French actor Alain Delon will be honored at the Cannes film festival later this month with a screening of Plein Soleil, Rene Clement's 1960 adaptation of The Talented Mr Ripley, in which he starred.

The tribute will be paid to the 77-year-old Delon, who now lives in Switzerland, as part of the Cannes Classics series, festival organizers said Tuesday, confirming a newspaper report.

Plein Soleil (Purple Noon) marked a turning point in Delon's career. His portrayal of the parasite Tom Ripley in Clement's sun-drenched thriller presented a psychological portrait of a murderous young cynic who attempts to take on the identity of his victim.

That success led to the critically acclaimed Rocco et ses Freres (Rocco and His Brothers), which handed Delon a totally different role playing the devoted Rocco, who accepts the greatest sacrifices to save his shiftless brother Simon.

Delon was a sensation early in his career; he came to embody the young, energetic, often morally corrupted man. With his breathtaking good looks he was also destined to play tender lovers and romantic heroes, and he was a French embodiment of the type created in America by James Dean.

Delon, regarded as a talented and versatile actor, went on to make some 100 films in a career lasting over half a century.

AFP - Agencies