French cinema: 1950s
Les Misérables (1958)
Jean-Paul Le Chanois
France, 1815. Sentenced to five years' hard labour for stealing a loaf of bread, Jean Valjean escapes from prison in Toulon and goes on the run...
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Jean-Paul Le Chanois
Les Mistons (1957)
François Truffaut
In the historic town of Nîmes, an attractive young woman named Bernadette finds she has some unwelcome admirers in a gang of schoolboys who insist on following her about during the long summer holidays...
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François Truffaut
Mitsou (1956)
Jacqueline Audry
France, during the First World War... Mitsou has risen above poverty and obscurity to become a star of the Parisian music hall, but her education is lacking and her taste atrocious for someone aspiring to better herself socially...
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Jacqueline Audry
La Môme vert-de-gris (1953)
Bernard Borderie
After letting slip that there is a plan to steal a large consignment of gold from the United States, a man named Mickey gets into a fight and is killed in a Casablanca nightclub...
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Bernard Borderie
Mon frangin du Sénégal (1953)
Guy Lacourt
Jules Pinson, a photographer, is madly in love with Annette, a grocer's daughter, but she has no interest in him. It is action heroes, of the kind she sees on the screen at the local cinema, that set Annette's heart fluttering, not dullards like Jules...
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Guy Lacourt
Mon oncle (1958)
Jacques Tati
Monsieur Hulot rents a modest rooftop apartment in an old part of Paris, where traders sell their goods in the streets and young boys play games on unsuspecting passers-by... [More...]
Jacques Tati
Monsieur Hulot rents a modest rooftop apartment in an old part of Paris, where traders sell their goods in the streets and young boys play games on unsuspecting passers-by... [More...]
Mon pote le gitan (1959)
François Gir
The Védrines are a perfectly respectable middleclass family who lead a perfectly respectable middleclass life - until the rebellious son Théo manages to get a gypsy girl pregnant... [More...]
François Gir
The Védrines are a perfectly respectable middleclass family who lead a perfectly respectable middleclass life - until the rebellious son Théo manages to get a gypsy girl pregnant... [More...]
Monsieur Fabre (1951)
Henri Diamant-Berger
Avignon, 1861. When he is not fulfilling his duties as a schoolmaster and family man, Jean-Henri Fabre occupies himself in the study of insects, his main passion in life... [More...]
Henri Diamant-Berger
Avignon, 1861. When he is not fulfilling his duties as a schoolmaster and family man, Jean-Henri Fabre occupies himself in the study of insects, his main passion in life... [More...]
Monsieur Leguignon, lampiste (1952)
Maurice Labro
Diogène Leguignon is a humble railway employee whose good intentions rarely result in a happy outcome. Evicted from his home, he and his wife are forced to take up residence in a rundown shack in a less than desirable part of town... [More...]
Maurice Labro
Diogène Leguignon is a humble railway employee whose good intentions rarely result in a happy outcome. Evicted from his home, he and his wife are forced to take up residence in a rundown shack in a less than desirable part of town... [More...]
Monsieur Taxi (1952)
André Hunebelle
Pierre Verger is happy in his job as a Paris taxi driver. He may not be rich, he may not be famous, but he enjoys his work and has an adoring wife, Hélène... [More...]
André Hunebelle
Pierre Verger is happy in his job as a Paris taxi driver. He may not be rich, he may not be famous, but he enjoys his work and has an adoring wife, Hélène... [More...]
Montparnasse 19 (1958)
Jacques Becker
In the Montparnasse district of Paris in 1919, a young Italian painter, Amedeo Modigliani, struggles to make a living as an artist... [More...]
Jacques Becker
In the Montparnasse district of Paris in 1919, a young Italian painter, Amedeo Modigliani, struggles to make a living as an artist... [More...]
La Mort en ce jardin (1956)
Luis Buñuel
The setting is a small village on the Brazilian border. An adventurous young man named Shark arrives here at the same time as a party of diamond prospectors who are preparing to attack a small government garrison... [More...]
Luis Buñuel
The setting is a small village on the Brazilian border. An adventurous young man named Shark arrives here at the same time as a party of diamond prospectors who are preparing to attack a small government garrison... [More...]
Le Mouton à cinq pattes (1954)
Henri Verneuil
Trézignan is a sleepy little town in the southeast of France. Anxious to raise the profile of the town and draw in more visitors, the mayor decides to hold a celebratory fête in honour of a set of quintuplets who were born in the town exactly forty years ago... [More...]
Henri Verneuil
Trézignan is a sleepy little town in the southeast of France. Anxious to raise the profile of the town and draw in more visitors, the mayor decides to hold a celebratory fête in honour of a set of quintuplets who were born in the town exactly forty years ago... [More...]
Le Mystère Picasso (1956)
Henri-Georges Clouzot
Henri-Georges Clouzot is a renowned French film maker, best known for his pessimistic suspense thrillers. At the age of 75, Pablo Picasso is a legendary artist, one of the most celebrated creative talents of the 20th century... [More...]
Henri-Georges Clouzot
Henri-Georges Clouzot is a renowned French film maker, best known for his pessimistic suspense thrillers. At the age of 75, Pablo Picasso is a legendary artist, one of the most celebrated creative talents of the 20th century... [More...]
Le Naïf aux quarante enfants (1958)
Philippe Agostini
It is with an unshakable sense of purpose and optimism that Jean-François Robignac takes up his first post as a French teacher, in a state school in Marseilles... [More...]
Philippe Agostini
It is with an unshakable sense of purpose and optimism that Jean-François Robignac takes up his first post as a French teacher, in a state school in Marseilles... [More...]
Napoléon (1955)
Sacha Guitry
This film recounts the life of one of the most important figures in the history of France, Napoléon Bonaparte. Beginning with his arrival at a military academy, the film moves swiftly through Bonaparte's rise to power as a great general and ultimately Emperor of France... [More...]
Sacha Guitry
This film recounts the life of one of the most important figures in the history of France, Napoléon Bonaparte. Beginning with his arrival at a military academy, the film moves swiftly through Bonaparte's rise to power as a great general and ultimately Emperor of France... [More...]
Nathalie, agent secret (1959)
Henri Decoin
Nathalie and Pivoine are two models who are taking part in a fashion show at the Royal de Megève. Pivoine has a crush on engineer François Pellec, the inventor of an atomic powered car engine... [More...]
Henri Decoin
Nathalie and Pivoine are two models who are taking part in a fashion show at the Royal de Megève. Pivoine has a crush on engineer François Pellec, the inventor of an atomic powered car engine... [More...]
Nez de cuir (1952)
Yves Allégret
Among the many who lie dead or dying on a battlefield in 1814 is Roger de Tinchebraye. Although he survives his injuries, Roger is badly scarred and Dr Marchal can do nothing to save his once beautiful face... [More...]
Yves Allégret
Among the many who lie dead or dying on a battlefield in 1814 is Roger de Tinchebraye. Although he survives his injuries, Roger is badly scarred and Dr Marchal can do nothing to save his once beautiful face... [More...]
Ni vu, ni connu (1958)
Yves Robert
Montgaillard prides itself on being the most peaceful town in France. The only worry for the town's authorities is Blaireau, a poacher who busily supplies the townsfolk with game and fish outside the hunting season... [More...]
Yves Robert
Montgaillard prides itself on being the most peaceful town in France. The only worry for the town's authorities is Blaireau, a poacher who busily supplies the townsfolk with game and fish outside the hunting season... [More...]
Notre Dame de Paris (1956)
Jean Delannoy
Paris, 1492. In and around the Catherdral of Notre Dame, the poor folk celebrate the Festival of Fools. One star attraction is Esmeralda, a beautiful gypsy girl who enchants all with her dancing and singing... [More...]
Jean Delannoy
Paris, 1492. In and around the Catherdral of Notre Dame, the poor folk celebrate the Festival of Fools. One star attraction is Esmeralda, a beautiful gypsy girl who enchants all with her dancing and singing... [More...]
Nous irons à Paris (1950)
Jean Boyer
Jacques, Paul and Julien have one ambition: to host a new radio show. Unable to break into national radio, they decide to create their own radio station... [More...]
Jean Boyer
Jacques, Paul and Julien have one ambition: to host a new radio show. Unable to break into national radio, they decide to create their own radio station... [More...]
Nous n'irons plus au bois (1955)
Ivan Govar
Leaving a juvenile detention centre after serving a term for the accidental killing of his stepmother, Yan makes his way across country to his home village in Flanders, eager to make a fresh start... [More...]
Ivan Govar
Leaving a juvenile detention centre after serving a term for the accidental killing of his stepmother, Yan makes his way across country to his home village in Flanders, eager to make a fresh start... [More...]
Nous sommes tous des assassins (1952)
André Cayatte
During World War II, a series of chance incidents lead an ill-educated young man, René Le Guen, to be recruited by the French Resistance... [More...]
André Cayatte
During World War II, a series of chance incidents lead an ill-educated young man, René Le Guen, to be recruited by the French Resistance... [More...]
La Nuit est mon royaume (1951)
Georges Lacombe
In a brave attempt to save a colleague, railway mechanic Raymond Pinsard is badly injured in an locomotive accident. He is rendered blind, but his doctor assures him that an operation can restore his sight... [More...]
Georges Lacombe
In a brave attempt to save a colleague, railway mechanic Raymond Pinsard is badly injured in an locomotive accident. He is rendered blind, but his doctor assures him that an operation can restore his sight... [More...]
Nuit et brouillard (1955)
Alain Resnais
The Holocaust - two words forever etched on the consciousness of mankind. They resound in our minds like an implacable condemnation from a Celestial power, for a crime which rips the heart and soul out of man's moral purpose... [More...]
Alain Resnais
The Holocaust - two words forever etched on the consciousness of mankind. They resound in our minds like an implacable condemnation from a Celestial power, for a crime which rips the heart and soul out of man's moral purpose... [More...]
O.S.S. 117 n'est pas mort (1957)
Jean Sacha
French secret agent Colonel Hubert Bonnisseur de La Bath (alias OSS 117) is asked by a close acquaintance Muriel Rousset to recover a set of secret documents that have been stolen from the safe of Sir Anthony Lead... [More...]
Jean Sacha
French secret agent Colonel Hubert Bonnisseur de La Bath (alias OSS 117) is asked by a close acquaintance Muriel Rousset to recover a set of secret documents that have been stolen from the safe of Sir Anthony Lead... [More...]
Obsession (1954)
Jean Delannoy
Aldo and Hélène are a couple who have become famous through their daring trapeze act. Presently, Hélène is concerned by her husband's coolness towards her... [More...]
Jean Delannoy
Aldo and Hélène are a couple who have become famous through their daring trapeze act. Presently, Hélène is concerned by her husband's coolness towards her... [More...]
Olivia (1951)
Jacqueline Audry
Victoire, the cook at a young women's institution, is charged with meeting Olivia, a young English student, at the station... [More...]
Jacqueline Audry
Victoire, the cook at a young women's institution, is charged with meeting Olivia, a young English student, at the station... [More...]
Ombre et lumière (1951)
Henri Calef
Isabelle Leiritz was a world class pianist before a nervous breakdown imposed a temporary break on her career. Leaving the rest home where she has spent the past few years convalescing, Isabelle visits her half-sister Caroline and contemplates her future... [More...]
Henri Calef
Isabelle Leiritz was a world class pianist before a nervous breakdown imposed a temporary break on her career. Leaving the rest home where she has spent the past few years convalescing, Isabelle visits her half-sister Caroline and contemplates her future... [More...]
Les Orgueilleux (1953)
Yves Allégret
In a remote Mexican town, a coach deposits two strangers, an attractive young French woman Nelly and her visibly sick husband Tom... [More...]
Yves Allégret
In a remote Mexican town, a coach deposits two strangers, an attractive young French woman Nelly and her visibly sick husband Tom... [More...]