Why “Les Enfants du Paradis” is the Most Miraculous Film Ever Made

The epic “Children of Paradise” (translated) was filmed during the Nazi Occupation of France with a cast including 1800 extras …

Introduction

Filmmaking is a tough enough hill to climb. Raising funds, attracting talent, writing good material … Most anyone involved in the film game can share one personal horror story after another.

However, if that Sisyphusian uphill battle encompassed a Nazi occupation during a world war, undercover resistance agents among the 1800 extras using the film shoot as cover — while interacting with pro-Nazi collaborators and Vichy sympathizers placed by the authorities on the production — what ensues is an entire other degree of “difficulty.”

The following is a true story.

Development

I’ve elected to begin this piece with a trailer for the 4K restoration of the 1945 classic, which was rereleased in U.S. theaters in 2012. For my dollar, this trailer best represents the sheer size of this spectacle. If you have not seen the film, this will give you an idea of its scope: