Genius, we have long known, is subjective and wears many faces. Whether it’s Messi riding tackles, Steve Smith knocking another century in the Old Trafford mud, or Sinead O’Connor reminding us all what it is to be alive, when we observe it, we can lose ourselves temporarily, unprepared for what we have just witnessed.

Even if we know from this remarkable film that Petit survived – so far – we still find our nails chewed to the bone watching him.

Rock star Sting today said he was “praying” his voice would be fit on the eve of the opening date of his UK tour as he announced details of an extraordinary event next year.