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Raoul Coutard

Raoul Coutard

Cinematographer, also actor and director · Died November 8, 2016, aged 92 · Paris, France

Raoul Coutard (16 September 1924 – 8 November 2016) was a French cinematographer. He is best known for his connection with the Nouvelle Vague period and particularly for his work with director Jean-Luc Godard. Coutard also shot films for New Wave director François Truffaut as well as Jacques Demy, a contemporary frequently associated with the movement. He shot over 75 films during a career that lasted nearly half a century. Coutard originally planned to study chemistry, but switched to photography because of the cost of tuition. In 1945, Coutard was sent to participate in the French Indochina War; he lived in Vietnam for the next 11 years, working as a war photographer, eventually becoming a freelancer for Paris Match and Look. In 1956, he was approached to shoot a film by Pierre Schoendoerffer, La Passe du Diable. Coutard had never used a movie camera before, and reportedly agreed to the job because of a misunderstanding (he believed he was being hired to shoot production stills of the film). Coutard's first work collaboration with Jean-Luc Godard was Godard's first feature, À bout de souffle, shot in 1959. He was reportedly "imposed" on Godard by producer Georges de Beauregard; the director had already settled on a different cinematographer. Coutard photographed nearly all of Godard's work in the Nouvelle Vague era (1959 - 1967), with the exception of Masculin, féminin; their last work during this period was Week-end (1967), which marked the end of Godard's work as a 'mainstream' filmmaker. The two did not work together again until Passion; their final collaboration was Godard's next feature, Prénom Carmen. ... Source: Article "Raoul Coutard" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 16, 1924
Died
November 8, 2016 (aged 92)
From
Paris, France
Works as
Cinematographer, also actor and director
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 78 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Up 8% in 30 days

What are Raoul Coutard's films like?

Across their 33 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Genres

Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 89th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 82nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 91st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 3rd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
23%
Morality
19%
Bonds
19%
Power
18%
Ideas
8%
Survival
8%
Society
5%
Romantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose8 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom7 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed4 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 33 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 6 · Wry 9 · Earnest 17

Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 11 · Serious 10 · Dark 12

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 8 · Stylized 13 · Heightened 12

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 22 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 14 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 6

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 20 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 6

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 19 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 17 · Full focus 12

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 11 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 9

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 14 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 18

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Melancholic
16
Absurd
12
Contemplative
10
Bittersweet
7
Other
26

How their films linger

Thought-provoking20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic11
  • Ambiguous8

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Raoul Coutard's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 19 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Raoul Coutard's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

78 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page; 11 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Wild Palms (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Cinematographer

  • The Outskirts of Alphaville (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Wild Innocence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Cinematographer

  • The Phantom Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Cinematographer

  • Happiness Is No Joke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Cinematographer

  • The Birth of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Cinematographer

  • Bethune: The Making of a Hero(1990)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Il gèle en enfer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Cinematographer

  • Thick Skinned (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Cinematographer

  • Ne réveillez pas un flic qui dort(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Burning Beds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Cinematographer

  • Blanc de Chine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Cinematographer

  • Max My Love(1986)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Parachute (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Cinematographer

  • The Bitch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Cinematographer

  • Dangerous Moves(1984)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Salt on the Skin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Cinematographer

  • First Name: Carmen(1983)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • S.A.S. San Salvador(1982)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Godard's Passion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Cinematographer

  • Operation Leopard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Director

  • Le Crabe-Tambour(1977)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Le Défilé du 14 Juillet 1977 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Director · Writer

  • Une nuit en Lorraine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director

  • Like a Pot of Strawberries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Cinematographer

  • A Pain in the Ass(1973)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Hostage Gang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Cinematographer

  • Five Leaf Clover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Cinematographer

  • Embassy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Cinematographer

  • The Hideout(1971)

    Cinematographer · Actor

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Most Gentle Confessions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Cinematographer

  • La Liberté en croupe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Cinematographer

  • The Bamboo Incident (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director · Adaptation · as Angry French man (uncredited)

  • The Confession(1970)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Southern Star (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Cinematographer

  • Z(1969)

    Cinematographer · as English Surgeon (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Rocky Road to Dublin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer

  • The Bride Wore Black(1968)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Weekend(1967)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Chinese(1967)

    Cinematographer · as Self - Cinematographer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Horizon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Cinematographer

  • 2 or 3 Things I Know About Her(1967)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Made in U.S.A(1966)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Sailor from Gibraltar(1967)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Defector(1966)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Pierrot le fou(1965)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Alphaville(1965)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Botanical Avatar of Mademoiselle Flora (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Cinematographer

  • The 317th Platoon(1965)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Scruggs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Cinematographer

  • A Married Woman(1964)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Male Companion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Cinematographer

  • Le Grand Escroc (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Cinematographer

  • The World's Most Beautiful Swindlers(1964)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Band of Outsiders(1964)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Soft Skin(1964)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Contempt(1963)

    Cinematographer · as Cameraman

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Portuguese Vacation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Cinematographer

  • The Carabineers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Cinematographer

  • Like Two Drops of Water (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Cinematographer

  • Le Petit Soldat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Cinematographer

  • The Doll (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Cinematographer

  • And Satan Calls the Turns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Camera Operator · Cinematographer

  • My Life to Live(1962)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Antoine and Colette (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Cinematographer

  • Love at Twenty(1962)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Jules and Jim(1962)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Petit Jour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Cinematographer

  • Chronicle of a Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Cinematographer

  • A Woman Is a Woman(1961)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Lola(1961)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Time Out for Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Cinematographer

  • Shoot the Piano Player(1960)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Army Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Cinematographer

  • Breathless(1960)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Devil's Pass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Cinematographer

  • Island Fisherman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Cinematographer

  • Ramuntcho (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Cinematographer

Career shape

A full career of 78 titles from 1958 to 2025.

Biggest box office

Dangerous Moves (1984)

$2.5M worldwide

Highest rated

Z (1969)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Breathless (1960)

Film career

  • 1963Screen debut· Contempt

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting5 of 78: 2 only acting, 3 with another roleDirecting5 of 78: 3 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting2 of 78: 0 only writing, 2 with another roleCinematography71 of 78: 68 only cinematography, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score83rdOther crew1 of 78: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

78 titles, 5 with more than one role — cinematography and acting overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1950s3 · crew1960s41 · 2 acting · 41 crew1970s13 · 2 acting · 12 crew1980s13 · crew1990s5 · crew2000s2 · 1 acting · 1 crew2020s1 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Raoul Coutard's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 83rd percentile, the median of all 33; across their 33 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 83rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

83rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Approval · how many liked their films

82ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Reach · how many have seen their films

83rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up21
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 33 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor, cinematographer

The Hideout (1971)

76th percentile spread · 55% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, cinematographer

Z (1969)

Midcredits 98th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 78/100 in their films, across 29 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 59. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Raoul Coutard's work okay for kids?

Across up to 14 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles29–79 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity14 titles25–53 · median 46 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles13–45 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles30–48 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles17–57 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Raoul Coutard work with?

People who share at least 2 of Raoul Coutard's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jean-Luc Godard shares the most, 15.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles