Joyeux Noël (2005)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Christian Carion

Writer:

Christian Carion (written by)

Release Date:

9 November 2005 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | War

Tagline:

France 1914. A moment of humanity that made history.

Plot:

On Christmas Eve during world War I, the Germans, French, and Scottish are trying to make peace, so they bury their dead and play football.

Plot Keywords:

German | French | Scottish | Truce | Christmas

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Diane Kruger	...	Anna Sörensen (as Diane Krüger)
Natalie Dessay	...	Anna Sörensen (singing voice)
Benno Fürmann	...	Nikolaus Sprink
Rolando Villazón	...	Nikolaus Sprink (singing voice) (as Rolando Villazon)
Guillaume Canet	...	Audebert
Gary Lewis	...	Palmer
Dany Boon	...	Ponchel
Daniel Brühl	...	Horstmayer
Lucas Belvaux	...	Gueusselin
Alex Ferns	...	Gordon
Steven Robertson	...	Jonathan
Frank Witter	...	Jörg
Bernard Le Coq	...	Le général
Ian Richardson	...	L'évêque
Thomas Schmauser	...	Le Kronprinz

Also Known As:

Merry Christmas (UK) (USA)
Happy Christmas (International: English title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 on appeal for some war violence and a brief scene of sexuality/nudity.

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

France | Germany | UK | Belgium | Romania

Language:

French | German | English | Latin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Australia:M | Ireland:12A | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 | Singapore:M18 | Norway:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Singapore:PG (edited version) | Finland:K-11 | USA:PG-13 (re-rating on appeal) | Malaysia:(Banned) | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 | Sweden:11 | Portugal:M/12 | USA:R (originial rating) | UK:12 (video release) | UK:12A (theatrical release) | Germany:12 (f) | South Korea:15 | Brazil:14

Filming Locations:

France

Company:

Nord-Ouest Productions

Trivia:

When Lieutenant Audebert (Guillaume Canet) compliments Horstmayer (Daniel Brühl) on his French, Horstmayer replies, "No honor in that; your wife is not German." At the time, Guillaume Canet was married to German actress Diane Kruger, who also starred in the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the soldiers leave on the train there are still leaves on the trees - although there's been a winter with snow before then.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Enfant francais: Child, upon these maps do heed This black stain to be effaced Omitting it, you would proceed Yet better it in red to trace Later, whatever may come to pass Promise there to go you must To fetch the children of Alsace Reaching out their arms to us May in our fondest France Hope's green saplings to branch And in you, dear child, flower Grow, grow, France awaits its hour.
Enfant anglais: To rid the map of every trace Of Germany and of the Hun We must exterminate that race We must not leave a single one Heed not their children's cries Best slay all now, the women, too Or else someday again they'll rise Which if they're dead, they cannot do.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht

a new xmas classic

I have always had an interest in WW1 and when I discovered that a film about that conflict was being released, I knew I'd have to see it as soon as possible. This is a very special movie. Telling the story of the extraordinary Christmas truce between waring soldiers in the trenches at Christmas 1914, it demonstrates just how ludicrous war really is and how the human spirit can overcome blind hatred. Performances, cinematography and direction don't really matter in this film. Though all these elements are of a high quality. What's important about this film is its message. It is a "feel good movie" with a difference. The difference is that the plot is based on a true event.

It is sure to become a fixture on Christmas T.V. listings over the coming years. But go and see it now. Particularly if, like me, your beginning to get cynical about this time of the year.