Claudia Cardinale was one of the greatest names in European cinema between the 60s and 70s, consolidating itself as an international muse and constant presence in lists of most beautiful and talented actresses of its generation.
Born in Tunisia, on April 15, 1938, Italo-Francesa built an impressive career, with over 150 credits and collaborations with some of the most important directors of world cinema, such as Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti, Werner Herzog and Sergio Leone.
Cardinal died on September 23, 2025, at the age of 87, leaving an artistic legacy that continues to influence new generations of actors and film fans.
Subsequently, we highlight six essential films to find out the trajectory of the actress available to see online.
Claudia Cardinale: the best films with the actress to see in streaming
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Among the most emblematic roles of Claudia Cardinale there is the former Jill McBain prostitute in “Once Upon a West”, a western classic of Spaghetti directed by Sergio Leone.
The plot accompanies Jill, who arrives to the west to marry Brett Mcbain, but discovers that his new family has been massacred at the behest of the Frank guns (Henry Fonda), taken by a railway baron. Next to the mysterious harmonic (Charles Bronson) and Bandit Cheyenne (Jason Robards), she struggles to preserve her lands.
Cardinal plays a complex character. Its interpretation that combines fragility and determination.
Eight and a half (1963)
Among the most famous films of Claudia Cardinale there is “Eight and a half” by Federico Fellini, often listed as one of the greatest works in world cinema.
In the plot, we follow Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastroianni), a director in creative crisis that mixes reality and fantasy while trying to find inspiration for his next film. Cardinal appears as Claudia, the idealized female figure, the symbol of beauty, purity and inspiration for the protagonist.
Although your participation is short in terms of time on the screen, your presence is fundamental for the meaning of work.
The Leopard (1963)
Under the direction of Luchino Visconti, Claudia Cardinale shone in “The Leopard”, the adaptation of the novel by Giuseppe Tomasi of Lampedusa.
The film describes the process of Italian unification in Sicily, focusing on Prince Don Fabrizio (Burt Lancaster), who has to face the political and social transformation of the region. Cardinal plays Angelica Sedara, a young man of humble origin who marries Tancredi (Alain Delon), the prince’s grandson.
His presence on the scene is swept, representing the rise of the new Italian social class. The feature is considered one of the largest epics of world cinema.
The Pink Panther (1963)
In “The Pink Panther”, Claudia Cardinale lives Princess Dala, owner of the legendary Diamond who appoints the film.
The jewel becomes the target of the thief known as Ghost (David Niven), while the troubled inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) tries to reveal the case.
The mix of pastel comedy with the sophisticated charm of production made the film a success and started the iconic franchise.
The son of the Pantara Rosa (1993)
Three decades after his participation in the original film, Claudia Cardinale returned to the Pink Panther universe. In “The Son of the Pink Panther”, he plays Maria Gambrelli, a newspaper previously lived by Elke Sommer in “A Shot in the Dark”.
The plot revolves around Jacques Gambrelli (Roberto Benigni), an illegitimate son of the inspector Clouseau, who follows in his father’s footsteps in the new investigations.
The film marked the end of the classic series directed by Blake Edwards and also characterized the last soundtrack made up of Henry Mancini, composer of the famous theme of the film.
Fitzcarraldo (1982)
At the beginning of the 80s, Claudia Cardinale joined the German director Werner Herzog in “Fitzcarraldo”, one of the most daring films in the history of cinema.
The production follows Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald, known as Fitzcarraldo (Klaus Kinski), an eccentric entrepreneur who dreams of building a theater of the work in the middle of the Peruvian Amazon. To carry out the project, try to transport a ship from a mountain, in one of the most legendary sequences of cinema.
Cardinal plays Molly, owner of a brothel who ends the protagonist’s dreams. His character balances the eccentric and great tone of the film with moments of tenderness and humanity.
Angropt City (2020)
Already in the 21st century, Claudia Cardinale showed that it was still active. In “Ascropt City” (“Rogue City”), directed by Olivier March, he plays Catarina, a matriarch of the Bastiani family, involved in a network of corruption and disputes between the police and the rival bands in Marseille.
The role, although secondary, has strengthened the longevity of the actress and its ability to reinvent itself over the decades, going from historical epopes to contemporary police films.
The post 7 films with Claudia Cardinale, the iconic Italian film actress appeared for the first time in digital look.
Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
