Overview
A gripping portrayal of resilience and moral conflict in wartime Paris.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- serious
- tense
- suspenseful
- historical film night
- war movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a mostly positive, ambitious historical war drama supported by its stellar cast and sweeping depiction of Paris's liberation.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film interweaves the French Resistance, German command, Swedish diplomacy, Allied forces, and Parisian civilians.
Dietrich von Choltitz deliberates over Hitler's demand to destroy Paris as the Allies approach.
The liberation of Paris and the threat to its landmarks provide the film's broad visual and dramatic scale.
The audience knows Paris is nearing liberation while characters debate whether the city will survive the German withdrawal.
Films like Is Paris Burning?, and why
The Longest Day
shared World War II setting, resistance drama, moral conflict, and large-scale historical reconstruction
Army of Shadows
shared wartime occupation setting, liberation narrative, ensemble perspective, and documentary-style historical drama
A Bridge Too Far
shared World War II military drama, political deliberation, and tension surrounding a threatened city's destruction
Movie Details
- Director
- René Clément
- Release Date
- 1966-10-26
- Runtime
- 173 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (230)
Cast
- Jean-Paul Belmondo
- Charles Boyer
- Leslie Caron
- Jean-Pierre Cassel
- George Chakiris
- Bruno Cremer
- Claude Dauphin
- Alain Delon
- Kirk Douglas
- Pierre Dux
Common questions
- What is Is Paris Burning? about?
- A star-studded wartime chronicle follows resistance leaders, diplomats, and a conflicted German commander as Paris approaches liberation under threat of destruction.
- What is Is Paris Burning? like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Is Paris Burning? as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Is Paris Burning? violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Is Paris Burning? as moderate.
- What did critics think of Is Paris Burning??
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a mostly positive, ambitious historical war drama supported by its stellar cast and sweeping depiction of Paris's liberation.
- Which films are like Is Paris Burning??
- Films with a similar feel include The Longest Day, Army of Shadows, and A Bridge Too Far.
- How long is Is Paris Burning??
- Is Paris Burning? runs 173 minutes.
