Directed by René Clément, this movie about the liberation of Paris from Nazi in August 1945 is full of famous actors at that time. This cannot be watched only once, that is if you are interested in the story, for its many details. In black and white, it seems like watching a documentary.
General Choltitz, the military governor of Paris, has been ordered by Hilter to destroy Paris. (Why? Choltitz says the Fuhrer is insane.) Based on a book by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, this movie tells about the Resistance activities and how Major Gallois's success to fetch the help from Free French Army of Liberation and the Allies.
The music by Maurice Jarre is patriotic and sounds happy. I don't understand though why in the scene where the German soldiers put the bombs in historical places the background music is also happy. The movie is funny at times, too. 1) When Major Gallois tries to reach the American soldiers across a field, a German soldier is heard pulling a trigger behind him. Gallois stops, but the German has decided not to shoot him; afraid it means telling the Americans the position of the Germans. I think it means the Germans know they have already lost the war. 2) An old lady watching soldiers firing arms while having her tea. For her, it's the same as watching a TV. There are harrowing moments as well, like the execution of 35 young FFI resistants, betrayed by Captain Serge.
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