Also for the second year in a row, the best-actor award went to a balding, unmuscled man whose face is known more for character than for attractiveness.
Mr. von Sydow was thus able to be nominated for the best-actor award.
The best-actor award at Cannes was a surprise for Mr. Magimel, 27, who has been acting since the age of 12.
The best-actor award went to Sam Rockwell for "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind."
Maximilian Schell's star plummeted after he won the best-actor award for "Judgement at Nuremberg" in 1961.
The role won Mr. Blanc the best-actor award at the 1986 Cannes festival.
His proudest honor is the receipt of five best-actor awards for his B-movie portrayals of swaggering tough guys.
But it was Sir John who won most of the acclaim, as well as the best-actor awards for 1975.
It was Mr. Crowe's third nomination in a row; he won the best-actor award for "Gladiator" last year.
To a lesser extent, best-actor and best-actress awards make an impression on the public.