51 Films from the 1969 Oscars

Amidst rising global tensions and the threat of nuclear war, the Vatican offers a symbol of hope. As the election of a new Pope begins, the world watches. This time, the outcome is more than just religious; it could determine…

This biographical film explores the remarkable life of Isadora Duncan, a key figure who transformed dance in the 1920s. Duncan was famous for her controversial performances, often performed nude or semi-nude, which challenged social expectations with her innovative dances. Her…

In the picturesque French town of Rochefort, sisters Delphine, a lively dance teacher, and Solange, a gifted piano instructor, navigate their lives. Meanwhile, Maxence, a poet and painter, fulfills his military obligation with creative spirit. Simon, who once found love…

Continuing the story of François Truffaut's character, Antoine Doinel, this film follows him after he's released from military service. His girlfriend Christine's father helps him find a job as a security guard, but he quickly loses it. He then takes…

During the Cold War, a Soviet spy satellite, built with stolen Western technology, malfunctions and crashes in the Arctic, near the isolated British research station Ice Station Zebra. The station sends out distress signals before losing contact, triggering a global…

This 1968 animated documentary offers a critique of the industrial system. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive.

Rachel, a 35-year-old school teacher, is at a turning point in her life. Living with her mother in her small town, she's comfortable but open to change when a charming man from the city asks her out. This invitation makes…

This film explores Algeria's struggle for independence from France through the eyes of Ali. Initially involved in small crimes, Ali joins the Front de Liberation Nationale (FLN), a movement fighting to end French rule. The movie follows his journey from…

Jill Banford and Ellen March have created a comfortable life on a struggling Canadian farm. The arrival of Paul Grenfell disrupts their peaceful existence, creating conflict between them. The story questions whether Paul is truly the source of their problems,…

Thomas Crown, a wealthy businessman bored with his life, decides to plan a major heist. He hires a skilled agent to help him pull it off. While navigating the dangerous world of espionage, Crown unexpectedly falls in love with the…

In the dangerous world of organized crime, Police Lieutenant Frank Bullitt is assigned to protect Johnny Ross, the hotheaded brother of mob boss Pete Ross. As Senator Walter Chalmers schemes to bring down Pete using Johnny's testimony, Frank finds himself…

This film follows two gifted ballet dancers who share a breathtaking performance that goes beyond typical dance. Surreal visuals enhance every graceful movement, creating a dreamlike experience for the audience. The dancers blend with these ethereal elements to tell a…

Winnie the Pooh and his friends experience a powerful storm that floods their Hundred Acre Wood with high winds and heavy rain. The familiar landscape changes dramatically, and Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, and the others must work together to help…

This touching drama centers on Singer, a deaf-mute man with a secluded life. His world opens up when he meets Mick, a determined young woman aspiring to be a concert pianist despite her physical challenges. Though initially hesitant, Singer and…

This musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist tells the story of an orphan who escapes the harsh workhouse. The young and vulnerable Oliver joins a group of boys led by the clever Artful Dodger. Under the guidance of Fagin,…

A Sicilian woman, betrayed by the man she loved, journeys across continents to seek revenge. Armed with a pistol, she travels to London, determined to reclaim her honor. The film explores themes of vengeance and cultural differences as she navigates…

In Kentucky, an Irish family arrives with a mysterious golden object possessing a hint of magic. As the father and daughter adjust to their new life, they unintentionally impact the lives of others. A struggling farmer's luck improves thanks to…

In a small Czechoslovakian town, the fire department throws a big retirement party for their respected chief. The celebration includes music, dancing, a beauty contest, and a raffle – everyone is excited. But the perfect evening faces a series of…

This period drama explores the complicated relationship between King Henry II and his queen, set against a backdrop of political maneuvering and royal aspirations. The main conflict develops when the king and queen disagree about who will succeed them. This…

*De Düva*, a 1968 Oscar-nominated American short film, playfully imitates the works of Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, drawing inspiration from films like *Wild Strawberries* and *The Seventh Seal*. The film closely follows plotlines from several of Bergman's most well-known movies.…

An ordinary inventor dedicates his life to creating a revolutionary flying car. When news of his invention spreads internationally, a ruthless dictator seeks to seize it, aiming to use the vehicle to expand his power. The inventor must then undertake…

This Oscar-nominated short documentary examines the challenge of feeding a rapidly increasing global population. Filmed in Brazil, Uganda, India, and Taiwan, among other locations, the film was directed by James Blue (US National Archives).

This documentary explores the lives of heavyweight boxing champions from 1882 to 1929.

For years, a white family has relied on their Black maid. When she announces her plans to return to school and leave, the family’s young son believes she needs a distraction. He sets out to find a man to entertain…

When humans discover an enigmatic object hidden beneath the moon's surface, they embark on a quest to determine its origin, enlisting the aid of HAL 9000, the most sophisticated computer available.

Other Voices, a 1970 documentary by David H. Sawyer, profiles Dr. Albert Honig, a highly debated physician, as he showcases his methods for treating patients with conditions like coma, catatonia, schizophrenia, and autism. The film also observes several patients in…

Musician Max Frost sparks a political movement when he supports a Senate candidate who wants to lower the voting age to 18. Inspired by Max, his fans push for an even greater change: allowing 15-year-olds to vote. The young activists…

A skilled con artist takes a job at an insurance company with the plan to steal money. His scheme involves manipulating the company's advanced new computer system. He intends to reprogram it for his own fraudulent gain.

Two young girls explore themes of marriage, babies, love, and death through the imaginative creation and performance of plays in their backyard. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with New York Women in Film & Television in 2006.

Journey into Self is a 1968 documentary film introduced by Stanley Kramer and produced and directed by Bill McGaw. The film documents a 16-hour group therapy session involving eight people who had never met. Psychologists Carl Rogers and Richard Farson…

This seven-hour adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's classic novel follows the love story between young Countess Natasha Rostova and Count Pierre Bezukhov, set against the backdrop of Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia. The film portrays a deeply human story of love,…

Set in 1930s show business, the film follows Fanny Brice, a comedienne who rises from poverty in New York's Jewish neighborhood to stardom on the Ziegfeld Follies stage. The movie blends her personal life with her career successes, showing Fanny's…

After World War II, Timmy Cleary returns to his Bronx home and is disheartened to discover his parents' marriage is marked by constant arguments and bitter accusations.

This film tells the story of an ordinary person who receives an experimental procedure that dramatically increases his intelligence. Struggling with his new abilities and a world suddenly full of complexities, he begins to question the ethics of his transformation.…

This film chronicles Gertrude Lawrence's rapid ascent to stardom in the theater, exploring the demanding world of show business and the sacrifices required for fame. It reveals the cost of her success as she navigates the spotlight, highlighting how ambition…

In early 20th-century Russia, based on a true story, Yakov Bog, a Jewish peasant, is wrongly imprisoned in Kyiv for the alleged ritual murder of a Christian child. The film details the harsh realities of his life behind bars, as…

Astronaut Taylor crash lands on an alien planet and finds a world where intelligent apes rule, using humans for cruel experiments and games. To survive, Taylor allies with an empathetic chimpanzee scientist. Their unlikely friendship explores difficult questions about power,…

This coming-of-age film is set in Budapest and follows the quiet rivalry between two groups of young boys who have claimed an abandoned lot as their own. The story shows their non-violent attempts to protect their territory, highlighting their resilience…

Richard and Maria, a suburban couple, find their relationship growing stale. When Richard abruptly leaves Maria for a younger woman, they are both forced to confront their desires and anxieties. As Richard adjusts to his new life, Maria begins to…

Two powerful families are locked in a bitter feud. Amidst this conflict, two young people fall in love. Despite their families' hatred, they begin a passionate romance and decide to run away together. But their escape doesn't lead to a…

Broadway producer Max Bialystock and his timid accountant Leo Bloom hatch a clever scheme to make a fortune in the unpredictable theater world. They plan to put on a terrible musical about Adolf Hitler, hoping to trick wealthy but gullible…

This moving film honors a man who once aspired to the presidency, creating a powerful moment at the Chicago Democratic National Convention that brought the crowd to its feet, many in tears. Commissioned by the Kennedy family, the film begins…

"Prelude," a 1968 short film by John Astin, tells the story of a man who encounters the woman of his dreams. After failing to win her affection, he comes to value his own life. The film received an Academy Award…

This animated comedy follows a man who builds his dream home in the most affordable suburb he can find. It features a picture-perfect wife, a picture window, and a beautiful garden. But he desires something more, and his wish is…

The renowned lover Jean Navarro arrives at the marquis's castle, where the marquis lives with his young wife, Chantelle. During lunch, the marquis falls asleep, and Chantelle takes Jean on a tour of the gardens, showing him the roses, stables,…

Set in the village of Nadpur in India's Mayurbhanj District, the film follows a typical Oriya family as they pursue their livelihoods. The story centers on Ananda, a successful businessman in Nagpur, and explores his life, his children, and his…

"The Revolving Door," a 1968 American short documentary by Lee R. Bobker, examines the U.S. Judicial system. The film details the cases handled in lower courts, focusing on typical minor offenders and highlighting the insufficient conditions in jail facilities. It…

"A Space to Grow" is a 1968 American short documentary film produced by Thomas P. Kelly Jr. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Short. The film focuses on Upward Bound programs in Chicago, with Henry Fonda as…

"A Way Out of the Wilderness," a 1968 American short documentary by Dan E. Weisburd, details the efforts of the Plymouth State Home and Training School in Northville, Michigan. The film illustrates the school's programs designed to help children with…