Die Besucher
His first major role in the cinema was as one of the devil's envoys in Marcel Carné's film "Les Visiteurs du soir" (1942). A few other romantic leading parts followed, but increasingly he appeared in supporting roles, especially in characterizations of intellectuals such as the tormented philosopher Steiner in "La Dolce Vita" (1960), directed by Federico Fellini. He worked frequently in Italian cinema and had close associations with Michelangelo Antonioni and Francesco Rosi as well as Fellini. One of his most admired film performances was in Rosi's "Uomini contro" ("Many Wars Ago", 1970), as the rigidly authoritarian General Leone.