Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful early sound film, lovingly restored
Review: Rene Clair's first sound film contains innovative cinematic devices that have since become commonplace (but which still retain most of their poetry in this context). A useful tonic for anyone who believes that sound was the death of true cinema, _Under the Roofs of Paris_ shows that even in the clunky early days of sound technology, there were directors who could use it with the freedom and expressiveness found in the best silent films.Criterion has performed a loving restoration of this French classic, and included a few very nice extras (including an informative television interview and Clair's early short "Paris qui dort"). It's a classic.
Rating: 
Summary: Difficult to follow, but interesting.
Review: This is a film from the transitional period between silents and sound. The film was shot without sound, then later dubbed. The result is a movie that is predominantly visual and this assists greatly if you have bought the V.H.S. version, because the subtitles are all over the place. Some dialogue has no subtitles whatsoever, some has titles for part of a conversation, and (maddeningly!) other parts have a subtitle half or even a quarter visible at the bottom of the screen. This is not the fault of Rene Clair however, who presents us with some great images of the streets of Paris, its low-life, and a peek inside the rented rooms of the poor people. The sound too is pretty good when you consider its original format, and the pretty but simple music conveys Clair's own enthusiasm to the listener.
The plot is somewhat incidental, but difficult to follow since it seems two near-identical men dressed in almost the same clothes are rolling dice to see who gets a girl. They are thwarted by a tough Parisian thief who looks uncannily like Basil Fawlty! But this does not really matter, just look at the sights and sounds of 1920s Paris, lovingly recreated in the film studio and see why Clair went on to become such a successful Hollywood director.
Rating:
Summary: Clair's first talkie is also one of his best.
Review: This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.
"Under the Roofs of Paris" released as "Sous les toits de Paris" in France is Rene Clair's first film with sound in it.
The film is about two men in love with the same woman. when one is falsely accused of a crime and sent to jail, the other takes advantage of the situation to make it worse.
It is another of the musical comedies released by Rene Clair, three of which (including this one) are currently available on the Criterion Collection.
The print quality is not perfect which is to be expected of a film nearly 75 years old. But as always, Criterion does an excellent restoration. This one having been done under the supervision of the French.
There are some great special features also.
"Paris qui dort" (Paris Alseep), Clair's first film is included. It is a silent film about a scientist who used a ray gun to 'freeze' every person in Paris. Only some people in an airplane and the night watchman in the top of the Eiffel Tower are unaffected.
There is also a interview with the director and a trailer.
This is a great release and both films on here are worth watching
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