*And God Created Woman*

*And God Created Woman*
Title	And God Created Woman
Director	Roger Vadim
Producer	Raoul Lévy
Writer	Roger Vadim, Raoul Lévy
Starring	Brigitte Bardot, Curd Jürgens, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Christian Marquand
Music	Paul Misraki
Cinematography	Armand Thirard
Editing	Victoria Mercanton
Studio	Iéna Productions, Cocinor
Distributor	Cinédis
Released	1956
Runtime	95 minutes
Country	France
Language	French

*And God Created Woman* is a 1956 French drama film directed by Roger Vadim and starring Brigitte Bardot in her breakthrough role. The film, produced by Raoul Lévy, is widely credited with launching Bardot to international stardom and became a landmark in the French New Wave for its frank sensuality. Its depiction of a free-spirited young woman in Saint-Tropez challenged contemporary cinematic conventions and ignited significant controversy upon release.

Plot

The story centers on Juliette Hardy, a beautiful and amoral orphan living in the coastal town of Saint-Tropez. Residing with a foster family, her hedonistic lifestyle and open sexuality scandalize the local community. To avoid being sent back to an orphanage, she marries the shy younger brother, Michel Tardieu, of a man she is truly attracted to, the older Antoine Tardieu. The plot follows the ensuing love triangle and marital strife, culminating in Juliette's dramatic pursuit by both brothers and the wealthy older businessman Eric Carradine, who also desires her. The film's climax underscores the conflict between bourgeois respectability and untamed desire.

Cast

The film features a cast that would become iconic in European cinema. Brigitte Bardot stars as the protagonist, Juliette Hardy, a role that defined her public persona. Curd Jürgens portrays the wealthy industrialist Eric Carradine, while Jean-Louis Trintignant plays the gentle Michel Tardieu. Christian Marquand appears as the elder brother, Antoine Tardieu. The supporting cast includes Jane Marken as Madame Morin, Jean Tissier as Monsieur Vigier-Lefranc, and Isabelle Corey as Lucienne. The ensemble effectively brought Roger Vadim's vision of provincial France to life.

Production

The film was produced by Iéna Productions, a company founded by Raoul Lévy, who also co-wrote the screenplay with director Roger Vadim. Vadim, then married to Bardot, crafted the project specifically to showcase her talent and sensuality. Filming took place on location in Saint-Tropez, utilizing the vibrant scenery and light captured by cinematographer Armand Thirard. The score was composed by Paul Misraki, and the editing was handled by Victoria Mercanton. The production faced challenges due to its risqué content and Bardot's status as a relative newcomer, but Vadim's direction and the CinemaScope format created a visually striking work.

Release

*And God Created Woman* premiered in France in 1956, distributed by Cinédis. Its international release followed, with significant distribution in the United States where it was initially heavily censored. The film's notoriety, particularly for scenes featuring Brigitte Bardot sunbathing nude, led to battles with censorship boards like the Legion of Decency and fueled its box office success. It played a major role in popularizing Saint-Tropez as a jet-set destination and was a financial hit, establishing Raoul Lévy and Roger Vadim as major forces in commercial European cinema.

Reception

Initial critical reception was polarized; many contemporary reviewers condemned the film for its perceived amorality and sexual content. However, it was championed by some critics for its visual style and as a sign of changing social mores. The performance of Brigitte Bardot was the focal point of most reviews, with her portrayal of Juliette Hardy hailed as a star-making turn. Commercially, it was a sensation, breaking box office records in Europe and becoming a major success in the United States, despite—or because of—the controversy. It competed at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival, further cementing its cultural impact.

Legacy

The film's legacy is profound, solidifying Brigitte Bardot as an international sex symbol and a defining icon of the 1950s. It is considered a pivotal precursor to the French New Wave, influencing directors like François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard with its location shooting and relaxed morality. The film helped dismantle the restrictive Motion Picture Production Code in Hollywood by proving the commercial viability of adult-themed foreign films. A 1988 remake starring Rebecca De Mornay was directed by Roger Vadim, though it did not achieve the same cultural resonance. The original remains a landmark in the history of film censorship and the depiction of female sexuality on screen.

Category:1956 films Category:French films Category:French New Wave