Joyeux Noel (2005)

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.

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Plot Keywords:

truce | soldier | christmas | world war one | christmas eve | 

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Taglines:

France 1914. A moment of humanity that made history.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Music | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

As of October 2009, American composer Kevin Puts was writing a full-length opera based on this film for the Minnesota Opera. The opera, called Silent Night, was premiered in Minnesota in 2011, won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for music, and was transferred to Opera Philadelphia in February 2013 with most of the same cast. Its libretto by Mark Campbell is extremely faithful to the movie's screenplay.

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Goofs

When Anna and Nikolaus talks about the time they met for the first time, they say "Oslo". Oslo, capitol of Norway, was called Kristiania until 1924.

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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 ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: 16 Blocks/Sorry, Haters/Aquamarine/Dave Chappelle's Block Party/Joyeux Noel/Curious George/London (2006)

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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

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.

Details

Official Sites:

Nord-Ouest Films [France] Official site

Country:

France Germany UK Belgium Romania

Language:

French German English Latin

Release Date:

9 November 2005 (France)

Also Known As:

Merry Christmas

Filming Locations:

Romania

Box Office

Budget:

EUR18,151,814 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,054,361

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,709,155

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nord-Ouest Films, Senator Film Produktion, The Bureau

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1