After three years at the Boris Shchukin Theater, Samoilova landed the lead role of Veronika in Mikhail Kalatozov's war film "The Cranes Are Flying" in 1957. The film was a tremendous success, becoming the only Soviet movie to win the Palme d'Or, at the 1958 Cannes Film Festival. Samoilova received a special mention for "Most Modest and Charming Actress". She went on to win Best Foreign Actress at the Jussi Awards and the German Film Critics Award for Best Actress in 1958. In 1959, she was nominated for Best Foreign Actress at the BAFTA Awards.