Is Paris Burning?

– The title is Adolf Hitler's question to his chief of staff Alfred Jodl on the eve of the liberation ..

Type:
Movie
Rating:
7.00 / 10
Duration:
2 Hours and 55 Minutes
Release Year:
1966
Original Name:
Paris brûle-t-il?
Is Paris Burning?
Is Paris Burning? (1966) - Also known as Paris brûle-t-il?

The title is Adolf Hitler's question to his chief of staff Alfred Jodl on the eve of the liberation of Paris (August 25): the military governor of Paris, General Dietrich von Choltitz, had been ordered to destroy Paris rather than let it fall undamaged into the hands of the Allies, but von Choltitz disobeyed.The film follows historical events as U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, head of the Allied invasion, refuses to divert troops to liberate Paris. His hand is forced by the French military leader, Philippe Leclerc, and by a Resistance uprising in the city. Von Choltitz keeps details of the uprising from the German high command in an effort to save the city being destroyed in retaliation. The film follows his turmoil as a soldier and as the man who doesn't wish to be seen by history as the cause of a beautiful city's destruction.

Story Timeline:
Producing Country:
Filming Locations:
Genre:

Is Paris Burning? (1966) - Trailer

Release Date:

26 Oct 1966

Language:

French, German, English

MPAA Content-Rating:
PG-13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned

Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.

Director:

René Clément

Writer:

Larry Collins (book), Dominique Lapierre (book), Gore Vidal (screenplay), Francis Ford Coppola (screenplay), Marcel Moussy (additional material for French scenes), Beate von Molo (additional material for German scenes)

Main Actors:

Jean-Paul Belmondo, Charles Boyer, Leslie Caron, Jean-Pierre Cassel

Plot:

In this sprawling, star-laden film, we see the struggles of various French resistance factions to regain control of Paris near the end of World War II. The Nazi general in charge of Paris, Dietrich von Cholitz (Fröbe), is under orders from Hitler himself to burn the city if he cannot control it or if the Allies get too close. Much of the drama centers around the moral deliberations of the general, the Swedish ambassador (Welles), and the eager but desperate leaders of the resistance.

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 nominations.

Production:

Paramount Pictures

Ratings:
Internet Movie Database:
6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes:
67%