Product ReviewsJoyeux Noel (DVD, 2005)

Fabulous and Touching Movie depicting historic moments

We love this movie! I think that it should be a part of high school curriculum...I know it is in some schools, but definitely not all. It portrays war and individuals who fight in them, in a humane, intimate way, where you can see that soldiers are often just following orders. They don't necessarily want to fight or to hurt others. They're fighting for a cause ordered by those who are usually never on the battlefields. We all have more in common that we have that is different. Highly recommend this movie!Read full review...

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Joyeux Noel: Merry Christmas in many languages

One does not need a history degree to understand this compelling true tale of the futility of war. Writer/Director Christian Carion stayed true to the context and facts of the incredible story of soldiers laying down their arms and forming friendships on a battlefield while a war rages on. While not every detail is exact or the order in time correct, the telling of the story is such that the impact was very real to this viewer.

The movie opens with children reciting the propaganda of the day given to them by their governments and their teachers. It is chilling to think that these children, already being conditioned, would be the soldiers in the next war. Propaganda, however, can only infect those to whom the same language is understood.

Some things transcend nations. Music is one of them and is used to wonderful effect in Joyeux Noel. Another thing can be religion. I say "can be" because, while a Latin Mass, understood by all nationalities present, is depicted being celebrated in No Man's Land, another "sermon", told later to the soldiers replacing the ones who fraternized, reverses "peace on earth, good will toward men" to kill them because I say so.

I had the privilege of presenting the story of the WW1 Christmas Truce near to and on its 100th Anniversary in December 2014. Once as part of a Christmas Concert. Here were children who were involved in singing "Silent Night", a song known by nearly everyone in 2014 as in 1914. Twice to an elderly audience who sang hymns and recited verse with me. They were on verse and on note without printed words, music or accompaniment.

The lesson (in my opinion): Never underestimate the human spirit. While a war is on, there are some who embody the scripture, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14 NAB

Joyeux Noel is a compelling cinematic experience. View it with English subtitles. Merry Christmas.
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A great holiday tale!

If you have ever studied World War 1 (The Great War!), you have probably heard stories about how early in the war, when it was still a reasonably civilized affair, soldiers in the trenches on both sides, put aside their differences & hate & celebrated Christmas. This film is about one such sector of the trenched lines where British, French & German soldiers were overwhelmed by the spirit of Christmas & joined together to celebrate the holiday despite the horrible war they were all participating in. This is an absolutely wonderful story about how the power of Christmas can allow hated enemies to come together as friends at least for a short time. It starts out with a few hymns & carols being sung in both trench lines, followed by the Germans erecting Christmas trees all along their trenches, moves to an agreed armistice by the officers for all sides & culminates in a midnight mass with all participating in 'no man's land'. In real life, both sides resumed hostilities a few days later, but in this film, the soldiers find it impossible to fight each other anymore & are chastised & pulled from the lines by their superiors.

This is a wonderful heart warming Holiday story that you'll find yourself watching over & over, maybe even making it a Holiday tradition! Be warned, all soldiers speak their native language so get those English subtitles working, but I must admit, the 1st time I watched this, I didn't have the subtitles on & the message of this movie & it's power still came through loud & clear!Read full review...

Fantastic! Good defeats Evil, as it should!

I love this movie! Have a box of tissues handy, just in case the tears arrive.

I was on the edge of my chair wondering what could possibly happen next? I was sure this movie could only have a tragic ending, after all it's about a war.

BUT NO! I cried tears of joy at the great, positive ending. You'll never guess what it is, even with this clue.

I'm buying copies of this movie on Ebay to give out at Christmas because I know everyone will enjoy it in one way or another.

I can't wait for Christmas this year so I have an excuse to watch this movie again. Buffy

P.S. NOTE THE REVIEW FROM NAOMI IS REALLY A COMPLAINT ABOUT NOT RECEIVING HER ITEM SHE PURCHASED ON EBAY AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MOVIE!!!!Read full review...

Joyeux Noel

I bought Joyeux Noel because there is not much media out there for the WWI period.

Joyeux Noel was a ‘nice’ though not ‘great’ subtitled movie. If you are a follower of WWI history, this fictional story about an actual event is worth while. There is very little else out there about this almost forgotten world war.

Like most Euro movies, Joyeux Noel devotes its attention to the subtleties of character development and leaves the special effects fireworks to Hollywood. That’s just as well since there is probably little even special effects could have done to illuminate the horrific carnage that took the lives of nine million combatants.

By the end of the movie you actually cared about what happened to the characters. You are introduced to the characters in their pre-war circumstances and the bigotry prevelant in their respective cultures. You learn to appreciate the predicament of these minor players in a global war whose individual need for human connection flew in the face of their superiors’ demand for hatred of their enemy. You understand the feeling that their little role in the larger war was unnatural to them and that those hosting the war cannot tolerate such feelings. It might have been a more satisfying ending if the story teller told you what happened to each of the main characters.

Uniforms, weapons and tactics seemed accurate to my understanding. The only detail that bothered me was the cleanliness of these people living in front line trenches. Occasional references to lice notwithstanding, most characters seemed presentable enough for parade rather than like they had been living among the dead in mud filled trenches. Maybe the Producers’ contract with the costume supplier required the return of the uniforms unsoiled. I don’t believe this detracts from the overall story.

Joyeux Noel is a nice movie worth watching more than once to see what you missed while reading the subtitles the first time.Read full review...

Excellent movie based on real events

This movie is based on an even that actually happened during the First World War. At Christmas 1914, there was a unofficial truce between some units of the warring nations. The men forgot about killing each other for a time and came out into no man's land to exchange greetings, gifts and play even some soccer. The Generals on both sides were horrified and thought that if they could just stop by themselves would they all decide by themselves to go home and quit the war. That could not be tolerated and the offenders were harshly dealt with.

A moving story and well worth the watching. The details of the sets, costumes, script and props make it more than worth the effort. I originally saw this film while deployed to Afghanistan and recommend it highly. Enjoy :-)Read full review...

Joyeux Noel

I first heard of this story years ago when John McCutcheon sang "Christmas In The Trenches". In his Live at Wolftrap recording, he speaks of very old German men who came to hear him because they were there. When I first heard it I knew that is was real. It had that feel about it that it surely must have happenend and sure enough, there are historical facts to back this up. That said, it is also a good telling of the story. War can bring out the best and worst in people. This story shows that when you break down the barriers that are erected to enable one side to fight against another, the will to fight is also broken down - which is probably why the fraternizing with the enemy law was established. I enjoyed it very much.Read full review...

You should buy it now...

Joyeux Noël is an awesome movie from many points of view.
First of all, it is historically speaking really well done. This is based on real facts, and has been put on screen.

Even for those who don't especially love History or "war movies", this film is absolutely great, and must be seen.

Don't wait, and buy it now !
P.S : Trailers are available on YouTube, you should have a look ! ;)Read full review...

Good WWI movie with emphasis on individual characters vs. just a war movie.

Overall a good movie. There are some singing segments so I fast forwarded over those.

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Excellent Christmas/World War I Film

Joyeux Noel is a film about the "Christmas Truce" during the first year of World War I. I liked that the film looked at both sides of the war, Germans and Allies (Scots & French), without demonizing one or the other. It does get a little sappy in the middle, but it's a Christmas movie, a little sappiness should be expected. I have rented this film before to show portions of it to my social studies classes and figured that it would be better to own than rent.Read full review...