French film photo galley for 1960

French films of the 1960s

Zazie dans le métro (1960)

This early Louis Malle film is a sparkling French farce, very reminiscent of the comic silent movies of the 1920s. A precocious little girl, with a foul mouth and a wicked sense of fun, provides the catalyst for some deliriously funny comic situations. The high-point is probably Philippe Noiret prancing about on top of the Eiffel tower... [More...]

Cléo de 5 à 7 (1961)

Agnès Varda’s second full-length film, and probably her most highly rated work, is one of the defining films of the French New Wave. Like many of her Nouvelle Vague contemporaries, Varda combines a direct, almost documentary style of film-making with an intensely humanist perspective, whilst bringing in wider political concerns of the day (here... [More...]

Don Camillo Monsignor (1961)

This is the fourth in a series of films in which the legendary French comic actor Fernandel played Don Camillo, the character of the popular novels by Giovanni Guareschi. Whilst Fernandel still clearly relishes the part that fits him like a glove, it’s equally clear that the ideas are starting to dry up. After all... [More...]

L'Année dernière à Marienbad (1961)

There are few films that stand out as being unique and entirely unlike anything that has gone before, but Alain Resnais’s L’année derniere à Marienbad is one such film. Whereas most films adopt and build on previously established conventions, this film tears up the rule book completely and transports us into a parallel universe... [More...]

Le Capitaine Fracasse (1961)

Since Théophile Gautier’s novel was first published in 1863, Le Capitaine Fracasse has enjoyed widespread popularity, particularly in France, in much the same vein as Dumas’ The Three Musketeers. Although less well known than Dumas’ historical tale, Le Capitaine Fracasse is an appropriate story for the cinema and has enjoyed three successful film adaptations too... [More...]

Le Miracle des loups (1961)

This swashbuckling historical adventure is typical a genre of film that was very popular in France in the late 1950s and early 1960s – almost invariably with Jean Marais playing the role of an indefatigable, epee-thrusting action hero. Le Miracle des loups was directed by André Hunebelle, who was particularly adept at making this kind of film... [More...]

Le Président (1961)

Few films stand alone on the strength of a single actor’s performance, but this is one such film. Although Verneuil’s direction cannot be faulted and Michel Audiard’s script is exemplary, it is Jean Gabin’s performance above all else which makes this film so memorable. Gabin, possibly France’s greatest actor... [More...]

Léon Morin, prêtre (1961)

In this film, which won the Grand Prix de Venice in 1961, Jean-Pierre Melville paints a fascinating study of a woman who is disturbed, both sexually and morally. As the film progresses we see her subjected to a spiritual awakening that arises from her physical and intellectual attraction for a Catholic priest. Emmanuelle Riva manages to convey the turmoil and guilt of the young woman’s... [More...]

Lola (1961)

This is a quaint film, in the mould of the New Wave in which director Jacques Demy was to thrive. The film has a flowing, almost lyrical quality, which is a pleasure to watch. There are fine performances from Anouk Aimée and Marc Michel, respectively Lola and Roland, and the direction and photography are quite masterful... [More...]

La Princesse de Clèves (1961)

Princesse de Clèves is a lavish period production based on the 17th century historical novel by Madame de La Fayette. Set at the court of the ill-fated Henri II, the story concerns mainly an impossible romance between a young duke and a young Princess, although it also brings in wider court intrigue involving other historical figures such as Catherine de Medici... [More...]

Une femme est une femme (1961)

This is probably director Jean-Luc Godard’s funniest film, although it is in his characteristically tongue-in-cheek, slightly anarchistic style that uniquely identified his contribution to the French New Wave. This is a film that is fast, charged with energy and colour, with some genuinely comic moments that seem to surpass comedy in their brilliance... [More...]

Adieu Philippine (1962)

Adieu Philippine is Jacques Rozier’s first film and probably the one film which captures most vividly the essence of the French New Wave. It is a film that exudes the New Wave mentality in every scene, every shot. Out-Godarding Godard with its frequent jump-cutting and introverted, self-referential humour, the film is charged with an energy and sense of daring that seems to be the sheer... [More...]

Adorable menteuse (1962)

This light romantic comedy has the allure and feel of New Wave cinema but appears pretty inconsequential besides the works of the masters such as Truffaut and Godard. The film alternates between youthful exuberance, passionate romance and dark film policier without being convincing or satisfying in either mode. Still, Marina Vlady is delightful as the compulsive liar who gets hoist by her... [More...]

Cartouche (1962)

This film is a curious mix of comedy, swash-buckling adventure, romance and tragic drama. Whilst it succeeds to some extent in all of these areas, the overall ensemble feels strangely lacking. It is interesting to compare this with one of Philippe de Broca’s later films, his 1997 film Le Bossu, which follows a similar path... [More...]

Jules et Jim (1962)

Widely acknowledged as a masterpiece and probably the most popular of the New Wave French films of the early 1960s, Jules et Jim is François Truffaut’s enchanting ode to love and friendship. Based on an obscure novel by Henri-Pierre Roché, the film depicts a 30 year long relationship involving two men... [More...]

La Jetée (1962)

La Jetée is arguably one of the most distinctive and memorable of the films which emerged from the French New Wave filmmakers of the early 1960s. It tells a haunting and provocative story, with a powerful twist ending, through a series of black and white photographic still images, accompanied by an emotionless yet compelling narration... [More...]

La Guerre des boutons (1962)

The film was made at the height of France’s protracted and costly war against Algeria, something which may have contributed to director Yves Robert’s problems in finding a financial backer for the film. In the end, he had to set up his own production company with his wife, Danièle Delorme. No French distribution company would touch the film... [More...]

Le Chevalier de Pardaillan (1962)

Le Chevalier de Pardaillan is typical of the kind of swashbuckling adventure film that was enormously popular in France in the 1950s and 1960s. Based on historical novels, the films generally had excellent production values and featured high profile actors such as Jean Marais in the role of the heroic master swordsman. Whilst it isn’t the best example of its kind... [More...]

Le Diable et les dix commandements (1962)

The multi-part film is a difficult kind of cinema to get right but Duvivier’s Le Diable et les dix commandements is a rare exception where the form succeeds admirably. The film consists of seven roughly 15 minute sketches, each showing what may happen if one or more of the Ten Commandments is broken. Each sketch is self-contained (except for the last which returns to the first) and... [More...]

Le Septième juré (1962)

Le Septième juré manages to be both a masterpiece of the suspense thriller genre and a cleverly written satire on the corrupt bourgeois elite in France. It is by far the best film to have been made by Georges Lautner, who is perhaps better known for his comic thriller parodies, such as Les Tontons flinguers... [More...]

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