Before Matt Damon was even born, French heartthrob Alain Delon turned in a chilling and memorable performance as Tom Ripley in 1960’s French version of the tale, Plein Soleil (Purple Noon) — one of Criticker’s Neglected Gems.

René Clément’s version of The Talented Mr. Ripley was a hit with both critics and audiences, and launched Delon into stardom. Shot in ravishing locations on the Mediterranean, Clément maintains a brisk, suspenseful pace in crafting a film which is much more a thriller than Anthony Minghella’s slower, more langorous (and more faithful) 1999 version. And the French version is better (at least according to Criticker users!)

Less than 25 of this site’s users have seen this classic, which is a shame. But their rankings have been unanimously positive, which is quite a feat. Plein Soleil has been compared to the best of Hitchcock and has become a cult classic, championed by no less an authority than Martin Scorsese, who organized its theatrical re-release in 1996 (three years before Minghella’s version).

Along with the striking Mediterranean settings, Alain Delon is the film’s magnetic attraction — his indecipherable, soulless Tom Ripley is as oddly repellent as he is seductive. His is much less sympathetic than Damon’s portrayal, but more compelling. It’s a performance, and a film, you shouldn’t miss.