Language(s): English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Latin
EAN: 0043396150997
Studio: Sony Pictures
Movie Description
Joyeux Noel captures a rare moment of grace from one of the worst wars in the history of mankind, World War I. On Christmas Eve, 1914, as German, French, and Scottish regiments face each other from their respective trenches, a musical call-and-response turns into an impromptu cease-fire, trading chocolates and champagne, playing soccer, and comparing pictures of their wives. But when Christmas ends, the war returns...Joyeux Noel has been justly accused of sentimentality, but if any subject warrants such an earnest and hopeful treatment, it's the horrors of trench warfare. The largely unknown cast--the more familiar faces include Diane Kruger (Troy), Daniel Bruhl (Good Bye Lenin!), Benno Furmann (The Princess and the Warrior), and Gary Lewis (Billy Elliot)--deliver low-key but effective performances as the movie dwells on the everyday elements of life in the face of war. Based on a true incident (though considerably fictionalized). --Bret Fetzer
Stills from Joyeux Noel (click for larger image)
Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee for Best Foreign Film, Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) tells the true-life story of the spontaneous Christmas Eve truce declared by Scottish, French and German troops in the trenches of World War I. Enemies leave their weapons behind for one night as they band together in brotherhood and forget about the brutalities of war. Diane Kr¼ger (Troy), Daniel Br¼hl (Good Bye Lenin!) and Benno F¼rmann (The Princess and the Warrior) head a first-rate international cast in a truly powerful, must-see film.
Joyeux Noel is a well told story for the ages. If people can stop fighting for a day, they can do it for a life-time. Thank you.
"top movie"
Written By: Peter White
if your into clasic ww1 true stories this movie tells all, the stupidity of war and the goodnes of men even in war time. highly recommended.....
"Enjoyable WWI Movie"
Written By: Scott FS
I, like many other people, are intrigued by this unusual event that took place during the first Christmas in the 'Great War'. Troops from both sides of the line informally agreed to put down their arms and clear the dead from no-man's land, sing carols to each other, and share chocolates and other foods across the lines.
The movie is well done. The cinematography is excellent, the acting is very good, the sets are quite nice, and the story, while it may not hue to the perfection that some reviewers would appreciate, is quite moving.
It's no surprise that the enlisted man would rather swap candy than kill his fellow man across the lines, but it's quite remarkable that the officers would go along with it. After all, armies are created to fight. Perhaps it was a bit of foresight of the terrible horrors to come that everyone had a moment of sanity and common humanity in that first Christmas.
It is indeed unfortunate that the spirit of the first Christmas was not repeated as the war dragged on.
Recommended. It is an enjoyable look at one of the most unusual events in modern war. Many people are unaware of these events, as was I. I learned of the movie after reading about it, and decided to give it a chance. I'm glad I did.
"Unforgetable Message!"
Written By: Timi Gleason
This is one of those stories that is unforgetable. I bought it for a friend of mine who is a retired military. The story involves three bunkers of front line troops: Germans, French and Scots in WWI. You see the lives of key players before they are inducted into service; some are volunteers and others are not. You know each personal journey before the story's challenge begins. The message of the story revolves around Christmas Eve and every one's loneliness. Some are just a few miles away from their homes. Each bunker has a unique way that they are trying to celebrate. Curiosity starts to take over as each bunker's close proximity reveals a startling commonality...different languages but same music. As they reach out to each other, the leaders start to take risks, too. Some of the scenes are unforgetable and so spiritually touching. A high price is paid for their 24 hour truce and heartfelt actions. Core integrity and morality are put to the test and each makes his choice. If you like true stories with morals to them, this one is a big winner. It turns out that there was more than one group that fateful night that broke down the barriers of hate in the name of peace.
"Good history destroyed by bad representation"
Written By: LtCol ret E. Kennedy, Jr.
This movie had potential. However, it took a great story and then played loose and free with the facts. If they had stuck with the actual events, the film would have been just as interesting as any fictitious stories invented by the producers. O.k., that addresses the plot and story....... The technical advisor really screwed up with the uniforms. Every German general is shown with an open collar. Wrong, wrong, wrong. All German tunics in this period buttoned to the neck --- period! They never wore open tunic collars. You cannot find a photo of an open collar on a general who was properly dressed. Not only does it look sloppy, it is factually incorrect. A simple check with a competent military historical advisor would have solved this error. Bottom Line: This film is slightly entertaining but could have been an excellent film with a little more effort.
"Well Done"
"top movie"
"Good history destroyed by bad representation"
