Perfect screenplay, the wit and prose of the era are captured flawlessly. The enveloping plot and glorious settings are unique and the effort to create this film is remarkable (trekking the set and crew between Paris and Nice during a WW2 stammered production). To top it off, French New Wave was a direct response to films of this nature. Win/Win I say.

Somewhat overrated. I get the appeal, though. While I understand the New Waver's impetus to move away from this kind of cinema which is very theatrical, even when the characters are off stage, I must admit that the writing is really good. Each character is well-rounded and interesting, and the actors are well cast and enjoyable to watch. If only it wasn't so... I dunno.. French?

Jean-Louis Barrault plays the mime in this movie, and see it for his incredible performance alone!!! This movie was made during the Nazi occupation of Paris, and Barrault (in addition to starring in it) was risking his life, hiding Jews as extras in the film, and using the set food for them. At the other end of the spectrum, Arletty, who plays the beautiful Garance, was in real life consorting with a Nazi. But just see the movie for the film itself - a reverie, a dream of a film.

"Children of Paradise, Marcel Carné's 1945 vox populi masterpiece, has been oft-dubbed 'the French Gone With the Wind.'" - Ed Gonzalez

29

Universally praised as a masterwork. It captures the flavor of theatrical life, both the excitement felt in the gallery and the emotional upheaval emanating from the wings. This is one of the great French postwar classics.

Perhaps the greatest French film of all-time.

A masterfully directed french tale, containing a myriad of captivating characters. The film shines with a bright and striking originality. It's 3 hours long, yet every moment is immensely transporting and affecting. "Children of Paradise" is a thing of beauty and an absolute must see. Not just a miracle it got made, but a miracle on its own. Highly recommended !

Justifies its length, it's never boring. The story itself isn't fascinating, but it's helped immeasurably by the fact that the protagonists are all circus freaks.

Perfect romantic story supported by excellent characters. It's just such a graceful film, from the camera movements to the sets and costumes, the music, the dialogue - it's all fantastic. What a wonderful movie.

The film does what it does very well, presenting a web of romantic young lovers against a backdrop and context which dwarves them yet simultaneously heightens all of their emotions and actions. In that sense, the comparisons to Gone With The Wind are apt, though to me it's more Shakespearean, due to its poetic language and old-fashioned chivalry. For me it's a noteworthy and enthralling spectacle, but not the greatest French film of all time.

#34

All-time favorite

Using the theatre as the backdrop for the story, the film is confined in between the two, which has its advantages and disadvantages, because films that become too theatrical and refrains from using the obvious advantages storytelling devices of the filmmedia, tend to be too stiff, which also is the case with Children of Paradise. The film works brilliant in other perspectives - the acting, the poetic dialogue (a bit monotonous at times though) and the care for the characters it portrays.

The summary didn't appeal to me, but nevertheless I'm very glad I watched it. Remarkable!

shockingly, unbelievably great. beautiful images follow beautiful images. a complex story with complex characters. nothing is missing: all the constituent parts of a movie are here at a level of perfection hard to believe. beware, however: the ending does not tie up all the loose ends. that's not how european pictures were made then. further: the richest imaginable script goes by in subtitles at breakneck speed. difficult to watch: but it will change your life.

I have never understood people's veneration of this movie, but there is much about French sensibility in general I don't get.

It's not a quick paced film, and yet for every minute of the 3 hours I was absolutely captivated. The intricate plot, the wonderful characters, the charming visuals, they all add up to a great movie.

# 25

Children of Paradise is one of the most culturally enriched films I've ever seen. One of the most potent experiences artistically I've ever encountered, the entire film was an incredible endeavor. Clocking in at over three hours, there isn't a dull moment or a second that should have or could have been cut. The style of the film is the star of the show, the theatrical backdrop for the way the story is told and unfolds is brilliant. There are few films I've seen as good as this.

I loved the dialogue and I was amazed at how modern some of the acting was, but I don't think I would want to watch it again.

# 24

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Just about everything is marvelous: the perfect acting, the lavish sets, the music, the romance, the charming dialogue, the poetry and theatricality of it, the lighting. It's practically flawless. But it didn't grab me. I really had to struggle to get through it. It was all wonderfully executed... but there were long stretches that were really uninteresting to me.