Is Paris Burning?
Near the end of World War II, Gen. Dietrich von Choltitz receives orders to burn down Paris if it becomes clear the Allies are going to invade, or if he cannot maintain control of the city. After much contemplation Choltitz decides to ignore his orders, enraging the Germans and giving hope to various resistance factions that the city will be liberated. Choltitz, along with Swedish diplomat Raoul Nordling, helps a resistance leader organize his forces.
Critics Sentiment
Notre Dame Cathedral bells ring as de Gaulle leads victory parade
Communist resistance refuses to honor truce and fighting resumes
The film builds from political confusion around the failed truce to the emotionally powerful finale celebrating Paris's salvation
Critics appreciated this ambitious war epic despite its flaws, consistently praising Gert Frobe's sympathetic portrayal of General von Choltitz and the film's authentic use of Paris locations. While some found the multiple storylines confusing and the pacing uneven, most reviewers were moved by the dramatic arc from oppression to liberation, culminating in Maurice Jarre's triumphant score and the visual transformation from black and white to color.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 75
Jean-Paul Belmondo
Yvon Morandat
Charles Boyer
Doctor Monod
Leslie Caron
Françoise Labé
Jean-Pierre Cassel
Lt. Henri Karcher
George Chakiris
GI in Tank
Bruno Cremer
Colonel Rol Tanguy
Claude Dauphin
Colonel Lebel
Alain Delon
Jacques Chaban-Delmas
Kirk Douglas
General Patton
Pierre Dux
Cerat - Alexandre Parodi
Glenn Ford
Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley
Gert Fröbe
Von Choltitz
Daniel Gélin
Yves Bayet
Georges Géret
Baker
Hannes Messemer
General Jodl
Harry Meyen
Lieutenant von Arnim
Yves Montand
Sgt. Marcel Bizien
Anthony Perkins
Sgt. Warren
Michel Piccoli
Edgar Pisani
Wolfgang Preiss
Capitaine Ebernach
Crew
Write a Review
Rate each story beat:
