Paris Is Burning (1990)

The Liberation of Paris...
1966's "Is Paris Burning?" was one of several ensemble 1960's movie epics commemorating the Allied victory in World War II. It was based on the historical account by Larry Collins and Dominique LaPierre of the liberation of Paris from Nazi occupation in 1944.

This is a French production and its cast and point of view are largely French. At the start of the film, Hitler appoints a new German commander in Paris (Gert Frobe, Goldfinger from the James Bond movie) who is directed to burn the city if Allied liberation is likely. The French resistance, with the Allies ashore in Normandy, debate among its factions about when to rise up and seize the City. In the event, several factions start on their own; the result is fighting over control of the public buildings in the center of Paris. The Swedish diplomatic representative (Orson Welles in an extended cameo) arranges a temporary ceasefire while the resistance seeks an assurance of Allied military help.

The Allies had planned to bypass Paris in pursuit of retreating German Armies, but the uprising forces their hand. General Omar Bradley (Glenn Ford in a cameo) releases the French 2nd Armored Division and U.S. 4th Infantry Division to go to Paris. The stage is set for a race to the finish, as the Germans methodically lay demolitions charges around Paris while trying to hold off the resistance and the Allies.

The cinematography is crisp black and white, intercut with actual combat footage from the war. The movie is a virtual tour of Paris. The cast must have included every prominent French actor of the time, whose lines are (mostly) seamlessly dubbed into English. The joyous hysteria that accompanied the liberation is nicely captured, with scenes of French soldiers slipping off tanks to call ahead to parents they have not seen since 1940. Maurice Jarre's distinctive musical score helps carry the storyline.

This movie has rather been forgotten over the years. It certainly deserves another look; this movie is highly recommended to fans of the World War II genre.

For WWII History Buffs
The quality of the production isn't the best, but if you are a World War II history buff, you will love this DVD.

Despite Its Flaws
And it has many...it is star gazing on a grand scale. Only the Hubble or The Longest Day can show you more.