Joyeux Noel (2005)
"Joyeux Noël" (original title)

In December 1914, an unofficial Christmas truce on the Western Front allows soldiers from opposing sides of the First World War to gain insight into each other's way of life.

Director:

Christian Carion

Writer:

Christian Carion

Stars:

Diane Kruger, Benno Fürmann, Guillaume Canet

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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	...	Le lieutenant Audebert
Gary Lewis	...	le pasteur Palmer
Dany Boon	...	Ponchel
Daniel Brühl	...	le lieutenant Horstmayer
Lucas Belvaux	...	Gueusselin
Alex Ferns	...	Le lieutenant Gordon
Steven Robertson	...	Jonathan
Frank Witter	...	Jörg - un soldat allemand
Bernard Le Coq	...	Le général Audebert
Ian Richardson	...	L'évêque anglais
Thomas Schmauser	...	Le Kronprinz

Storyline

In 1914, World War I, the bloodiest war ever at that time in human history, was well under way. However on Christmas Eve, numerous sections of the Western Front called an informal, and unauthorized, truce where the various front-line soldiers of the conflict peacefully met each other in No Man's Land to share a precious pause in the carnage with a fleeting brotherhood. This film dramatizes one such section as the French, Scottish and German sides partake in the unique event, even though they are aware that their superiors will not tolerate its occurrence.

---

Plot Keywords:

christmas | soldier | trench | no man's land | world war one | 

---

Taglines:

Christmas Eve, 1914. On a World War I battlefield, a Momentous Event changed the lives of soldiers from France, Germany and England.

---

Genres:

Drama | History | Music | Romance | War

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Official site UGC Distribution / Nord-Ouest Production [France]

Country:

France Germany UK Belgium Romania Norway Japan

Language:

French German English Latin

Release Date:

9 November 2005 (France)

Also Known As:

Joyeux Noel

Filming Locations:

Romania

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$3,413,005 (France) (11 November 2005)

Gross:

$1,050,445 (USA) (30 June 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nord-Ouest Productions, Senator Film Produktion, Bureau, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is inspired by a book, « Batailles de Flandres et d'Artois 1914-1919 », by Yves Buffetaut, and particularly a specific chapter, « L'incroyable de Noël de 1914 »

---

Goofs

Snow around the fresh graves, but not on the graves. When the graves were dug, where did they put the dirt so as not to disturb the surrounding snow? And if it snowed since the graves were dug, why is there no snow on the graves?

---

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 ...
[...]

---

Connections

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

---

Soundtracks

Bist du bei mir
Composed by Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel
Performed by Natalie Dessay and Rolando Villazón with Quatuor à cordes Bel arte and Philippe Rombi (piano)

User Reviews

Joyeux Noël - Marry Christmas

As I invited a friend with me to watch this movie, I had very low expectations. I usually don't like French movies, and I don't like war movies. At the beginning of Joyeux Noël, the director of the film said that it was based on a true story and that he wished that if we liked the movie, that we would tell everyone about it and recommend it. And so I will! One can't usually laugh of a war movie, but I did. It was filled with much humor, and I found it very amusing! The cat, the music, the people -it was all very incredible, and I will give you my word that I will buy this movie on DVD -it's already on my wish list!!! I recommend everyone to take a look at this significant movie! -Jeanett Stykket, Oslo, Norway