French cinema: 1950s
Les Héros sont fatigués (1955)
Yves Ciampi
Michel Rivière, a French pilot who served with distinction during the Second World War, discovers a fortune in diamonds when his aircraft crash-lands in Africa...
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Yves Ciampi
Hiroshima mon amour (1959)
Alain Resnais
In the summer of 1957, an aspiring French actress travels to Hiroshima in Japan to work on an anti-war film. The city was totally destroyed when the Americans dropped a nuclear bomb on it at the end of the Second World War, but now it has been rebuilt and shows little sign of the past devastation...
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Alain Resnais
L'Homme à l'imperméable (1957)
Julien Duvivier
When his wife is called away on a family matter, a timid musician, Albert Constantin, finds himself unable to cope with the simplest domestic chore...
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Julien Duvivier
L'Homme aux clefs d'or (1956)
Léo Joannon
Antoine Fournier is a teacher in a college, a kind man who spends his free timing raising funds for a good cause. One day, Rémy Bellanger, one of his students, is caught by Fournier whilst stealing money in his office...
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Léo Joannon
L'Homme de la Jamaïque (1950)
Maurice de Canonge
Jacques Mervel, a notorious smuggler, is organising a lucrative gunrunning operation in Tangier when he runs into Vicky, a young woman hired to take care of a wheelchair-bound old woman Madame Milleris who happens to be one of Mervel's associates...
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Maurice de Canonge
L'Homme et l'enfant (1956)
Raoul André
After WWII, American bachelor and former GI Fred Barker settles in France with his adopted daughter Cathy and manages a perfume factory owned by his friend Carlo Ferell, whose life he saved during the war... [More...]
Raoul André
After WWII, American bachelor and former GI Fred Barker settles in France with his adopted daughter Cathy and manages a perfume factory owned by his friend Carlo Ferell, whose life he saved during the war... [More...]
Les Hommes ne pensent qu'à ça (1954)
Yves Robert
Alfred is madly in love with Nicole, a pretty assistant in a dairy shop, but he is too shy to approach her. Taking pity on the poor man, Don Juan appears and takes it upon himself to instruct Alfred in the delicate art of seduction... [More...]
Yves Robert
Alfred is madly in love with Nicole, a pretty assistant in a dairy shop, but he is too shy to approach her. Taking pity on the poor man, Don Juan appears and takes it upon himself to instruct Alfred in the delicate art of seduction... [More...]
Honoré de Marseille (1956)
Maurice Régamey
Honoré is one of the most popular figures in the French port of Marseille. Interviewed by a journalist, he proudly recounts the history of the town, laying particular emphasis on the important part that his ancestors have played over the years... [More...]
Maurice Régamey
Honoré is one of the most popular figures in the French port of Marseille. Interviewed by a journalist, he proudly recounts the history of the town, laying particular emphasis on the important part that his ancestors have played over the years... [More...]
Huis clos (1954)
Jacqueline Audry
On leaving an elevator, a diverse group of people find themselves in the lobby of what looks like a plush hotel. The receptionist deals with the new arrivals with a cold professionalism and, one by one, they are directed to their rooms... [More...]
Jacqueline Audry
On leaving an elevator, a diverse group of people find themselves in the lobby of what looks like a plush hotel. The receptionist deals with the new arrivals with a cold professionalism and, one by one, they are directed to their rooms... [More...]
Les Hussards (1955)
Alex Joffé
Under Bonaparte, the French army begins its campaign in Italy. Two soldiers, Flicot and Le Gouce, are sent on a reconnaissance mission, but they manage to lose their horses when they encounter a pair of Italian lovers... [More...]
Alex Joffé
Under Bonaparte, the French army begins its campaign in Italy. Two soldiers, Flicot and Le Gouce, are sent on a reconnaissance mission, but they manage to lose their horses when they encounter a pair of Italian lovers... [More...]
Identité judiciaire (1951)
Hervé Bromberger
When 17-year-old Denise runs away from home, the police make haste to find her. They arrive too late. She drowns herself in a canal, the third casualty of a dangerous psychopath who drugs his victims and either abandons them or murders them... [More...]
Hervé Bromberger
When 17-year-old Denise runs away from home, the police make haste to find her. They arrive too late. She drowns herself in a canal, the third casualty of a dangerous psychopath who drugs his victims and either abandons them or murders them... [More...]
Il est minuit, docteur Schweitzer (1952)
André Haguet
Winner of the Nobel Prize for peace in 1952, Albert Schweitzer's career began forty years earlier. After qualifying as a doctor of medicine at Strasbourg University, Schweitzer made up his mind to become a missionary in Africa, a continent desperately in need of his medical expertise... [More...]
André Haguet
Winner of the Nobel Prize for peace in 1952, Albert Schweitzer's career began forty years earlier. After qualifying as a doctor of medicine at Strasbourg University, Schweitzer made up his mind to become a missionary in Africa, a continent desperately in need of his medical expertise... [More...]
L'Impossible Monsieur Pipelet (1955)
André Hunebelle
Maurice and Germaine Martin are a contented middle-aged couple who work as concierges in an upmarket Parisian apartment block... [More...]
André Hunebelle
Maurice and Germaine Martin are a contented middle-aged couple who work as concierges in an upmarket Parisian apartment block... [More...]
Les Impures (1955)
Pierre Chevalier
On his release from prison, petty criminal Mario is eager to make a fresh start, but things get off to a bad start when he learns that his wife Géneviève has not waited for him... [More...]
Pierre Chevalier
On his release from prison, petty criminal Mario is eager to make a fresh start, but things get off to a bad start when he learns that his wife Géneviève has not waited for him... [More...]
Interdit de séjour (1955)
Maurice de Canonge
Pierre Ménard is a young man who makes an honest living working in a Paris jewellery. Unfortunately, he gets into bad company when he falls for Suzie, an attractive young woman who, unbeknown to him, works as a hostess in a sleazy Pigalle nightclub... [More...]
Maurice de Canonge
Pierre Ménard is a young man who makes an honest living working in a Paris jewellery. Unfortunately, he gets into bad company when he falls for Suzie, an attractive young woman who, unbeknown to him, works as a hostess in a sleazy Pigalle nightclub... [More...]
Les Intrigantes (1954)
Henri Decoin
Theatre impresario Paul Rémi is rehearsing his new production Rendez-vous sur l'Olympe when his business partner Bazine falls to his death from a gangway high above the stage... [More...]
Henri Decoin
Theatre impresario Paul Rémi is rehearsing his new production Rendez-vous sur l'Olympe when his business partner Bazine falls to his death from a gangway high above the stage... [More...]
J'irai cracher sur vos tombes (1959)
Michel Gast
In the southern United States in the 1950s, 18-year-old Sonny Grant confides in his half-blood brother Joe that he is in love with a white girl... [More...]
Michel Gast
In the southern United States in the 1950s, 18-year-old Sonny Grant confides in his half-blood brother Joe that he is in love with a white girl... [More...]
J'y suis... j'y reste (1954)
Maurice Labro
Nénette, the owner of a downmarket bar-café, has decided to marry her barman, Jules, but it seems she is already married without her knowledge - to the Baron Hubert de Mont-Vermeil... [More...]
Maurice Labro
Nénette, the owner of a downmarket bar-café, has decided to marry her barman, Jules, but it seems she is already married without her knowledge - to the Baron Hubert de Mont-Vermeil... [More...]
La Jeune folle (1952)
Yves Allégret
Ireland 1922. A nationalist uprising against England has claimed its first victims. As she performs her domestic chores at a Dublin convent, orphan Catherine thinks only of her brother Kevin, a Republican who is on the run from the government forces... [More...]
Yves Allégret
Ireland 1922. A nationalist uprising against England has claimed its first victims. As she performs her domestic chores at a Dublin convent, orphan Catherine thinks only of her brother Kevin, a Republican who is on the run from the government forces... [More...]
Jeux interdits (1952)
René Clément
June 1940. Whilst fleeing from the Nazis during World War II, a convoy of French refugees is attacked from the air by German planes... [More...]
René Clément
June 1940. Whilst fleeing from the Nazis during World War II, a convoy of French refugees is attacked from the air by German planes... [More...]
Le Joueur (1958)
Claude Autant-Lara
In the mid-19th century, Baden-Baden is not only a popular resort for the rich, it is also one of the gambling capitals of Europe... [More...]
Claude Autant-Lara
In the mid-19th century, Baden-Baden is not only a popular resort for the rich, it is also one of the gambling capitals of Europe... [More...]
Journal d'un curé de campagne (1951)
Robert Bresson
A young priest arrives in the small town of Ambricourt in Northern France to take on his first parish. Although he performs the duties of a priest with diligence and humility, he remains an outsider, shunned and even reviled by his neighbours... [More...]
Robert Bresson
A young priest arrives in the small town of Ambricourt in Northern France to take on his first parish. Although he performs the duties of a priest with diligence and humility, he remains an outsider, shunned and even reviled by his neighbours... [More...]
Le Jugement de Dieu (1952)
Raymond Bernard
In the 15th century, Prince Albert of Bavria must marry the far from attractive Bertha de Wurtemberg for political reasons... [More...]
Raymond Bernard
In the 15th century, Prince Albert of Bavria must marry the far from attractive Bertha de Wurtemberg for political reasons... [More...]
Julietta (1953)
Marc Allégret
Whilst holidaying in Limoges, Madame Valender tries to marry her daughter Julietta to Hector d'Alpon, a wealthy prince, to make an impression on everyone... [More...]
Marc Allégret
Whilst holidaying in Limoges, Madame Valender tries to marry her daughter Julietta to Hector d'Alpon, a wealthy prince, to make an impression on everyone... [More...]
Juliette ou La clef des songes (1951)
Marcel Carné
A modest employee in a department store, Michel Grandier resorts to stealing a large sum of money from his boss, Mr Bellanger, so that he can realise his dream of taking his ideal woman, Juliette, on a long journey for an idyllic holiday... [More...]
Marcel Carné
A modest employee in a department store, Michel Grandier resorts to stealing a large sum of money from his boss, Mr Bellanger, so that he can realise his dream of taking his ideal woman, Juliette, on a long journey for an idyllic holiday... [More...]
La Jument verte (1959)
Claude Autant-Lara
During the Second French Empire, a modest farmer Jules Haudouin makes his fortune thanks to his green-skinned mare. Haudouin hires an artist to paint a portrait of his treasured horse, and the painting continues to bring good luck after the horse's death... [More...]
Claude Autant-Lara
During the Second French Empire, a modest farmer Jules Haudouin makes his fortune thanks to his green-skinned mare. Haudouin hires an artist to paint a portrait of his treasured horse, and the painting continues to bring good luck after the horse's death... [More...]
Jusqu'au dernier (1957)
Pierre Billon
After a successful hold-up, Fernand Bastia betrays his gangster friends and flees with the booty, taking refuge in a travelling circus where his sister Marcella works... [More...]
Pierre Billon
After a successful hold-up, Fernand Bastia betrays his gangster friends and flees with the booty, taking refuge in a travelling circus where his sister Marcella works... [More...]
Katia (1959)
Robert Siodmak
The Smolny Institute at St Petersburg provides a refuge for the daughters of noble families who have fallen on hard times... [More...]
Robert Siodmak
The Smolny Institute at St Petersburg provides a refuge for the daughters of noble families who have fallen on hard times... [More...]
Knock (1951)
Guy Lefranc
Dr Knock is a firm believer that medicine is the greatest of human achievements, and it is with eager anticipation that he takes over his new practice in the picturesque French village of St-Maurice... [More...]
Guy Lefranc
Dr Knock is a firm believer that medicine is the greatest of human achievements, and it is with eager anticipation that he takes over his new practice in the picturesque French village of St-Maurice... [More...]
Lady Paname (1950)
Henri Jeanson
Paris, 1925. A young woman, Caprice, has great ambitions of becoming a famous music hall singer, but she needs a song she can claim as her own... [More...]
Henri Jeanson
Paris, 1925. A young woman, Caprice, has great ambitions of becoming a famous music hall singer, but she needs a song she can claim as her own... [More...]