IN THEATERS MARCH 3, 2006
Set in 1914 amid the muddy trenches and flying shrapnel of World War I, JOYEUX NOEL is a touching tale of an unlikely, if fleeting, reconciliation amid battle. French director Christian Carion begins his movie--which is based on a true event--by highlighting how startlingly close the warring factions are located to one another. Trenches occupied by French and Scottish troops lay a mere hairbreadth away from their German counterparts, to the point where an alarm clock in the French trench can be heard in all three dugouts. Carion adds a generous helping of gallows humor to this and similar scenes, although he makes sure to carefully rein in the comical elements of the movie to portray the fear that grips the men as they face their enemies. Suddenly, and entirely accidentally, Christmas Day brings a magical event that would forever sear the history books with a moment of humanity in the midst of bloody battle. The Germans place Christmas trees above their trench simply to get them out of the way, while Scottish bagpipers play along to the operatic voices they hear wafting over from the German camp. Then, as if by magic, all the men are united in No Man?s Land for a festive celebration. The men tentatively make friends, show each other pictures of faraway lovers, and play soccer across the snowy landscape, all the while knowing that the coming days may find them killing one another. Carion crafts an emotional picture in JOYEUX NOEL, but never shirks from highlighting the horrific fates that possibly await his collection of characters. Although the occasion around which the film revolves is celebratory, JOYEUX NOEL is full of suitably melancholy antiwar sentiments, making for utterly compelling viewing.
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Found this movie to be very entertaining and an interesting story. I had originally bought this locally and liked it so much that I decided to send a copy of it through Overstock, to family members in another state as an additional Christmas gift. Since the focus of this movie is Christmas Eve 1914, we found it timely for the holiday season but, we'd watch it again anytime. The recipients of this gift also gave it great reviews.
How often do you shop at Overstock.com? Few times a year
I know it is LOOSELY based on facts, but it was very well done. Will watch it again. Gave it as a gift for Christmas, so I haven't heard whether or not they enjoyed it.
How often do you shop at Overstock.com? Few times a year
This beautiful film portrays the amazing events of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 1914 in the WW1 trenches.. The photography and acting is stunning. The film is deeply moving and one soon becomes involved with the characters and their suffering. It is about hope,courage and doing the right thing despite all the odds. Due to the subject material I'm not sure that this is appropriate for all children. It's story is still very appropriate today as it deals with war and how we view our enemies, or if we should view them as enemies at all...
How often do you shop at Overstock.com? First time
Fabulous movie about a little known event. I have watched it 6 times with my US History II students and the ones who can make themselves read the subtitles for the foreign language portions really enjoyed it.
Shows the humanity of soldiers in a war.
How often do you shop at Overstock.com? First time
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