GREAT CINEMAMASTER LIST
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Search 713 spoiler-free recommendations from 1916 to 2026. Filter by the night you want—not the list you’re supposed to finish.

Direct film viewShowing master rank #606 on its own—not above the ranking.
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DirectorAll directors

Most represented · 6+ films

More recurring directors · 3–5 films54
All directors · surname A–Z438
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1 selected film

Master Rank balances Greatness, Engagement, and Ease. Sort by Greatness for the artistic-canon view.

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View The Umbrellas of Cherbourg film page
Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

Two young lovers face separation when the man is called away for military service.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

Cherbourg umbrella-shop worker Geneviève and mechanic Guy plan to marry, but his military service in Algeria separates them. Pregnancy, letters, family finances, and jeweler Roland Cassard's proposal force decisions while Michel Legrand's sung dialogue carries every exchange.

Why it belongs

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg makes ordinary compromise operatic through wall-to-wall song, candy color, seasonal ellipsis, and Deneuve's luminous but practical Geneviève.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

The saturated design deepens rather than denies melancholy. Patterned wallpaper, rain, shop windows, train departure, garage work, snow, and Michel Legrand's recurring melodies make time visibly and musically transformative.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Cannes2 wins1964 · official festival record ↗
Palme d'Or / Grand Prix1964 · Jacques Demyofficial festival record ↗

Plus 1 additional win

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for
Film Club
Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

Institutional reference ranks

Sight & Sound122IMDb Top 250—AFI 100—
Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score

Great Cinema Master List scores

Greatness9.3
Engagement7.3
Ease6.2

French · Not Rated
Narrative Feature
Mood: Romantic & Reflective