Review for Les Enfants Du Paradis

Marcel Carné’s 1945 masterpiece ‘Les Enfants Du Paradis’ is frequently classed as being the greatest French film of all time. (What – even better than Jaques Tati’s ‘Hulot’? Surely not!). Whatever your view, there is no doubting that visually and dramatically it’s a very fine film, thoroughly engaging and completely timeless. And all the more remarkable for being made during wartime occupation, with all the scrutiny and interference that this would inevitably have entailed.

The film featured some Jewish talent (set designer Alexander Trauner was hired in secret at great risk for example, and its length flew in the face of the usual 90 minute maximum, running as it does at some three hours. ‘The Children of Paradise’ is, of course, intended ironically. The actors here are in ‘paradise’ only when acting.

Set in 19th century Paris, the story revolves around the beautiful Garance and four men who compete for her affections: a mime-artist, an actor, an aristocrat and a crook. It’s probably best described as melodrama – with romance, deceit and murder all woven into its intricate narrative.

The cast is headed by Pierre Brasseur and Jean-Louis Barrault as rival actors, one a serious actor and the other a brilliant mime artiste, and Arletty as the object of their affections. Shot at the Victorine Studio in Nice the sets are quite magical. Despite the austerity of war-time (or perhaps because of it) the film is packed with people – extras filling every frame of this luscious historical drama.

Les Enfants du Paradis was inspired by the popular theatre of the 19th century, with three of its principals on identifiable historic figures - the pantomime artist Baptiste Debureau, the romantic actor Frederick Lemaitre and the criminal Lacenaire. Each falls in love with, and is briefly loved by Garance, (Arletty) a beautiful actress who leaves them each when she begins to feel possessed. Classic heart-breaker material with Arletty looking every bit the artist’s model she was (she posed for both Braque and Matisse. As a curious aside, she was actually jailed after the war for collaborating chiefly because of an affair with a Luftwaffe officer during the occupation.

The most striking and iconic character in the film (apart from Arletty) is Jean-Louis Barrault who was a real life mime artiste. Coming ten years into talkies, his presence gives a strange nod back to the romance of the silents - though he does deliver some impassioned speeches too. Oh, let's face it - everyone does in this wonderful melodrama.

As a romantic epic it has often been compared to ‘Gone with the Wind’ for its sheer ambition. In common with that film, the three hours fair whistle by and it’s an emotionally draining roller-coaster ride. Poetically sublime and bitter-sweet.

Image quality is good if not startling. Unlike modern movies there is no digital HD master lurking in the vaults. It’s had an extensive restoration and reconstruction job by Pathé from the original nitrate negative and two nitrate fine grain masters. Though the difference the restoration and refurbishment has made in the comparison featurette is undeniable, without that you would be forgiven for thinking that the whole piece is somewhat soft in comparison with the sharpness of most HD releases. It’s also slightly variable, better at some points than others, clearly as a result of compiling the film from the best of available prints.

The audio has also been restored from the original sound negative in mono and occasionally sounds a little woolly by today’s standards.

The packaging for the disc, in a colourful card case, is excellent. Far more attractive than the standard plastic blu-ray case with insert.

Extras on the disc are plentiful and may be worth watching before you start the film as they provide so much context and background which may well make watching the feature a richer experience.

• Theatre, Love and War: Making Les enfants du paradis (52 Mins) – a highly informative documentary featuring a number of French film commentators and Carne afficiandos.
• Les enfants du paradis: The Restoration of a Classic (7 mins) – a technical overview of the process of restoration for anyone who doesn’t believe them.
• Trailer

It’s notable that its release coincides with Studio Canal’s release of ‘Port of Shadows', another Carne masterpiece. Lovers of great cinema will want to add both to their collection without delay.