Aside from the various stories that tell the real meaning of Christmas; the birth of Christ, there is probably no other more important and powerful Christmas film than Joyeux Noel. If you don't mind a foreign film with sub titles, this is definitely a must see movie for this holiday season.
This film is about the World War 1 truce on Christmas Eve 1914, depicted through the eyes of French, Scottish, and German soldiers along the Western Front. The one fact that you come to grip with throughout this film is that: we are all one people. It doesn't matter which side you are on, what religion you are, nor what race you are, we are all one people. And through each of these soldiers we see:
1. They share the same emotions of war and the battle to survive.
2. They carry with them the desire of wanting to be home for Christmas.
3. They all have someone back home that they so desperately love and want to be with.
4. They all share that same dream, one of peace.
On one of the battle fields on the Western front on Christmas Eve we see: the French in their trenches preparing to celebrate Christmas with champagne, the Scottish playing Christmas carols with their bagpipes, and the Germans in their trenches with Christmas trees and the voice of one Nikolaus Sprink, the famous German Tenor. Now mind you, each side is still cautious of a surprise attack from one another.
Once the sound of the bagpipes in the cold, desolate air begins, emotions begin to swirl amongst all three sides. The German Tenor grabs a Christmas tree and gallantly makes his way to the center of the battlefield singing Oh Come All Ye Faithful.
The leaders of the French, Scottish, and German infantry boldly come out and agree on a cease-fire for the evening. All three platoons would then acquaint themselves with one another and share: chocolate, champagne, photos of wives, girlfriends and family, and stories of their past.
At the stroke of midnight a British priest delivers a brief mass in which all the troops respond in unison and are deeply moved.
"Tonight, these men were drawn to that altar like it was a fire in the middle of winter. Even those who aren't devout came to warm themselves. Maybe just to be together. Maybe to forget the war."
Palmer, the British priest would later exclaim.
And so, one night of peace drew all men together.
On Christmas Day these men who were once enemies do the unthinkable; shelter each other during an artillery barrage. The leaders then decide to go their separate ways with their respective regiments.
The Germans are scolded by the Crown Prince of Prussia and are shipped by train to the Eastern front to fight the Russians. As the train departs, they start singing a Scottish carol they learned from their enemies whom they befriended: I'm Dreaming of Home.
May we all continue to pray for: peace on earth, and goodwill toward men.
Dave, Hard to believe it took almost a century after the fact for this film to be made. I'm curious if any other big screen versions of the Christmas truce of 1914 were ever made.
ReplyDeletei dont recollect hearing this story in history class in school,either. it needs to be shown in schools!
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