Category: Drama - International - Movie - War Documentaries
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DVD Joyeux Noel (Widescreen)
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
I had read a book some years ago concerning the Christmas truce of 1914. I was uncertain if the magic of the moment when enemy troops meet in No Man's Land would meet my expectations of reading about that even but I was more than satisfied. Director Christian Carion has taken great care in bring true events faithfully to the screen. In some cases, he slightly changed events but everything in his film happened at one time or another. For example, women did visit the trenches so what Diane Kruger's character does by coming to stay with her husband is not fiction. Also, there was an incident where a cat traveled between the lines that happened later in the war. My favorite scene from the film is when Benno Furmann (who plays Sprink) sings Silent Night and gradually walks into No Man's Land holding one of the small Christmas trees given to the German troops.
Joyeux Noel begins with children from Britain, France and Germany reciting actual propaganda that had been taught to them on how to hate their enemies, which is echoed at the end of the film when an Anglican Bishop (played by Ian Richardson) delivers a sermon to British troops about to engage the Germans on what a savage and cruel race they are and how they must all be killed. However, when German, British (represented by a Scottish regiment) and French soldiers meet each other there is a break down of indoctrination and they accept each other as fellow human beings; hey trade items and look at pictures of their wives and even play football. The film has been accused of being overly sentimental but the events depicted are pretty much as they happened; some have commented that No Man's Land is too clean but this was still early in the war and the land between the trenches was to become far worse.
The casting and performances are excellent. Gary Lewis, who is best know from Gangs of New York and Billy Elliot, is marvelous as a Scottish village priest who volunteered to come to France to serve his parishioners who went to war. My wife, who knew nothing about the Christmas truce, was drawn to the film and the message that what separates soldiers in time of war are pre-conceived notions that our enemy is evil, until we meet him.
"It came upon the midnight clear
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold.
"Peace on earth, good will to men,
from heaven's gracious King.
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing."
On December 24, 1914 a spontaneous, unscheduled, unapproved truce among German, French and British soldiers took hold in various sectors along the front lines. Soldiers exchanged cigarettes and alcohol, played football (soccer), and allowed the removal and burial of dead soldiers from the frozen tundra of no mans land. "Joyeux Noel", a French-made film with an international cast directed by Christian Carion, is a fictionalized account of this truce. It is a wonderful film that in its own way stands with or close Stanley Kubrick's "Paths of Glory" as one of the great films about the horrors of what has come to be known as the First World War.
The film opens in the days and years before the start of the "Great War". We see British (in this instance Scottish), French, and German schoolchildren absorbing lessons in Kiplingesque nationalism and empire-building that taught each group that God was on their side and demonized the evil German, Briton, or French. After a quick introduction to the main characters the war begins in all its brutality. The Scottish and French troops rise up from their trenches and are mowed down by German machine-gunners. The dead and wounded are left in no-mans land. At the same time we see the respective high commands, enjoying the comfort of life war out of harms way. As night falls on Christmas Eve, German soldiers place small Christmas trees atop their trenches. A bagpiper plays a Christmas tune and the German soldiers applaud. A German enlisted man, a well-known singer (the relationship between the soldier and his Danish wife, also a singer form the basis of much of the plot) rises out of the trenches to sing Silent Night.
"Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o'er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o'er its Babel-sounds
the blessed angels sing."
It is said that music hath charms to sooth the savage heart and in short order the German, French, and Scottish squad leaders (the "Three Wise Men"?) meet to discuss a short truce. The truce takes on a life of its own and forms the centerpiece of the rest of the film. The interaction amongst the soldiers is well crafted and well acted. There are even light moments as a stray dog routinely crosses the field of battle to take food from whatever army wishes to feed it. The cinema photography is lush without detracting from the story line. The songs sung by the soldiers as they observe the holiday truce are compelling. In the context of a war, even during a truce, the words to hymns of peace are tragically ironic. The words of peace must have been comforting but it is a comfort born of stolen moments and director Carion does an excellent job conveying the all too temporary nature of this reprieve.
"Yet with the woes of sin and strife
the world has suffered long;
beneath the heavenly hymn have rolled
two thousand years of wrong;
and warring humankind hears not
the tidings which they bring;
O hush the noise and cease your strife
and hear the angels sing!"
The film shows us the aftermath of the truce, the reaction of the high commands and it is these moments that bring Paths of Glory to mind.
Joyeux Noel is a beautifully drawn and acted film that very much deserved (and perhaps should have won) its Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA nominations. Highly recommended. L. Fleisig
A remarkable film about a remarkable event
This was one of those rare films that manage to be uplifting without being maudlin. It's message about the desire for peace even (or perhaps most especially) in the middle of war is as timely today as it was during WWI, where the film is set. There are moments of delight and of heartbreaking tragedy and they all mesh perfectly into a film that just feels "real."
The cinematography deserves special accolades as well. There are scenes that made such an impression on me I doubt I will ever forget them.
The acting, too, was first rate even though it was often understated. I only wish this movie would attract as many viewers as the Christmas fare normally in American theaters (do we really need a "Santa Clause III?)
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