance as Asciutto, capturing the character’s inner conflict and his growing disillusionment with the war.
The film is considered one of Rosi’s greatest works and is widely regarded as one of Volonté’s most impressive performances in a war drama.
![Many Wars Ago [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51hBYgO49HL.jpg)
12. Girl with a Suitcase (1961)
“Girl with a Suitcase” is a 1961 Italian drama film directed by Valerio Zurlini, which stars Gian Maria Volonté as Lorenzo, a struggling young lawyer who takes in a young girl named Aida, played by Claudia Cardinale, who has been abandoned by her former employer.
The film explores themes of redemption, love, and the search for identity.
Volonté delivers a sensitive and understated performance as Lorenzo, capturing the character’s inner turmoil and his growing affection for Aida.
The film is considered one of Zurlini’s masterpieces and is widely regarded as one of Volonté’s most impressive performances in a drama.
![Girl With a Suitcase [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ZOUAOPWOL.jpg)
3 Reasons To Watch Gian Maria Volonté Movies
Exceptional Acting: Gian Maria Volonté was a highly skilled actor who could portray a wide range of characters with depth and nuance. His performances are marked by their intensity, intelligence, and emotional range, making him a compelling presence on screen.
Diversity of Roles: Volonté was known for his versatility and ability to tackle a variety of genres, from crime dramas to historical epics to political thrillers.
This makes his filmography an interesting and diverse selection of films, each with their own unique perspectives and themes.
Cultural Significance: Many of the films in which Volonté appeared are considered important works of Italian cinema and have had a significant impact on the country’s cultural history.
Watching these films not only provides insight into Italian society and culture but also showcases Volonté’s contribution to the art of filmmaking.
Best Gian Maria Volonté Movies – Wrap Up
Gian Maria Volonté was a highly respected and talented Italian actor known for his exceptional performances in a wide range of films.
From crime dramas to historical epics to political thrillers, his filmography is a testament to his versatility and range as an actor.
Some of his most notable and impressive performances include “For a Few Dollars More,” “Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion,” “Le Cercle Rouge,” and “The Seven Cervi Brothers.”
Watching his films not only provides insight into Italian society and culture but also showcases his contribution to the art of filmmaking.
His legacy as one of Italy’s most talented actors continues to be celebrated and appreciated by film enthusiasts around the world.
