Children of Paradise is a masterpiece of French filmmaking and one of the greatest movies in motion-picture history. The film is noted for its brilliant re-creation of Paris life in the early 1800’s, especially the theater world. Children of Paradise is also known by its French title, Les Enfants du Paradis. It was made in 1944, during the German occupation of France in World War II. The film was not released until 1945, after the war ended.
Children of Paradise tells the story of the hopeless love of Baptiste, a poor mime artist, for the actress Garance. The film also brings to life a rich collection of characters from the different elements of Parisian society—actors, nobility, and criminals. The film runs almost four hours, though a three-hour version was released for United States audiences.
The motion picture was a collaboration between director Marcel Carne and poet-screenwriter Jacques Prevert. The two combined to create several of the finest films in the history of French cinema, including Bizarre, Bizarre (1937), Port of Shadows (1938), Daybreak (1939), and The Devil’s Envoys (1942). Prevert won acclaim in Children of Paradise for his witty, sophisticated dialogue. Carne was praised for the beauty of the film and for the depth and richness of the storytelling.
The film featured several of the most famous actors in the history of French motion pictures. Jean-Louis Barrault played Baptiste, and Arletty played Garance. Other actors included Pierre Brasseur, Maria Casares, and Pierre Renoir. The film’s title comes from the theater patrons called the “children of paradise,” who sit high in the theater gallery and pass judgment on the performers.
See also Barrault, Jean-Louis ; Prevert, Jacques .
