Le bataillon du ciel

This movie was divided into two parts when it was theatrically released.The running time of the English version is shorter than the original one.

Part 1: "They are not angels" depicts the training of the French paratroopers in England before the D Day.We make acquaintance with a dozen of them,soldiers and officers.Close to documentary,it's not devoid of humor(the scene when the MO warns his men of the dangers of VDs in veiled terms in a girls school )or restrained emotion (the accident ).We feel the paratroopers' love for their motherland and their dear Paname (Paname is not only Paris's old nickname but one of the heroes's name or nickname)when they smell a metro (subway) ticket which they share.

Part 2 "Terre de France" :after their landing, we follow the heroic fighters through a ruined land.This part is more eventful .The soldiers discover the harsh reality of lost companions,tortures but also the bravery of humble people .Only two of them will survive.