3 Days of Terror: The Charlie Hebdo Attacks

From the Charlie Hebdo killings to the wider city wide manhunt, the film traces a rapid cascade of events that left Paris reeling. It does not simply list dates, it probes how fear shapes decisions, how authorities move under pressure, and how a nation reframes a confrontation with terrorism. The creators assemble testimony from police officers, witnesses and survivors and combine it with footage never seen before, offering a rare, up close view of the initial surge of responses and the sense of a city under siege. The result is a crisp, accessible portrait of a defining moment when a single attack became a test of public resolve and media duty. The film relies on vivid, human testimony to anchor the chronology.

Directed by Dan Reed and Luc Hermann, this documentary draws on unprecedented access and footage to reconstruct the Charlie Hebdo attacks and the ensuing manhunt. It premiered in 2016 and is noted for its restrained, ground level storytelling and widely praised approach.

Box office figures for this documentary are not publicly released, reflecting its emphasis on interviews and archival material rather than theatrical appeal. It has circulated through festivals and streaming platforms, with influence measured by responses and discussion rather than grosses.

The film contributes to the conversation about terrorism, media responsibility, and emergency response. By letting witnesses speak and showing the complexity of coordination between police and officials, it helps viewers see how a city processes trauma and preserves memory under pressure. Its approach helps set a standard for crisis reporting.

Critical reception highlighted the film's rigorous approach and its careful handling of sensitive material. The narrative centers on resilience, the ethics of coverage during a crisis, and the human costs of mass violence, offering a lens on a moment that reshaped life. The balance between empathy and restraint earns credibility.