French recommended films
Before 1900 - between 1900 and 1920 - 20's - 30's - 40's - 50's - 60's - 70's - 80's - 90's - 2000+ - 2010+ - 2020+
Before 1900:
Before 1900, there were several notable French films that laid the groundwork for the development of cinema as an art form. Some of these early French films include:
1. **"La sortie de l'usine Lumière à Lyon" (1895)**: Directed by Louis Lumière, this short film is often considered one of the earliest examples of cinema. It depicts workers leaving the Lumière factory in Lyon, France.
2. **"L'Arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat" (1895)**: Another pioneering film by the Lumière brothers, this short clip famously shows a train arriving at a station, causing some viewers at the time to reportedly panic, believing the train was coming towards them.
3. **"Le Repas de Bébé" (1895)**: Also directed by Louis Lumière, this short film depicts a baby having lunch, showcasing the Lumière brothers' interest in documenting everyday life.
4. **"Arroseur et arrosé" (1895)**: Directed by Louis Lumière, this humorous short film features a gardener getting sprayed with water by a mischievous boy.
5. **"Le Déjeuner de bébé" (1896)**: Another early Lumière film, this short clip shows a baby having breakfast.
These early films were short, usually lasting only a few minutes, and often focused on mundane or everyday scenes. However, they were groundbreaking in their time and laid the foundation for the development of narrative storytelling in cinema.
Between 1900 and 1920
During the early 20th century, French cinema experienced significant growth and innovation. Some notable French films produced between 1900 and 1920 include:
1. "The Assassination of the Duc de Guise" (1908) - Directed by André Calmettes and Charles Le Bargy, this silent film is one of the earliest examples of historical drama in French cinema.
2. "A Trip to the Moon" (1902) - Directed by Georges Méliès, this iconic silent film is one of the earliest examples of science fiction cinema. It's known for its imaginative special effects and groundbreaking techniques.
3. "Fantômas" (1913) - Directed by Louis Feuillade, this silent crime serial is based on the popular novels featuring the character Fantômas, a master criminal. It consists of five separate films, each with its own storyline.
4. "Les Vampires" (1915-1916) - Also directed by Louis Feuillade, this silent crime serial follows the exploits of a criminal gang known as the Vampires. It's another influential work in early French cinema.
5. "La Roue" (1923) - Directed by Abel Gance, this silent film tells the story of a railway engineer and his troubled relationship with his adopted daughter. It's notable for its innovative use of editing techniques, particularly in its depiction of the railway.
These are just a few examples of the diverse range of films produced in France during the early 20th century. French cinema during this period played a crucial role in the development of cinematic language and storytelling techniques.
French films in the 20's
French cinema in the 1920s experienced a period of significant artistic innovation and creativity. Here are a few notable French films from that era:
1. "La Roue" (The Wheel) - Directed by Abel Gance in 1923, this silent film is an epic melodrama that tells the story of a railway engineer and his adopted daughter. Known for its innovative use of rapid editing techniques and its ambitious scope, "La Roue" is considered one of the masterpieces of silent cinema.
2. "Napoleon" - Also directed by Abel Gance, this silent film from 1927 is a biographical epic about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. It is renowned for its innovative use of camera techniques, including handheld shots and widescreen sequences, as well as its grand scale and visual spectacle.
3. "L'Inhumaine" (The Inhuman Woman) - Directed by Marcel L'Herbier in 1924, this silent film is a visually stunning work that combines elements of science fiction, melodrama, and avant-garde aesthetics. It tells the story of a famous opera singer who becomes embroiled in a love triangle with a scientist and a poet.
4. "Entr'acte" - Directed by René Clair in 1924, this experimental short film was originally conceived as an intermission piece for a ballet by Francis Picabia. It features surreal and absurd imagery, playful editing techniques, and a lively score by composer Erik Satie.
5. "Un Chien Andalou" (An Andalusian Dog) - Directed by Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí in 1929, this short silent film is a landmark work of surrealist cinema. It is composed of dreamlike, disjointed sequences that defy conventional narrative logic and explore themes of desire, violence, and the subconscious.
These are just a few examples of the diverse and innovative films produced in France during the 1920s, a period often referred to as the "Golden Age" of silent cinema.
The 1920s were a significant period in French cinema, witnessing the emergence of several influential filmmakers and movements. Here's a list of 100 French films from the 1920s:
1. "The Passion of Joan of Arc" (La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc) - 1928
2. "Napoleon" - 1927
3. "The Smiling Madame Beudet" (La Souriante Madame Beudet) - 1923
4. "The Blood of a Poet" (Le Sang d'un Poète) - 1926
5. "The Seashell and the Clergyman" (La Coquille et le Clergyman) - 1928
6. "L'Inhumaine" - 1924
7. "The Fall of the House of Usher" (La Chute de la maison Usher) - 1928
8. "Menilmontant" - 1926
9. "Un Chien Andalou" - 1929
10. "Au Bonheur des Dames" - 1929
11. "The Italian Straw Hat" (Un Chapeau de Paille d'Italie) - 1927
12. "The Ghost Train" (Le Train fantôme) - 1927
13. "La Terre" - 1921
14. "The Phantom Carriage" (La Charrette fantôme) - 1921
15. "The New Gentlemen" (Les Nouveaux Messieurs) - 1928
16. "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" (Les Quatre Cavaliers de l'Apocalypse) - 1921
17. "The Passion of Joan of Arc" (La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc) - 1928
18. "La Femme de Nulle Part" - 1922
19. "The Student of Prague" (L'Etudiant de Prague) - 1926
20. "Gribiche" - 1926
21. "The Love of Jeanne Ney" (Le Roman de Jeanne Ney) - 1927
22. "Cagliostro" - 1929
23. "The Living Corpse" (Le Cadavre vivant) - 1929
24. "The Last Days of Pompeii" (Les Derniers Jours de Pompei) - 1926
25. "The End of the World" (La Fin du Monde) - 1929
26. "The Marriage of Mademoiselle Beulemans" (Le Mariage de Mademoiselle Beulemans) - 1927
27. "The Red Lily" (Lys rouge) - 1924
28. "Nana" - 1926
29. "Casque d'Or" - 1928
30. "L'Argent" - 1928
31. "The Mysteries of Paris" (Les Mystères de Paris) - 1922
32. "The Man with the Hispano" (L'Homme à l'Hispano) - 1926
33. "The Passion of Joan of Arc" (La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc) - 1928
34. "The Love of Jeanne Ney" (Le Roman de Jeanne Ney) - 1927
35. "Under the Roofs of Paris" (Sous les toits de Paris) - 1929
36. "The Light" (La Lumière) - 1924
37. "Feu Mathias Pascal" - 1926
38. "Fighting Blood" (J'accuse) - 1921
39. "Coeur fidèle" - 1923
40. "The Phantom of the Moulin Rouge" (Le Fantôme du Moulin Rouge) - 1925
41. "The Lighthouse Keepers" (Les Gardiens de Phare) - 1929
42. "Madame Récamier" - 1928
43. "The Queen of Atlantic" (La Reine de l'Atlantique) - 1921
44. "L'Inhumaine" - 1924
45. "Surrender" (Abdul the Damned) - 1929
46. "The Red Head" (La Tête d'un Homme) - 1929
47. "The Tunnel" (Le Tunnel) - 1928
48. "The Fugitive" (La Fugitive) - 1923
49. "The Unknown Singer" (La Chanteuse inconnue) - 1927
50. "The King of Paris" (Le Roi de Paris) - 1926
51. "The Chess Player" (Le Joueur d'échecs) - 1927
52. "Nana" - 1926
53. "The Love of a Queen" (Le Coup de Vent) - 1928
54. "The Green Monocle" (Le Monocle vert) - 1929
55. "Martyrdom" (L'Enfant de Paris) - 1923
56. "Miss Helyett" - 1927
57. "The Crowning of Paris" (Le Couronnement de Paris) - 1926
58. "Paris" - 1926
59. "Les Deux Timides" - 1928
60. "The Child of Paris" (L'Enfant de Paris) - 1923
61. "The Last Blow" (Le Dernier coup de Trafalgar) - 1929
62. "The Sea Hawk" (La Piste des Géants) - 1924
63. "The Mediator" (Le Médiateur) - 1927
64. "The Marriage of Mlle. Beulemans" (Le Mariage de Mademoiselle Beulemans) - 1927
65. "The Great Adventure" (La Belle Abenture) - 1927
66. "The Two Brothers" (Les Deux Gosses) - 1924
67. "The Constant Nymph" (L'Eternal Retour) - 1929
68. "The Garden of Torment" (Le Jardin des supplices) - 1925
69. "The Eagle and the Hawk" (L'Aigle à deux têtes) - 1928
70. "The Volga Boatman" (Les Nuits de la Ville) - 1926
71. "The White Slave" (L'Esclave blanche) - 1927
72. "The Three Must-Get-Theres" (Les Trois Mousquetaires) - 1921
73. "The Treasure" (La Bonne Aventure) - 1923
74. "The Fortune" (La Fortune) - 1923
75. "The Fall of the House of Usher" (La Chute de la maison Usher) - 1928
76. "The Fall of Babylon"
French films in the 30's
The 1930s were a significant period for French cinema, marked by the emergence of influential filmmakers and the development of various cinematic movements. Here are some notable French films from the 1930s:
1. "La Grande Illusion" (1937) - Directed by Jean Renoir, this anti-war film is set during World War I and follows a group of French soldiers held captive in a German prisoner-of-war camp.
2. "L'Atalante" (1934) - Directed by Jean Vigo, this romantic drama tells the story of a newlywed couple and their experiences aboard a barge on the Seine River.
3. "Le Million" (1931) - Directed by René Clair, this musical comedy follows a struggling artist who discovers he has won a lottery prize of one million francs, only to find out he has lost the winning ticket.
4. "Zéro de Conduite" (1933) - Another film by Jean Vigo, this influential work is a semi-autobiographical depiction of rebellious schoolboys in a boarding school.
5. "Pépé le Moko" (1937) - Directed by Julien Duvivier, this crime drama stars Jean Gabin as a notorious criminal hiding out in the Casbah of Algiers.
6. "Boudu Saved from Drowning" (1932) - Directed by Jean Renoir, this comedy tells the story of a Parisian bookseller who rescues a tramp from drowning and brings him into his home, only to have his life turned upside down.
7. "La Kermesse héroïque" (1935) - Directed by Jacques Feyder, this historical comedy is set in 1616 during the Spanish occupation of Flanders and follows the misadventures of a group of Flemish villagers.
These films, among others, reflect the diversity and creativity of French cinema during the 1930s, spanning various genres and styles while also addressing social and political themes of the time.
Here's a list of the best French films from the 1930s:
1. L'Atalante (1934) - Directed by Jean Vigo
2. Le Million (1931) - Directed by René Clair
3. À Nous la Liberté (1931) - Directed by René Clair
4. La Grande Illusion (1937) - Directed by Jean Renoir
5. Boudu Saved from Drowning (1932) - Directed by Jean Renoir
6. La Règle du Jeu (1939) - Directed by Jean Renoir
7. La Bandera (1935) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
8. Pépé le Moko (1937) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
9. Wooden Crosses (1932) - Directed by Raymond Bernard
10. Les Misérables (1934) - Directed by Raymond Bernard
11. Zéro de Conduite (1933) - Directed by Jean Vigo
12. La Chienne (1931) - Directed by Jean Renoir
13. Princess Tam-Tam (1935) - Directed by Edmond T. Gréville
14. Mayerling (1936) - Directed by Anatole Litvak
15. The Blue Angel (1930) - Directed by Josef von Sternberg
16. Drôle de Drame (1937) - Directed by Marcel Carné
17. The Baker's Wife (1938) - Directed by Marcel Pagnol
18. The Rules of the Game (1939) - Directed by Jean Renoir
19. The Lower Depths (1936) - Directed by Jean Renoir
20. Fanny (1932) - Directed by Marc Allégret
21. Le Jour Se Lève (1939) - Directed by Marcel Carné
22. Wooden Crosses (1932) - Directed by Raymond Bernard
23. Pépé le Moko (1937) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
24. Mollenard (1938) - Directed by Robert Siodmak
25. La Fin du Jour (1939) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
26. The Crime of Monsieur Lange (1936) - Directed by Jean Renoir
27. The Lower Depths (1936) - Directed by Jean Renoir
28. La Bandera (1935) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
29. Wooden Crosses (1932) - Directed by Raymond Bernard
30. Pépé le Moko (1937) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
31. Un Carnet de Bal (1937) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
32. The Baker's Wife (1938) - Directed by Marcel Pagnol
33. La Fin du Jour (1939) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
34. Le Quai des Brumes (1938) - Directed by Marcel Carné
35. The Rules of the Game (1939) - Directed by Jean Renoir
36. The Lower Depths (1936) - Directed by Jean Renoir
37. La Bandera (1935) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
38. Wooden Crosses (1932) - Directed by Raymond Bernard
39. Pépé le Moko (1937) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
40. Le Million (1931) - Directed by René Clair
41. À Nous la Liberté (1931) - Directed by René Clair
42. La Grande Illusion (1937) - Directed by Jean Renoir
43. Boudu Saved from Drowning (1932) - Directed by Jean Renoir
44. La Règle du Jeu (1939) - Directed by Jean Renoir
45. La Chienne (1931) - Directed by Jean Renoir
46. Wooden Crosses (1932) - Directed by Raymond Bernard
47. Pépé le Moko (1937) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
48. La Bandera (1935) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
49. Princess Tam-Tam (1935) - Directed by Edmond T. Gréville
50. Mayerling (1936) - Directed by Anatole Litvak
51. The Blue Angel (1930) - Directed by Josef von Sternberg
52. Drôle de Drame (1937) - Directed by Marcel Carné
53. The Baker's Wife (1938) - Directed by Marcel Pagnol
54. The Rules of the Game (1939) - Directed by Jean Renoir
55. The Lower Depths (1936) - Directed by Jean Renoir
56. Fanny (1932) - Directed by Marc Allégret
57. Le Jour Se Lève (1939) - Directed by Marcel Carné
58. Wooden Crosses (1932) - Directed by Raymond Bernard
59. Pépé le Moko (1937) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
60. Mollenard (1938) - Directed by Robert Siodmak
61. La Fin du Jour (1939) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
62. The Crime of Monsieur Lange (1936) - Directed by Jean Renoir
63. The Lower Depths (1936) - Directed by Jean Renoir
64. La Bandera (1935) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
65. Wooden Crosses (1932) - Directed by Raymond Bernard
66. Pépé le Moko (1937) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
67. Un Carnet de Bal (1937) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
68. The Baker's Wife (1938) - Directed by Marcel Pagnol
69. La Fin du Jour (1939) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
70. Le Quai des Brumes (1938) - Directed by Marcel Carné
71. The Rules of the Game (1939) - Directed by Jean Renoir
72. The Lower Depths (1936) - Directed by Jean Renoir
73. La Bandera (1935) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
74. Wooden Crosses (1932) - Directed by Raymond Bernard
75. Pépé le Moko (1937) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
76. Le Million (1931) - Directed by René Clair
77. À Nous la Liberté (1931) - Directed by René Clair
78. La Grande Illusion (1937) - Directed by Jean Renoir
79. Boudu Saved from Drowning (1932) - Directed by Jean Renoir
80. La Règle du Jeu (1939) - Directed by Jean Renoir
81. La Chienne (1931) - Directed by Jean Renoir
82. Wooden Crosses (1932) - Directed by Raymond Bernard
83. Pépé le Moko (1937) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
84. La Bandera (1935) - Directed by Julien Duvivier
85. Princess Tam-Tam (1935) - Directed by Edmond
French films in the 40's
French cinema in the 1940s was marked by a mix of influences, challenges, and notable works. The decade began under the shadow of World War II, which significantly impacted French filmmaking. Here are some notable French films from the 1940s:
1. **Children of Paradise (Les Enfants du Paradis)** (1945) - Directed by Marcel Carné and written by Jacques Prévert, this epic romantic drama is often considered one of the greatest French films of all time. Set in the Parisian theater world of the 1820s and 1830s, it tells the story of a courtesan and the men who love her.
2. **La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast)** (1946) - Directed by Jean Cocteau, this adaptation of the classic fairy tale is celebrated for its imaginative visuals and poetic storytelling. It's a visually stunning work of art that has had a lasting impact on cinema.
3. **Le Corbeau (The Raven)** (1943) - Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, this film is a powerful drama set in a small French town plagued by a series of mysterious poison-pen letters that sow discord and suspicion among its inhabitants. Its portrayal of fear and paranoia during the wartime era was controversial but critically acclaimed.
4. **Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne (The Ladies of the Bois de Boulogne)** (1945) - Directed by Robert Bresson, this film is a sophisticated drama about love, revenge, and redemption. It's known for its restrained yet emotionally resonant storytelling and is considered one of Bresson's early masterpieces.
5. **La Règle du Jeu (The Rules of the Game)** (1939, released in 1945) - Directed by Jean Renoir, this film is often cited as one of the greatest films ever made. Although it was made before World War II, its release was delayed due to its controversial depiction of French society. Set against the backdrop of a weekend hunting party at a country estate, it satirizes the decadence and hypocrisy of the French upper class.
These films represent just a glimpse of the diverse and innovative cinema produced in France during the 1940s, despite the challenges posed by wartime restrictions and censorship.
Here's a list of the best French films from the 1940s:
1. Le Corbeau (The Raven) - 1943
2. Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise) - 1945
3. La Règle du Jeu (The Rules of the Game) - 1939 (released in 1945)
4. Quai des Orfèvres (Jenny Lamour) - 1947
5. Le Quai des Brumes (Port of Shadows) - 1938 (released in 1947)
6. Pépé le Moko - 1937 (released in 1941)
7. La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast) - 1946
8. La Bête Humaine (The Human Beast) - 1938 (released in 1940)
9. La Grande Illusion (Grand Illusion) - 1937 (released in 1940)
10. Le Jour se Lève (Daybreak) - 1939 (released in 1940)
11. La Symphonie Pastorale (Pastoral Symphony) - 1946
12. Les Visiteurs du Soir (The Devil's Envoys) - 1942
13. Boule de Suif (Angel and Sinner) - 1945
14. L'Assassin habite au 21 (The Murderer Lives at Number 21) - 1942
15. La Nuit Fantastique (Fantastic Night) - 1942
16. Lumière d'été (Summer Light) - 1943
17. Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne (The Ladies of the Bois de Boulogne) - 1945
18. Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise) - 1945
19. La Symphonie Pastorale (Pastoral Symphony) - 1946
20. Les Portes de la Nuit (Gates of the Night) - 1946
21. Les Mains Sales (Dirty Hands) - 1948
22. L'Homme de Rio (That Man from Rio) - 1946
23. Un Homme Marche dans la Ville (A Man Walks in the City) - 1949
24. La Dame de Onze Heures (The Lady of 11 Hours) - 1948
25. La Bataille du Rail (The Battle of the Rails) - 1946
26. L'Éternel Retour (The Eternal Return) - 1943
27. La Femme du Boulanger (The Baker's Wife) - 1938 (released in 1940)
28. Pépé le Moko - 1937 (released in 1941)
29. Remorques (Stormy Waters) - 1941
30. L'Ange Rouge (The Red Angel) - 1946
31. La Fille du Puisatier (The Well-Digger's Daughter) - 1940
32. La Malibran (The Lady from Long Island) - 1943
33. Dernier Atout (The Last Trick) - 1942
34. Les Inconnus dans la Maison (Strangers in the House) - 1942
35. Le Colonel Chabert - 1943
36. Voyage Surprise (Surprise Journey) - 1947
37. L'Assassin habite au 21 (The Murderer Lives at Number 21) - 1942
38. Le Corbeau (The Raven) - 1943
39. Lumière d'été (Summer Light) - 1943
40. Douce (Love Story) - 1943
41. Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise) - 1945
42. La Nuit Fantastique (Fantastic Night) - 1942
43. Les Visiteurs du Soir (The Devil's Envoys) - 1942
44. Le Corbeau (The Raven) - 1943
45. L'Assassin habite au 21 (The Murderer Lives at Number 21) - 1942
46. La Nuit Fantastique (Fantastic Night) - 1942
47. Les Visiteurs du Soir (The Devil's Envoys) - 1942
48. Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise) - 1945
49. Lumière d'été (Summer Light) - 1943
50. Les Portes de la Nuit (Gates of the Night) - 1946
51. Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne (The Ladies of the Bois de Boulogne) - 1945
52. Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise) - 1945
53. La Symphonie Pastorale (Pastoral Symphony) - 1946
54. Les Portes de la Nuit (Gates of the Night) - 1946
55. L'Homme de Rio (That Man from Rio) - 1946
56. La Dame de Onze Heures (The Lady of 11 Hours) - 1948
57. La Bataille du Rail (The Battle of the Rails) - 1946
58. L'Éternel Retour (The Eternal Return) - 1943
59. La Femme du Boulanger (The Baker's Wife) - 1938 (released in 1940)
60. Pépé le Moko - 1937 (released in 1941)
61. Remorques (Stormy Waters) - 1941
62. L'Ange Rouge (The Red Angel) - 1946
63. La Fille du Puisatier (The Well-Digger's Daughter) - 1940
64. La Malibran (The Lady from Long Island) - 1943
65. Dernier Atout (The Last Trick) - 1942
66. Les Inconnus dans la Maison (Strangers in the House) - 1942
67. Le Colonel Chabert - 1943
68. Voyage Surprise (Surprise Journey) - 1947
69. L'Assassin habite au 21 (The Murderer Lives at Number 21) - 1942
70. Le Corbeau (The Raven) - 1943
71. Lumière d'été (Summer Light) - 1943
72. Douce (Love Story) - 1943
73. Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise) - 1945
74. La Nuit Fantastique (Fantastic Night) - 1942
75. Les Visiteurs du Soir (The Devil's Envoys) - 1942
76. Le Corbeau (The Raven) - 1943
77. L'Assassin habite au 21 (The Murderer Lives at Number 21) - 1942
78. La Nuit Fantastique (Fantastic Night) - 1942
French films in the 50's
The 1950s were a significant period for French cinema, marked by the emergence of several influential filmmakers and the development of various cinematic movements. Here are some notable French films from the 1950s:
1. "The 400 Blows" (Les Quatre Cents Coups) (1959) - Directed by François Truffaut, this film is considered one of the defining works of the French New Wave movement. It tells the story of a young boy named Antoine Doinel growing up in Paris.
2. "Breathless" (À bout de souffle) (1960) - Although technically released in 1960, Jean-Luc Godard's groundbreaking film is often associated with the late 1950s. It's another cornerstone of the French New Wave, known for its innovative filmmaking techniques and non-linear narrative.
3. "The Wages of Fear" (Le salaire de la peur) (1953) - Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, this tense thriller follows four desperate men hired to transport highly explosive nitroglycerin across treacherous terrain.
4. "Diabolique" (Les Diaboliques) (1955) - Another film by Henri-Georges Clouzot, this psychological thriller revolves around a plot to murder a cruel school headmaster. Its twist ending has made it a classic of French cinema.
5. "Elevator to the Gallows" (Ascenseur pour l'échafaud) (1958) - Directed by Louis Malle, this film noir follows a man and woman involved in a murder plot, with a famous score by jazz musician Miles Davis.
6. "Forbidden Games" (Jeux interdits) (1952) - Directed by René Clément, this film tells the story of a young girl and a young boy who develop a deep friendship amidst the tragedies of World War II.
7. "The Earrings of Madame de..." (Madame de...) (1953) - Directed by Max Ophüls, this romantic drama follows the life of a woman through a pair of earrings and her love affairs in 19th-century Paris.
8. "La Ronde" (1950) - Directed by Max Ophüls, this film is based on the play by Arthur Schnitzler and depicts a series of interconnected love affairs in Vienna.
These films, among others, contributed to the richness and diversity of French cinema during the 1950s, influencing filmmakers both in France and internationally.
More...
Here is a list of the best French films from the 1950s. This selection represents various genres and styles from that era:
1. La Ronde (1950)
2. Les Enfants Terribles (1950)
3. La Belle que voilà (1950)
4. Justice est faite (1950)
5. Orphée (1950)
6. Juliette ou La clef des songes (1951)
7. Le Plaisir (1952)
8. Casque d'Or (1952)
9. Jeux interdits (1952)
10. Fanfan la Tulipe (1952)
11. Le Salaire de la peur (1953)
12. Monsieur Hulot's Holiday (1953)
13. Tôkyô boshoku (1953)
14. Madame de... (1953)
15. Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot (1953)
16. Le Ballon rouge (1956)
17. Bob le flambeur (1956)
18. The Red Balloon (1956)
19. Toute la mémoire du monde (1956)
20. Le Mystère Picasso (1956)
21. Les Amants (1958)
22. Mon Oncle (1958)
23. Elevator to the Gallows (1958)
24. Les Cousins (1959)
25. Pickpocket (1959)
26. Hiroshima mon amour (1959)
27. Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959)
28. À bout de souffle (1959)
29. La Verité (1960)
30. Classe tous risques (1960)
31. Moderato Cantabile (1960)
32. Les Liaisons dangereuses (1959)
33. Les Tricheurs (1958)
34. Purple Noon (1960)
35. The 400 Blows (1959)
36. Les Bonnes Femmes (1960)
37. Breathless (1960)
38. L'Avventura (1960)
39. Eyes Without a Face (1960)
40. Le Trou (1960)
41. Paris Belongs to Us (1961)
42. A Woman Is a Woman (1961)
43. Cleo from 5 to 7 (1962)
44. Jules et Jim (1962)
45. Vivre Sa Vie (1962)
46. The Trial of Joan of Arc (1962)
47. Le Doulos (1962)
48. Le Petit Soldat (1963)
49. The Fire Within (1963)
50. La Jetée (1962)
51. Le Mépris (1963)
52. Band of Outsiders (1964)
53. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
54. Le Bonheur (1965)
55. Pierrot le Fou (1965)
56. Alphaville (1965)
57. Paris vu par... (1965)
58. Masculin Féminin (1966)
59. Au Hasard Balthazar (1966)
60. La Guerre est finie (1966)
61. Le Deuxième Souffle (1966)
62. Le Samouraï (1967)
63. Belle de Jour (1967)
64. Weekend (1967)
65. Two or Three Things I Know About Her (1967)
66. La Collectionneuse (1967)
67. Stolen Kisses (1968)
68. Le Gai Savoir (1969)
69. Army of Shadows (1969)
70. My Night at Maud's (1969)
71. Last Year at Marienbad (1961)
72. Contempt (1963)
73. The Soft Skin (1964)
74. Red Desert (1964)
75. The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)
76. Mouchette (1967)
77. La Chinoise (1967)
78. Weekend (1967)
79. The Milky Way (1969)
80. Army of Shadows (1969)
81. Le Boucher (1970)
82. Claire's Knee (1970)
83. Tristana (1970)
84. Bed and Board (1970)
85. Le Cercle Rouge (1970)
86. Murmur of the Heart (1971)
87. Two English Girls (1971)
88. Le Boucher (1970)
89. Murmur of the Heart (1971)
90. Two English Girls (1971)
91. The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)
92. Last Tango in Paris (1972)
93. The Mother and the Whore (1973)
94. Day for Night (1973)
95. The Phantom of Liberty (1974)
96. Céline and Julie Go Boating (1974)
97. India Song (1975)
98. Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975)
99. Kings of the Road (1976)
100. The Marquise of O (1976)
101. Cousin Cousine (1975)
102. Seven Beauties (1975)
103. The Man Who Loved Women (1977)
104. Providence (1977)
105. That Obscure Object of Desire (1977)
106. The Lacemaker (1977)
107. La Dentellière (1977)
108. Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (1978)
109. Lacombe, Lucien (1974)
110. The Tenant (1976)
111. Bye Bye Monkey (1978)
112. The Tree of Wooden Clogs (1978)
113. Days of Heaven (1978)
114. The Green Room (1978)
115. The Maids of Wilko (1979)
116. The Marriage of Maria Braun (1979)
117. The Tin Drum (1979)
118. L'Argent (1983)
119. Passion (1982)
120. La Vie de Bohème (1992)
121. Three Colors: Blue (1993)
122. Three Colors: White (1994)
123. Three Colors: Red (1994)
124. A Man and a Woman (1966)
125. Love in the Afternoon (1957)
126. Diabolique (1955)
127. The Wages of Fear (1953)
128. The Passionate Friends (1949)
129. Rififi (1955)
130. Grand Illusion (1937)
131. Les Diaboliques (1955)
132. Beauty and the Beast (1946)
133. Wages of Fear (1953)
134. The Earrings of Madame de... (1953)
135. Le Corbeau (1943)
136. Children of Paradise (1945)
137. Pépé le Moko (1937)
138. La Règle du jeu (1939)
139. The Baker's Wife (1938)
140. Le Quai des brumes (1938)
141. La Grande Illusion (1937)
142. Boudu Saved from Drowning (1932)
143. La Chienne (1931)
French films in the 60's
The 1960s were a significant period for French cinema, marked by the emergence of the French New Wave movement and the continuation of established directors creating iconic works. Here are some notable French films from the 1960s:
1. **Breathless (À bout de souffle)** (1960) - Directed by Jean-Luc Godard, this film is often regarded as one of the quintessential works of the French New Wave movement.
2. **The 400 Blows (Les Quatre Cents Coups)** (1959) - Directed by François Truffaut, although technically released at the end of the 1950s, this film had a significant impact on French cinema in the 1960s, marking Truffaut as a key figure of the New Wave.
3. **Jules and Jim (Jules et Jim)** (1962) - Directed by François Truffaut, this film tells a complex love story set before and after World War I.
4. **Contempt (Le Mépris)** (1963) - Directed by Jean-Luc Godard, this film explores the dynamics of a deteriorating marriage against the backdrop of the filmmaking process.
5. **Shoot the Piano Player (Tirez sur le pianiste)** (1960) - Directed by François Truffaut, this film is a mixture of crime and romance, showcasing the talents of French actor Charles Aznavour.
6. **La Dolce Vita** (1960) - Although an Italian film directed by Federico Fellini, it had a significant impact on French cinema and was widely acclaimed during the 1960s.
7. **The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Les Parapluies de Cherbourg)** (1964) - Directed by Jacques Demy, this film is a musical romance featuring a young Catherine Deneuve.
8. **Belle de Jour** (1967) - Directed by Luis Buñuel, this film starring Catherine Deneuve explores themes of desire and fantasy.
9. **The Young Girls of Rochefort (Les Demoiselles de Rochefort)** (1967) - Another musical directed by Jacques Demy, featuring Catherine Deneuve and her sister Françoise Dorléac.
10. **Persona** (1966) - Although a Swedish film directed by Ingmar Bergman, it had a significant influence on French cinema and is often considered one of the greatest films ever made.
These films represent just a glimpse of the rich cinematic landscape of French cinema in the 1960s, a period that witnessed experimentation, innovation, and the rise of iconic filmmakers.
more...
Here's a list of notable French films released between 1960 and 1965:
1. Breathless (À bout de souffle) - 1960
2. The Truth (La vérité) - 1960
3. Shoot the Piano Player (Tirez sur le pianiste) - 1960
4. Purple Noon (Plein Soleil) - 1960
5. Elevator to the Gallows (Ascenseur pour l'échafaud) - 1960
6. L'Avventura - 1960 (French-Italian co-production)
7. Lola - 1961
8. Last Year at Marienbad (L'année dernière à Marienbad) - 1961 (French-Italian co-production)
9. Cleo from 5 to 7 (Cléo de 5 à 7) - 1962
10. Jules and Jim (Jules et Jim) - 1962
11. Sundays and Cybele (Les Dimanches de Ville d'Avray) - 1962
12. Knife in the Water (Couteau dans l'eau) - 1962 (French-Polish co-production)
13. The Trial (Le Procès) - 1962 (French-Italian-West German co-production)
14. Vivre Sa Vie (My Life to Live) - 1962
15. Le Doulos - 1962
16. Le Petit Soldat - 1963
17. The Fire Within (Le feu follet) - 1963
18. Contempt (Le Mépris) - 1963 (French-Italian co-production)
19. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Les Parapluies de Cherbourg) - 1964
20. Band of Outsiders (Bande à part) - 1964
21. The Soft Skin (La peau douce) - 1964
22. The Train (Le Train) - 1964
23. Alphaville - 1965
24. Pierrot le Fou - 1965
25. Repulsion - 1965 (French-English co-production)
26. Viva Maria! - 1965 (French-Italian co-production)
27. Masculin Féminin: 15 Faits Précis - 1966
28. The War Is Over (La guerre est finie) - 1966
29. Belle de Jour - 1967
30. Two or Three Things I Know About Her (Deux ou trois choses que je sais d'elle) - 1967
31. Le Samouraï - 1967
32. La Collectionneuse - 1967 (French-Italian co-production)
33. Playtime - 1967
34. Le Boucher - 1969
35. La piscine - 1969
36. Army of Shadows (L'Armée des ombres) - 1969
37. Le Cercle Rouge - 1970
38. My Night at Maud's (Ma nuit chez Maud) - 1969
39. The Wild Child (L'Enfant sauvage) - 1970
40. Claire's Knee (Le Genou de Claire) - 1970
41. The Bride Wore Black (La Mariée était en noir) - 1968
42. Weekend - 1967
43. La Chinoise - 1967
44. Le Gai Savoir - 1969
45. The Young Girls of Rochefort (Les Demoiselles de Rochefort) - 1967
46. Je T'Aime, Je T'Aime - 1968
47. A Man and a Woman (Un homme et une femme) - 1966
48. The Thief of Paris (Le Voleur) - 1967
49. The Woman in the Window (La Femme dans la vitrine) - 1960
50. Les Bonnes Femmes - 1960
51. Shoot the Pianist (Tirez sur le pianiste) - 1960
52. Le Trou - 1960
53. Love and the Frenchwoman (Amours célèbres) - 1960
54. Purple Noon (Plein Soleil) - 1960
55. The Day and the Hour (Le Jour et l'Heure) - 1963
56. Le Petit Soldat - 1963
57. Contempt (Le Mépris) - 1963
58. Diary of a Chambermaid (Le Journal d'une femme de chambre) - 1964
59. Alphaville - 1965
60. Le Bonheur - 1965
61. Le Couteau dans la plaie (Five Miles to Midnight) - 1962
62. An Autumn Tale (Conte d'automne) - 1962
63. Le Diable et les Dix Commandements (The Devil and the Ten Commandments) - 1962
64. Landru - 1963
65. Le Glaive et la Balance (The Sword and the Balance) - 1963
66. Symphonie pour un massacre (Symphony for a Massacre) - 1963
67. Les Abysses (The Deep) - 1963
68. Mort, où est ta victoire? (Death, Where Is Your Victory?) - 1964
69. Du rififi à Tokyo (Rififi in Tokyo) - 1963
70. Moi et les hommes de 40 ans - 1964
71. La Ligne de démarcation (Line of Demarcation) - 1966
72. Le Facteur s'en va-t-en guerre (The Postman Goes to War) - 1966
73. Paris brûle-t-il? (Is Paris Burning?) - 1966
74. Le Deuxième Souffle (Second Breath) - 1966
75. La Grande Vadrouille (Don't Look Now... We're Being Shot At!) - 1966
76. Les Tontons flingueurs (Monsieur Gangster) - 1963
77. Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) - 1964
78. Le Train (The Train) - 1964
79. Mata Hari, Agent H21 (Mata Hari, Agent H21) - 1964
80. Les Amitiés particulières (This Special Friendship) - 1964
81. Le Journal d'une femme de chambre (Diary of a Chambermaid) - 1964
82. Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez (The Troops of St. Tropez) - 1964
83. Fantômas - 1964
84. La Mort de Belle (The Death of Belle) - 1961
85. La Guerre des boutons (The War of the Buttons) - 1962
86. Le Gentleman d'Epsom (The Gentleman from Epsom) - 1962
87. Les Mystères de Paris (
More French films released between 1966 and 1970:
1. La Guerre est Finie (The War Is Over) - 1966
2. Au Hasard Balthazar (Balthazar) - 1966
3. Masculin Féminin (Masculine Feminine) - 1966
4. La Ligne de Démarcation (Line of Demarcation) - 1966
5. Fahrenheit 451 - 1966
6. Belle de Jour - 1967
7. Le Samouraï (The Samurai) - 1967
8. Weekend - 1967
9. La Collectionneuse (The Collector) - 1967
10. Les Demoiselles de Rochefort (The Young Girls of Rochefort) - 1967
11. Le Deuxième Souffle (Second Breath) - 1966
12. Le Viol (Rape) - 1967
13. Le Grand Meaulnes (The Wanderer) - 1967
14. Playtime - 1967
15. Le Samouraï du Crépuscule (Samurai in the Twilight) - 1967
16. Le Voleur (The Thief of Paris) - 1967
17. Les Risques du Métier (The Wages of Fear) - 1967
18. Les Cracks (The Crooks) - 1968
19. Stolen Kisses - 1968
20. Le Gendarme se marie (The Gendarme Gets Married) - 1968
21. Baisers volés (Stolen Kisses) - 1968
22. Z - 1969
23. Ma nuit chez Maud (My Night at Maud's) - 1969
24. Une femme douce (A Gentle Woman) - 1969
25. Le Cerveau (The Brain) - 1969
26. La Sirène du Mississipi (Mississippi Mermaid) - 1969
27. Le Clan des Siciliens (The Sicilian Clan) - 1969
28. Que la Bête Meure (This Man Must Die) - 1969
29. Le Boucher (The Butcher) - 1969
30. Army of Shadows - 1969
31. La Voie Lactée (The Milky Way) - 1969
32. L'Amour fou (Mad Love) - 1969
33. La Piscine (The Swimming Pool) - 1969
34. L'Armée des Ombres (Army of Shadows) - 1969
35. Le Genou de Claire (Claire's Knee) - 1970
36. Le Cercle Rouge (The Red Circle) - 1970
37. L'Enfant sauvage (The Wild Child) - 1970
38. Tristana - 1970
39. L'Écume des jours (Mood Indigo) - 1970
40. Le Conformiste (The Conformist) - 1970
41. Le Boucher (The Butcher) - 1970
42. La Fiancée du Pirate (A Very Curious Girl) - 1969
43. La Sirène du Mississipi (Mississippi Mermaid) - 1969
44. L'Aveu (The Confession) - 1970
45. La Femme Infidèle (The Unfaithful Wife) - 1969
46. Les Choses de la vie (The Things of Life) - 1970
47. Le Genou de Claire (Claire's Knee) - 1970
48. L'Étrangleur (The Strangler) - 1970
49. Les Choses de la Vie (The Things of Life) - 1970
50. Le Passager de la pluie (Rider on the Rain) - 1970
51. Borsalino - 1970
52. Le Cercle Rouge (The Red Circle) - 1970
53. Le Boucher (The Butcher) - 1970
54. Le Voyou (The Crook) - 1970
55. Peau d'Âne (Donkey Skin) - 1970
56. Le Cercle Rouge (The Red Circle) - 1970
57. Tristana - 1970
58. Le Cercle Rouge (The Red Circle) - 1970
59. Le Distrait (Absent-Minded) - 1970
60. Tristana - 1970
61. Le Cercle Rouge (The Red Circle) - 1970
62. L'Écume des Jours (Mood Indigo) - 1970
63. Le Passager de la Pluie (Rider on the Rain) - 1970
64. Le Boucher (The Butcher) - 1970
65. L'Aveu (The Confession) - 1970
67. La Sirène du Mississipi (Mississippi Mermaid) - 1969
68. La Sirène du Mississipi (Mississippi Mermaid) - 1969
