Is Paris Burning? Reviews

English version

Too bad it is not the French version but the dubbed one. So if you're French, do not rent it you're going to be very disappointed.

Large sprawling movie but holds together well

A conglomeration of fine French and American talent so sometimes the lip synchronization is slightly out. A difficult subject to film but done very well, very good performances by fine actors and actresses (particularly that cute little Leslie Caron), Jean Paul Belmondo is always a treat to watch, film is interspersed with actual footage. As the event itself was multi faceted with many sub groups of people all contributing to the liberation of Paris the film jumps from group to group but despite this it is done quite well and the continuity of the film is knitted together well. Not your usual war film but an excellent historical piece which I think tends to portray the event as evenly as possible without too much 'Hollywood' creeping in, (they should have left Anthony Perkins out though)!

The Resistance V Nazi's in Paris

Charming, & heroic depictions of everyday Parisian suits & students taking on the Germans on their own cultured patch, by using local Parisian stealth. I won't say too much because it could give it away, although we all know the outcome of history.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Companion to The Longest Day

Not a documdrama about Ms Hilton with an STD but a 1966 film about the liberation of Paris from the Nazis. Very much in the same vein as The Longest Day, with excellent black and white photography showing the city at its best and in unfamiliar light - deserted with some old cars rushing around during the occupation. This is the main reason I'm giving it four stars.

It picks up right after Valkeryie, as a German general visits the Fuhrer and sees the remnants of a failed assasination. That general is played by Gert Frobe aka Auric Goldfinger and he is soon given control of Paris, with strict orders to burn it down should the Allies advance. Hitler is in his mad ranting Downfall mode.

It's a good-ish film. However, it fails a bit because it can't be a war movie like The Longest Day in structure and films about the Resistance work best if only from their point of view, imo. Sadly, the head of the Red Cross (played by Orson Welles) and even the German general himself are easier to relate too. And if anything, it appears the efforts of the Resistance make it more likely the Germans will react and set alight to 1000 years of art and architecture. I must admit I had to pause the DVD to allow my mind to wander a bit. The second half is more along the lines of The Longest Day and is let down by Anthony Perkins as a dopey US soldier rapsodising about getting to see Paris for the first time.

drawn out

it started well with some super footage of Paris which I enjoyed very much. The film went on far too long and my mind wandered.

very good ww2 movie

An entertaining older film packed with stars of the era it was made

Paris brule-t-il?

Amazing cast of both French & anglo-saxon actors. The film has aged well and the scenes of Paris are great. I'm pleased to have caught up with this film!

Is Paris Burning?

The French resistance are backed up by silly, sexyish accordion music and the German officers are so brave and dignified that this film seems to be saying undercover exactly the opposite of what it says on the surface - whose side are we audience really supposed to be on?