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Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) (2005) DVD Review
Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) (2005) DVD Credits:
Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) (2005) Directed by:
Christian Carion
Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) (2005) Written by:
Christian Carion
Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) (2005) Cast:
Diane Krüger, Benno Fürmann, Guillaume Canet, Gary Lewis, Danny Boon, Daniel Brühl, Alex Ferns, Steven Robertson, Bernard Le Coq, Lucas Belvaux
Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) (2005) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) (2005) DVD Release Date:
14th November 2006
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Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) (2005) Synopsis:

This movie is inspired by a true story, which occurred in the trenches of the World War I battlefield on Christmas Eve in 1914. When war breaks out in the lull of summer 1914, it surprises and pulls millions of men in its wake. Christmas arrives, with its snow and multitude of family and army presents. But the surprise won't come from inside the generous parcels which lie in the French, Scottish, and German trenches. That night, a momentous event will turn the destinies of four characters: an Anglican priest, a French lieutenant, an exceptional German tenor and the one he loves, a soprano and singing partner. During this Christmas Eve, the unthinkable happens: soldiers come out of their trenches, leaving their rifles behind to shake hands with the enemy.

Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) (2005) DVD Review:

Although this was an Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee for Best Foreign film in 2005, it is nearly a year later that audiences will have an easier opportunity to see it, but it may seem a more fitting tale now than when it was first made anyways. The tale of peace between armies and nations on that famed Christmas Eve during World War I has a powerful statement to make, but it never forces it on the audience. It is a thoughtful and subtle film which is much more about the preservation of beauty and the destruction of that during times of war than it is directly about peace. This is all presented in a gorgeously magnificent way, with incredibly stark and lonely visuals to bring audiences right into the sadness of war which is contrasted starkly by the warmth that Christmas brings the soldiers.

Joyeux Noel is based on the true story which took place on the battlefields Christmas Eve 1914 during World War I. A German opera singer is forced to fight in the war, but he is pulled from the lines on Christmas Eve to sing for officers with his wife and partner, a Dutch soprano. Feeling that it would be wrong to abandon his men on Christmas Eve, the two decide to sneak back to the front lines, where holiday songs bring cheer to the frontlines. It has such an impact that the guns are lowered and the soldiers all meet in the battlefield to share cigarettes, chocolate and stories with each other.

Although all three of these groups of soldiers are fighting on different sides the causes are kept the same in this film. They are all soldiers fighting for their country and their superiors are the ones making the bad decisions. Most of the higher ranking military figures are seen as imbeciles and cold-hearted men, while the soldiers are real citizens of their country. By making all of the war’s leaders the enemies we can respect each of the individual soldiers and fully appreciate what that night meant for humanity, if only for a fleeting moment in time.

The most effective beauty in the film comes from the music. The battlefield is a strange place to hear music, and it is what bridges the men together, regardless of their side in the battle. The Scottish bagpipes provide the tune for a German Opera singer to sing to his soldiers and soon they have found peace among each other. The most profound and beautiful moments in the film comes from a female voice singing during a Christmas mass that soldiers from all sides participate in. The female voice on a battlefield filled with men is such a stark contrast to what is expected, and there is a remarkable beauty to this.

There is an audio commentary with writer/director Christian Carion, who proves himself an extremely technically proficient director as well as a passionate writer. This combination makes for a powerfully moving adventure. There is also an interview with Carion which may be easier for some to sit through rather than the commentary which can be tedious at times.

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Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) (2005) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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