En Cas de Malheur

Considering she was operating at a time of such constraint, when 24 frames of exposed nipple constituted at least a month's ration of cinematic erotica, it's surprising how potent a sexual presence the vintage Bardot remains 40 years on. She's offset here by Gabin at his most world-weary and Autant-Lara at his most sardonic: when the director finally permits the audience to ogle BB's bare breasts, they're soaked in blood, after she's been butchered by a deranged ex-lover (a shot widely censored at the time). Essentially this is bourgeois nightmare - successful lawyer seduced away from marriage and career by proletarian pussy - but presented non-judgementally and with icy control.