5 Brigitte Bardot films to re-watch as the legendary actress passes away

For decades, Brigitte Bardot has been one of the biggest influences on French cinema and pop culture, as the actress reshaped the industry with her roles that were modern, sensual and defiant of convention.

Known for her often provocative roles on screen, she led the sexual revolution of French cinema and altered how the audience perceives female stardom and the depiction of sensuality on screen. As she passes away at 91, her legacy as one of French finest actresses is cherished and loved. Here are five films you should watch that capture Brigitte Bardot's range on screen and how she changed French cinema forever.

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And God Created Woman

In And God Created Woman, Brigitte Bardot plays Juliette Hardy, an eighteen-year-old orphan in Saint-Tropez whose refusal to give in to societal norms unsettles everyone around her. Directed by Roger Vadim, the film follows Juliette’s entanglements with three brothers, a wealthy older lover, and a town determined to control her behavior.

Released in 1956, it became a massive international hit, broke box office records, and ignited censorship battles in the United States. More than a scandal, the film launched Bardot into global stardom and reshaped how sexuality and female independence were portrayed on screen.

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The Truth

French film La Vérité, translated into English as The Truth saw Brigitte Bardot deliver one of the most demanding performances of her career as Dominique Marceau, a woman who is placed under cruel public scrutiny. The film unfolds through courtroom proceedings and flashbacks that trace Dominique’s relationships, independence, and social alienation.

Throughout the film, Bardot shines as the protagonist, placed under judgment as her life unfolds before her in stories and courtroom witnesses. The film was one of the biggest box office successes of her career, and went on to be nominated for an Oscar.

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Viva Maria!

Shifting gears, in 1965, Brigitte Bardot starred in Viva Maria! an adventure comedy film that she starred in opposite Jeanne Moreau. The film follows both the women as they share the same name Maria, and become revolutionaries in Central America.

Shot in Eastman Color and filmed largely in Mexico, the film blends circus performance, political rebellion, and musical spectacle across multiple languages. Bardot, who plays an Irish anarchist, earned a BAFTA nomination for her role in the film, as it received commercial success throughout the world.

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Le Mépris

Le Mépris, translated into English as Contempt stars Brigitte Bardot as Camille Javal, a woman whose marriage slowly collapses under the making of Homer's The Odyssey. Directed by Jean-Luc Godard, the film turns a troubled production into a study of miscommunication, power, and emotional withdrawal.

Shot across Rome and Capri, including the iconic Casa Malaparte, Contempt blends marital drama with meta commentary on filmmaking, commerce, and artistic compromise. It is one of the most loved European films, making it's way to several lists that praise it for it's acting, direction and how it explores the dynamics of filmmaking.

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The Bear and the Doll

In L'Ours et la Poupée, translated into English as The Bear and the Doll, Brigitte Bardot plays the role of Félicia, a wealthy Parisian socialite whose life collides with that of a reserved country musician over the course of a single chaotic day. The romantic comedy leans into screwball traditions, reversing power dynamics as Félicia aggressively pursues Jean-Pierre Cassel’s reluctant Gaspard.

The film was heavily inspired by American screwball comedies, and highlights Bardot's range as a comedy actress.