Introduction
The 1966 film, “Is Paris Burning” is a historical war movie that depicts the liberation of Paris during World War II.
The film is directed by René Clément and features an all-star cast of French and American actors, including Jean-Paul Belmondo, Kirk Douglas, and Orson Welles. The movie is based on a book of the same name written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. But the question remains – is the movie Is Paris Burning a true story
The Storyline
“Is Paris Burning” tells the story of the liberation of Paris in August 1944. The German army had occupied France for four years, and the Allies were closing in from multiple directions.
The French Resistance played a crucial role in defeating the Germans, and they worked with Allied forces to liberate the city. The film portrays General Dietrich von Choltitz as a reluctant participant in Hitler’s plan to destroy Paris rather than let it fall into Allied hands. However, Swedish diplomat Raoul Nordling convinces him not to follow Hitler’s orders.
The Historical Accuracy
The events depicted in “Is Paris Burning” are based on real-life occurrences during World War II.
However, some aspects of the film are fictionalized for dramatic effect. For example, while General von Choltitz did indeed disobey Hitler’s orders to destroy Paris, it was not due to persuasion by Raoul Nordling but rather because he recognized that it would be futile to destroy such an iconic city.
Moreover, some characters depicted in the film are composites of several individuals or entirely fictionalized. For instance, Lieutenant General Omar Bradley’s character in the movie represents several other American military leaders who played key roles during the liberation of France.
The Book vs. the Movie
The film “Is Paris Burning” is based on a book of the same name by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre.
While the movie stays relatively faithful to the book, there are some differences between the two. The book provides a more detailed account of events leading up to the liberation of Paris and includes information on political and military strategies that were not depicted in the film.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while “Is Paris Burning” is not entirely historically accurate, it is based on real-life events during World War II.
The film’s depiction of General von Choltitz’s refusal to destroy Paris is accurate, but other aspects of the movie are fictionalized or composites of several individuals. However, despite these inaccuracies, “Is Paris Burning” remains a powerful and engaging portrayal of one of France’s most significant moments in modern history.