Story Overview

And God Created Woman (original title: Et Dieu... créa la femme) is a groundbreaking 1956 French romantic drama directed by Roger Vadim and starring Brigitte Bardot in the role that transformed her into an international sensation. Although not her first screen appearance, the film marked the explosive emergence of Bardot as a symbol of liberated sexuality, redefining female representation in post-war European cinema. It also represented Vadim’s directorial debut, launching a career closely associated with sensuality and modern femininity on screen.

Upon its release in the United States in 1957 by Kingsley-International Pictures, the film stirred controversy for its provocative portrayal of desire and youthful sexuality. American prints were heavily edited to comply with the Hays Code censorship standards, yet the film still challenged prevailing norms about morality and female autonomy in mainstream cinema.

Set in the sun-drenched coastal town of Saint-Tropez, France, the story follows Juliette, an uninhibited 18-year-old orphan whose carefree sensuality unsettles the conservative provincial community around her. Barefoot and unapologetically free-spirited, Juliette disregards social conventions and openly embraces her desires. Her behavior attracts the attention of many local men while provoking resentment among the town’s women, who view her as a disruptive force.

Juliette becomes entangled with the wealthy and significantly older Eric Carradine, who promises her material luxuries while pursuing his own ambitions. Carradine intends to establish a casino in Saint-Tropez, but his plans are obstructed by a small family-owned shipyard occupying the land he requires. As romantic rivalries, social hypocrisy, and youthful passion collide, the film unfolds as a provocative examination of desire, possessiveness, and the fragile moral codes of a traditional society confronted with modern sexuality.