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The film is adapted from the French playwright Cyril Gely's eponymous stage play, which was a huge success in 2011. The story primarily takes place on the night of August 24, 1944, at the Hotel Meurice on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. This hotel, built in the 18th century, has a rich history and is said to have been visited by Napoleon's mistress via a secret back staircase. At that time, the hotel served as the headquarters for Dietrich von Choltitz. After the Allied forces landed in Normandy in June 1944 and began advancing towards Paris, Hitler ordered the destruction of Paris. However, Raoul Nordling was determined to persuade Choltitz, who was responsible for carrying out this order and had already placed explosives at the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Seine River bridges, to abandon the plan and preserve the streets, landmarks, and innocent residents of Paris. This classic political drama is almost entirely a two-character confrontation between the seasoned diplomat Nordling and Choltitz, who wished to faithfully fulfill his military duty but did not want to be burdened with the infamy of destroying Paris. The performances of the two lead actors, Niels Arden Oplev (known for "The Prophet" and "The Rhythm of the Heart") and André Dussollier (known for "Paris Chansons" and "The Longest Engagement"), have been praised by international film critics. The dramatic and intense exchanges highlight how, at times, the course of history can rest in the hands of a few key individuals. Historically, Nordling and Choltitz did not have such a dramatic "Paris night," but they did meet several times before the Allied forces entered Paris, and Nordling ultimately convinced Choltitz to abandon the plan to destroy Paris.