X
- 2006
- PG-13
- Sony Pictures Classics
- 1 h 56 m
- 2006
- PG-13
- Sony Pictures Classics
- 1 h 56 m
Summary 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 in...
Directed By: Christian Carion
Written By: Christian Carion
- 2006
- PG-13
- Sony Pictures Classics
- 1 h 56 m
- 2006
- PG-13
- Sony Pictures Classics
- 1 h 56 m
Merry Christmas
70
8.1
Where to Watch
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Summary 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 in...
Directed By: Christian Carion
Written By: Christian Carion
Where to Watch
Coming Soon
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 26 Critic Reviews
70
85% Positive
22 Reviews
22 Reviews
15% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 26 Critic Reviews
70
85% Positive
22 Reviews
22 Reviews
15% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
But except for a few missteps, the movie is so beautifully and sensitively rendered in its particulars, in its characterizations of soldiers and officers, and in its dramatization of a nearly miraculous event, that the result is an affecting piece of cinema.
User Score
Universal Acclaim Based on 32 User Ratings
8.1
97% Positive
31 Ratings
31 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
3% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Universal Acclaim Based on 32 User Ratings
8.1
97% Positive
31 Ratings
31 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
3% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Aug 1, 2020
Before talking about the film, I will leave a brief historical commentary on the real incidents that supported it. The so-called "Christmas Truces" were informal breaks that took place around Christmas 1914 along the western front of the First World War. They consisted of unofficial ceasefire agreements between the belligerents, sometimes followed by moments of fraternization. Although this now seems surprising, and it was done outside the orders and will of the military high commanders on both sides, this incident is not unique and has its origins in Christian beliefs, then still marked in the minds and behaviour of the European peoples, regardless of country and culture. Personally, I believe that there was still a certain tradition of trying to avoid fighting at Christmas and Easter, the strongest dates of the Christian faith and when, at least Catholics, had the "truce of God" tradition, which is a truce of a few days to celebrate and pray. Even though there is no link between the "truce of God" and what happened in 1914, the fulfilment of these informal truces was the last time that a generalized military conflict stopped for religious reasons, and it serves for us to understand (as those soldiers also understood) that there is much more uniting peoples than separating them, and dialogue solutions are always preferable to war. In the following year, 1915, the Germans still wanted to repeat these truces, but the allied military did not give them any possibilities. The increase in the intensity and ferocity of the war would, over time, put an end on any chance of fraternization. The film, I think, managed to approach the essence of this issue, that is to show what united those soldiers, divided by flags, uniforms and trenches. To show that faith in God and humanity can unite different peoples and stop wars, opening space for new ways of dialogue. If those commanders had those power, they would certainly have been able to negotiate reasonable peace terms between their countries right there, because they saw the enemy's human side, they saw that the enemy is just another man with a family, who thinks the same way and also wants to return home. Of course, the film also has a lot of fictional elements, like the opera singers, but it's a film, not a documentary, and I handled it well. If we exclude these fictional notes, the film is very well done and has a lot of historical rigour, in addition to being quite politically neutral, that is, it avoids falling into the error of classifying the "heroes" and the "villains". Its a European film, made in co-production between several countries, and it was certainly a very happy and successful effort. It seems to me unnecessary to speak of the cast as I am not an expert on European actors and I do not know any of those involved here. Anyway, the cast did a very good job and the fact that there are no famous names was good, allowing us to see the character better instead of the actor who plays it. Diane Kruger and Benno Fürmann are the exception to this rule, being the only actors I have recognized from previous work. They did well, but they are footnotes in a film that was not made for them to shine. They also pretend to sing, but the voices we hear, which are magnificent, belong to the professional lyric singers Natalie Dessay and Rolando Villazón. In particular, I think the best actors in this film were Guillaume Canet (who gave life to French officer Audebert), Gary Lewis (who played the Scottish Protestant pastor, the character responsible for the most markedly spiritual and ecumenical moments in this film) and Daniel Brühl (the German official). Technically, it is a film that does not excel in showy production values but has quality and a lot of visual beauty, to which a careful cinematography, with good color and light, largely contributes. The costumes are very interesting and visually well made, but sometimes they seem too clean for soldiers who have been in the mud for weeks. The music is discreet but includes great bagpipe Scottish tunes and beautiful lyric pieces, which are in the ear and will be wonderful in the film.
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Feb 15, 2014
This **** "best" movie I've ever seen in my entire life: I almost cried at the end of it, and I tend to watch movies mostly as a way to communication more than a total. But this movie gives such a strong and powerful message that i was simply amazed and overjoyed. The story is based on a real fact on the WWI, specifically around Christmas, where basically the 3 opposing factions (Scotland, France and Germany) decided to stop the war for celebrating **** it all develops from there what is basically a strong message of peace. Infact, this movie shows how a simple festivity, how just the mere act of celebrating a holiday, it's able to change EVERYONE in the span of few instants. It's not even about Christianity sake, it's a global message of how just simple beliefs can bring out the good in people. It has some flaws now and then (I hardly remember the characters themselves) but I just loved the message and basically how we should religions not just a simple way to live, but a way to bring out the best of ourselves and to do the right thing. Like I said at the start, in my opinion, this is the best movie "ever". Of course, to each his/her own.
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The overall saga is moving, the performances are first-rate, the production values (which do not rely on the usual cartoonish CGI effects) are strong, and Carion captures the special insanity of stalemated trench warfare with an unusual horrific flair.
An intense but fairly brief battle scene near the start reminds us of the unique horrors of this war. But the hokey music played over it hints that the film is going to try too hard to touch us. And it soon does.
By Kyle Smith FULL REVIEW
Joyeux Noël finishes up as no more than a garden-variety tearjerker, neatly packaged for Oscar candidacy. It's not hard to see why the French chose this inoffensive weepie as their nominee for best foreign-language film, when they might have had Jacques Audiard's far superior, if more difficult, "The Beat That My Heart Skipped" or Arnaud Desplechin's "Kings & Queen."
Joyeux Noel is no gritty war film; this is more of a Christmas miracle movie, full of melodrama. Carion juggles a large, multicultural cast, and few of the characters stand out; most are there to represent the types who pop up in your standard war-movie battalions.
If the film's sentiments about the madness of war are impeccably high-minded, why then does Joyeux Noël, an Oscar nominee for best foreign-language film, feel as squishy and vague as a handsome greeting card declaring peace on earth?
Apr 24, 2022
Illustrations of the brutality and vast inhumanity of warfare are rarely (if ever) as clearly depicted as here in this most thoughtful movie. It perfectly juxtaposes the horror of trench warfare in close proximity to your enemy, with the desperate longing for peace and family. Those pushed into combat by the selfish stupidity of the ruling classes & their petty squabbles will grasp at any offers for time out. This is movingly demonstrated on the Christmas Eve of 1914 and a most welcome opportunity to share the joy of the true Christmas message – brought about through the beauty of Christmas Carols being sung by a professional Opera singer in a German trench. What follows is the human exchange between German, French and Scottish troops as they each realize they long for the same outcome, an end to the hatred and death. Quality is obvious within all production levels, direction, casting, design, cinematography, and music; this is international filmmaking at its best. The fact it’s partly based on actual historical events makes this a most worthy, enriching experience. And any who might generally shy away from sentiment, don’t - for the reality is that most of these men were shockingly sent to their deaths by callous generals who wanted them punished for attempting to find peace in the face of war. A powerful testament to cinematic achievement and humanity.
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Oct 29, 2016
"Merry Christmas" or "Joyeux Noel" is a fantastic anti-war movie. The film's concept that combines singing Christmas carols with world war 1 is a strange one, but it is handled masterfully. This film needs to get more attention.
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Feb 13, 2017
Writer and director Christian Carion decides to tell us a very important story about the one time during "The Great War" when soldiers fighting for other countries came together that one Christmas time to celebrate life. The time of year that is so precious, many settled their differences to actually get to know each other. 'Joyeux Noel', or "Merry Christmas" is a poignant, emotionally stirring, sometimes too sentimental movie that is perfect for the holiday season. The movie stars Benno Furmann as Private Nikolaus Sprink, a German tenor who also sings opera with his beloved wife, Anna Sorenson (Diane Kruger) who becomes concerned when he goes off to war. She gets permission to perform for the soldiers there, as long as Sprink accompanies her. When we see the soldiers getting together and actually swapping stories, the movie becomes interesting as we see their differences are only so small. The focus is very strong on bringing these characters and making them human and easily sympathetic. Again, what does hold the movie back is the overuse of its sentimentality, there is some bitterness from a couple of characters such as Lieutenant Hostmayer (Daniel Bruhl), but even then, it is limited to try and make this movie as likeable as some of the soldiers we see on screen. All in all, this is a very solid movie, telling us a story that we should all know, in that War is something that people are only forced to fight in. Nobody here is a blood hungry murderer, they're just taking orders. At the end of the day, they're good people.
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Dec 2, 2016
Joyeux Noel is a film sculpted out of the spirit of Christmas and of unity. A film about highlighting our similarities in the face of so many differences and animosities, Joyeux Noel is a beautiful film celebrating the kinship of humanity. Telling the real life story of the Christmas truces of 1914 in World War I, Joyeux Noel is a film with great scope, as it focuses on the French, British, and German soldiers in equal measure. With good cinematography, gorgeous music, and an infectious Christmas spirit, Joyeux Noel is an undeniably remarkable work by director Christian Carion. Blending bloodshed with tears, Joyeux Noel's great breadth really both elevates and harms the film. By showcasing the stories of all three sides and their similarities and all of the elements that make them human, the film expertly creates sympathy on all sides. When the bureaucracy shows up to condemn the actions, both in a religious and war sense, it leaves the audience feeling angered. Yet, it does nothing to undo the brotherhood on display beforehand. From shots of the three troops in their own trenches to the three sides meeting in no man's land to celebrate Christmas, the film is well-served by treating all sides equally. There is no bad, only good. In juxtaposition to the words of their superiors, the soldiers at battle know the truth: there is more that unites us than divides. For this, Joyeux Noel is a phenomenal work that serves up a striking and moving message to humanity: drop your arms and join together, forgetting our petty differences, and unite under one umbrella. This message is not restricted to religion either, though it does heavily depict Catholicism. As shown, the Catholic Church rebuked the priest who conducted the Christmas mass for the soldiers. Thus, religion is like nationality. It is merely something that serves to divide us. It is only when we are truly human with no barriers - such as in joining together to celebrate Christmas or burying our dead - do we find unity with one another. However, all of this said, its breadth hurts it in the character development department. With so much going on, names get lost in the shuffle and stories blend together. While the stories are all moving and serve to further unite the characters, it feel all too much for two hours. That said, this is a nitpicky concern, given the power of the togetherness in the film. In fact, it could be argued that by giving little attention to character development, the film is aiming to create a sense of realism. Essentially, we know as much about these characters as they reveal to the opposing sides. By the end, this is numerous and reveals a lot about who they are. However, it is only very little information, but it information with great impact that drives home the point that these are humans with lives and wives who, for all intents and purposes, is the exact same as yourself. Thus, we do not really need more character development because it would create an affiliation for certain characters over others when we should instead feel attached to all of them. This is fair and, obviously, I do agree. However, in a longer film, delving further into some stories on each sides would have been a great addition. However, nothing can match the chills of Anna Sorensen (Diane Kruger) or Private Nicolas Sprink (Benno Furmann) singing for the troops as all sides play the accompanying music. Moving, stirring, and entirely breathtaking to watch, these moments repeatedly gave me chills due to the way in which it truly captures the spirit of Christmas and why this season is the best of the year. One of the few times we all come together, Joyeux Noel is about coming together at all odds. Here, music and a love of God bring the characters together and, even if you hate music or do not believe in God, it is hard to deny the power of the film in these moments. Though called sentimental by some (and it certainly is), Joyeux Noel is a breathtaking and beautiful work about Christmas and what the season truly means. A film about dropping your arms and differences in order to join one another in celebration of the season, Joyeux Noel is a gorgeous work that is wide in scope, but never loses sight of its main purpose: to bring joy.
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Production Company
- Nord-Ouest Films
- Senator Film Produktion
- The Bureau
- Artémis Productions
- Media Pro Pictures
- TF1 Films Production
- Les Productions de la Guéville
- Canal+
- CinéCinéma
- Sat.1
- Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC)
- Eurimages
- Région Nord-Pas-de-Calais
- C.R.R.A.V
- Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg
- Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA)
- Tax Shelter du Gouvernement Fédéral Belge
- Soficinéma
- Cofimage 16
- Uni Etoile 2
- Sogécinéma 3
- Groupe Un
- SCOPE Invest
- Nippon Herald Films
- Cinéart
- Playtime
- Cofinova 1
Release Date Mar 3, 2006
Duration 1 h 56 m
Rating PG-13
Tagline Without an enemy there can be no war.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
César Awards, France
• 6 Nominations
