French cinema: 1950s
Sois belle et tais-toi (1958)
Marc Allégret
After escaping from a strict Catholic reform school, Virginie Dumaillet goes on the run and ends up joining a gang of adolescent petty criminals led by a wild young hoodlum named Loulou...
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Marc Allégret
Sophie et le crime (1955)
Pierre Gaspard-Huit
Sophie Brulard is a feisty young Parisian who is keen to make her mark as a journalist on the gossip magazine she works for, Tel Quel...
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Pierre Gaspard-Huit
Sous le ciel de Paris (1951)
Julien Duvivier
In a small garret in Paris's sixth arrondissement, Mademoiselle Perrier lives with her numerous cats. To feed her treasured pets, the old woman needs to find 64 francs, so she sets out one morning to see if some kind soul will give her the money...
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Julien Duvivier
Souvenirs perdus (1950)
Christian-Jaque
Four forgotten objects in a lost property office each has a story to tell. An Egyptian statue was a present that Philippe once gave to his lover Florence...
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Christian-Jaque
Les Statues meurent aussi (1953)
Chris Marker
Today when we see an African sculpture made in a previous century we are likely to be fascinated by it, perhaps mesmerised by its unfamiliar exotic beauty...
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Chris Marker
Suivez-moi jeune homme (1958)
Guy Lefranc
Aristide Oranos, a wealthy ship owner, is in love with Françoise, a shop assistant in a jeweller's shop. When the young woman rejects him several times, Aristide becomes convinced that she already has a man in her life and hires a private detective, Michel Corbier, to spy on her... [More...]
Guy Lefranc
Aristide Oranos, a wealthy ship owner, is in love with Françoise, a shop assistant in a jeweller's shop. When the young woman rejects him several times, Aristide becomes convinced that she already has a man in her life and hires a private detective, Michel Corbier, to spy on her... [More...]
Sur le banc (1955)
Robert Vernay
Two middle-aged tramps, La Hurlette and Carmen, meet up every day on the same park bench in Paris. La Hurlette enjoys the life of the vagabond but he is more than willing to give this up when, one day, he discovers that he has inherited a fortune... [More...]
Robert Vernay
Two middle-aged tramps, La Hurlette and Carmen, meet up every day on the same park bench in Paris. La Hurlette enjoys the life of the vagabond but he is more than willing to give this up when, one day, he discovers that he has inherited a fortune... [More...]
Sursis pour un vivant (1959)
Víctor Merenda
Not long after Jean Monnier, a successful writer, narrowly escapes death in a car accident he is visited in hospital by a man who offers him an unusual service... [More...]
Víctor Merenda
Not long after Jean Monnier, a successful writer, narrowly escapes death in a car accident he is visited in hospital by a man who offers him an unusual service... [More...]
Les Suspects (1957)
Jean Dréville
In France, a mysterious network of political agitators are organising a campaign of terror, which they announce over the airwaves through a series of clandestine radio broadcasts... [More...]
Jean Dréville
In France, a mysterious network of political agitators are organising a campaign of terror, which they announce over the airwaves through a series of clandestine radio broadcasts... [More...]
La Table aux crevés (1952)
Henri Verneuil
Returning to his farm, Urbain Coindet is surprised to find his wife Aurélie hanging by her neck from the ceiling in her kitchen... [More...]
Henri Verneuil
Returning to his farm, Urbain Coindet is surprised to find his wife Aurélie hanging by her neck from the ceiling in her kitchen... [More...]
Taxi, Roulotte et Corrida (1958)
André Hunebelle
This summer, Maurice Berger feels he has earned his holiday. A hard-working taxi driver, he will be glad to escape from the hustle and bustle of Paris and enjoy a few weeks' peace and quiet in Spain, in the company of his family... [More...]
André Hunebelle
This summer, Maurice Berger feels he has earned his holiday. A hard-working taxi driver, he will be glad to escape from the hustle and bustle of Paris and enjoy a few weeks' peace and quiet in Spain, in the company of his family... [More...]
Le Temps des oeufs durs (1958)
Norbert Carbonnaux
Garage attendant Louis Stainval is a shy daydreamer with no money. One day, he wins a large sum of money via the national lottery and decides to spice up his life... [More...]
Norbert Carbonnaux
Garage attendant Louis Stainval is a shy daydreamer with no money. One day, he wins a large sum of money via the national lottery and decides to spice up his life... [More...]
Le Testament du Docteur Cordelier (1959)
Jean Renoir
Dr Cordelier was once a renowned specialist in the field of modern psychiatry, although his more radical theories often brought him into conflict with his peers, none more so than Dr Séverin... [More...]
Jean Renoir
Dr Cordelier was once a renowned specialist in the field of modern psychiatry, although his more radical theories often brought him into conflict with his peers, none more so than Dr Séverin... [More...]
La Tête contre les murs (1959)
Georges Franju
Worn down by the troublesome behaviour of his rebellious son François, Maître Gérane, a well-known lawyer, has him interned in a psychiatric hospital... [More...]
Georges Franju
Worn down by the troublesome behaviour of his rebellious son François, Maître Gérane, a well-known lawyer, has him interned in a psychiatric hospital... [More...]
Thérèse Raquin (1953)
Marcel Carné
After being adopted by her aunt, Thérèse Raquin was forced into marrying her sickly cousin Camille at an early age... [More...]
Marcel Carné
After being adopted by her aunt, Thérèse Raquin was forced into marrying her sickly cousin Camille at an early age... [More...]
Tire au flanc (1950)
Fernand Rivers
Despite the best efforts of his aristocratic aunt, Jean du Bois d'Ombelle cannot get out of doing his military service. By contrast, his manservant, Joseph Turlot, can hardly wait to get into uniform, even if it means taking leave of his fiancée Georgette... [More...]
Fernand Rivers
Despite the best efforts of his aristocratic aunt, Jean du Bois d'Ombelle cannot get out of doing his military service. By contrast, his manservant, Joseph Turlot, can hardly wait to get into uniform, even if it means taking leave of his fiancée Georgette... [More...]
Topaze (1951)
Marcel Pagnol
A schoolmaster at a private school, Albert Topaze is a man of exceptional character who tries to inculcate his virtuous beliefs in his pupils... [More...]
Marcel Pagnol
A schoolmaster at a private school, Albert Topaze is a man of exceptional character who tries to inculcate his virtuous beliefs in his pupils... [More...]
Touchez pas au grisbi (1954)
Jacques Becker
Max and Riton are two ageing gangsters who have just pulled off a spectacular gold bullion robbery at Orly airport. Both men hope to retire gracefully on their ill-gotten gains but their plans are jeopardised when Riton says more than he should to his mistress Josy... [More...]
Jacques Becker
Max and Riton are two ageing gangsters who have just pulled off a spectacular gold bullion robbery at Orly airport. Both men hope to retire gracefully on their ill-gotten gains but their plans are jeopardised when Riton says more than he should to his mistress Josy... [More...]
La Tour de Nesle (1955)
Abel Gance
Paris, 1315. The Tour de Nesle, a guard tower on the banks of the Seine, has become a symbol of mystery and fear. Each morning, at its base, the bodies of handsome young aristocrats are found floating in the river, all butchered by sword or arrow... [More...]
Abel Gance
Paris, 1315. The Tour de Nesle, a guard tower on the banks of the Seine, has become a symbol of mystery and fear. Each morning, at its base, the bodies of handsome young aristocrats are found floating in the river, all butchered by sword or arrow... [More...]
La Tour, prends garde! (1958)
Georges Lampin
In the mid-17th century, Henri La Tour leads a troupe of travelling actors at the time when France is at war with Austria... [More...]
Georges Lampin
In the mid-17th century, Henri La Tour leads a troupe of travelling actors at the time when France is at war with Austria... [More...]
Tourments (1954)
Jacques Daniel-Norman
Known to the world as Tony Caylor, Jacques Duffot surprised everyone when he chose to give up his high-profile singing career so that he could devote himself to his wife, Anne-Marie... [More...]
Jacques Daniel-Norman
Known to the world as Tony Caylor, Jacques Duffot surprised everyone when he chose to give up his high-profile singing career so that he could devote himself to his wife, Anne-Marie... [More...]
La Tournée des grands Ducs (1953)
André Pellenc
Gaston, the son of the notary Fromageot, is in love with Brigitte, the daughter of a baroness. Shortly after his arrival in Paris, he loses some money entrusted to him by the baroness and he ends up working in a cabaret to try to make good his loss... [More...]
André Pellenc
Gaston, the son of the notary Fromageot, is in love with Brigitte, the daughter of a baroness. Shortly after his arrival in Paris, he loses some money entrusted to him by the baroness and he ends up working in a cabaret to try to make good his loss... [More...]
Tous peuvent me tuer (1957)
Henri Decoin
Tony wants nothing more than to marry Isabelle and lead an honest life, but first he must make some money. This he plans to do by taking part in a hold-up with four other men, led by Cyril Glad, a tourist guide... [More...]
Henri Decoin
Tony wants nothing more than to marry Isabelle and lead an honest life, but first he must make some money. This he plans to do by taking part in a hold-up with four other men, led by Cyril Glad, a tourist guide... [More...]
La Traversée de Paris (1956)
Claude Autant-Lara
In Paris, during the Nazi occupation, Marcel Martin is forced to give up his job as a taxi driver, and makes a modest living as a blackmarket delivery boy... [More...]
Claude Autant-Lara
In Paris, during the Nazi occupation, Marcel Martin is forced to give up his job as a taxi driver, and makes a modest living as a blackmarket delivery boy... [More...]
Le Trésor de Cantenac (1950)
Sacha Guitry
After losing everything he possesses, an old baron has just one wish before he dies, to see the village of his forebears, Cantenac... [More...]
Sacha Guitry
After losing everything he possesses, an old baron has just one wish before he dies, to see the village of his forebears, Cantenac... [More...]
Les Tricheurs (1958)
Marcel Carné
Middle class student Bob Letellier enters a new world when he meets Alain, a free-thinking rebel who, along with his group of young Parisians, has opted for a life of instant gratification instead of work and commitment... [More...]
Marcel Carné
Middle class student Bob Letellier enters a new world when he meets Alain, a free-thinking rebel who, along with his group of young Parisians, has opted for a life of instant gratification instead of work and commitment... [More...]
Le Triporteur (1957)
Jacques Pinoteau
Football is something of a national obsession in France, so when their team qualifies for the Cup Final the inhabitants of the town of Vauxbrelles are naturally overjoyed... [More...]
Jacques Pinoteau
Football is something of a national obsession in France, so when their team qualifies for the Cup Final the inhabitants of the town of Vauxbrelles are naturally overjoyed... [More...]
Trois de la Canebière (1956)
Maurice de Canonge
Toinet, Girelle and Pénible make a team of fishermen in Marseille. One evening, Girelle and Toinet attempt to impress a pair of ravishing young women by passing themselves off as the owners of a sardine canning factory... [More...]
Maurice de Canonge
Toinet, Girelle and Pénible make a team of fishermen in Marseille. One evening, Girelle and Toinet attempt to impress a pair of ravishing young women by passing themselves off as the owners of a sardine canning factory... [More...]
Les Trois font la paire (1957)
Sacha Guitry
Jojo's sole ambition in life is to become a gangster, but to gain admittance to a gang he has to prove himself by committing a daring act... [More...]
Sacha Guitry
Jojo's sole ambition in life is to become a gangster, but to gain admittance to a gang he has to prove himself by committing a daring act... [More...]
Trois jours à vivre (1957)
Gilles Grangier
Simon Belin, a minor actor with a travelling theatre company, witnesses a murder. Hoping that the publicity he will gain will help his career, Simon identifies the killer as Lino Ferrari, a notorious gangster who, in reality, is innocent of the crime... [More...]
Gilles Grangier
Simon Belin, a minor actor with a travelling theatre company, witnesses a murder. Hoping that the publicity he will gain will help his career, Simon identifies the killer as Lino Ferrari, a notorious gangster who, in reality, is innocent of the crime... [More...]