The First Actress to Wear a Bikini on Screen

French superstar Brigitte Bardot made history by being the first actress to wear a bikini on screen in the 1952 French film Manina, la fille sans voiles, later retitled The Girl in the Bikini in English. This moment became a significant milestone in cinematic history.

 Movie Details and Production  

- Title: Manina, la fille sans voiles (French), The Girl in the Bikini (English)  

- Release Year: 1952  

- Director: Willy Rozier, a French filmmaker known for his work, though not highly acclaimed  

- Production: Athos Films, a small-scale French film company  

- Lead Actor: Jean-François Calvé, a French actor who did not gain much recognition after this film  

- Music Composer: Marcel Bianchi, a composer who contributed to various French films  

 Plot and the Bikini Scene  

The film is a romantic drama in which Brigitte Bardot plays the role of Manina, a young woman whose story revolves around her relationship with her lover. A significant portion of the film is set by the sea, where Manina, an experienced diver, shares screen time with her father, engaging in underwater sequences. In several scenes, Bardot is seen wearing a bikini, making it one of the boldest cinematic moments of its time.

The bikini was introduced by French designer Louis Réard in 1946, but wearing it in public was still rare in the early 1950s. Bardot appeared in bikini-clad sequences both while diving and walking along the beach, making it a central attraction of the film. The scenes were shot along the Mediterranean coast of France, further highlighting Bardot’s beauty.

In the 1950s, wearing a bikini was not widely accepted by society. Conservative norms in Europe and the United States saw the bikini as daring and even scandalous. When Bardot wore it in the film, she faced significant backlash. Some critics condemned it as a violation of cultural values, and certain conservative groups in France attempted to ban the film. Ironically, the controversy helped the movie gain publicity.

Bardot herself experienced discomfort and pressure during filming, as she was only 18 years old at the time. Being in a bikini in public led to moments of awkwardness, but she handled it with confidence. Later, in 1953, when Bardot appeared in a bikini at the Cannes Film Festival, similar debates arose—but this helped her rise to international fame.

 Success and Impact  

Though Manina, la fille sans voiles had moderate commercial success, its biggest legacy was Bardot’s bikini scenes, which became a landmark moment in cinema. While the movie itself did not receive widespread critical acclaim, Bardot’s beauty and boldness ensured that it remained in memory. After this film, Bardot became one of France’s biggest stars, and the global popularity of the bikini soared. By the mid-1950s, the bikini had transformed into a mainstream fashion trend, largely thanks to Bardot’s impact.

 Bardot’s Earnings and Career Growth  

At the time of Manina, la fille sans voiles, Brigitte Bardot was a fresh face in cinema and did not earn a massive salary for her role. In 1952, new actors in French films typically received around 50,000 French francs, which would be equivalent to approximately 500 euros today. However, after this film, Bardot’s career skyrocketed. By 1956, after starring in And God Created Woman, she became an internationally recognized icon and one of France’s highest-paid actresses.

 Cultural Influence  

This film not only shaped Bardot’s career but also had a profound influence on the fashion industry. Even though the bikini was introduced in 1946, people hesitated to wear it publicly. Bardot’s role in the film helped normalize its appearance in pop culture, and by the late 1950s, bikinis became a common beachwear choice. Her screen presence symbolized women’s freedom and body confidence, though it also triggered intense discussions in conservative circles.

 Bardot’s Legacy  

This film marked a turning point in Bardot’s journey to becoming a global sensation. By 1956, And God Created Woman established her as a superstar. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she remained the face of French cinema, known for her beauty, confidence, and independent spirit. While she was labeled a sex symbol, she used her films to promote female empowerment.