Historical war films, like Lawrence of Arabia or Bridge on the River Kwai, use the specific stories that they are based on to tell a story. Sometimes these films can be accused of being full of inaccuracies of what did or didn't happen. I think that's why films about widespread events appeal to me so much, no one can come along and say that didn't happen.
Joyeux Noël tells a fictionalised account of the Christmas Truce of 1914. During the stalemate that is happening on the front line, soldiers from the German, French and Scottish armies decide to take part in a ceasefire that lasts into Christmas Day. Among the soldiers is German tenor Nikolaus Sprink (Benno Fürmann), his wife Anna Sörenson (Diane Kruger), Scottish priest Father Palmer (Gary Lewis) and French Lieutenant Audebert (Guilliame Canet). During the ceasefire, the men play football, share stories and drink with one another.
While troops across the Western Front all did enjoy a ceasefire on Christmas Day 1914, this particular story does have a tiny bit of truth to it. Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany did send a tenor to the front to cheer up the troops and the French did applaud his singing, but that's about as far as the reality stretches. The battle scenes early on also do capture the futility of trench warfare.
This movie isn't really a performance driven film, instead focusing on the breaking down of barriers during wartime. That doesn't mean that there aren't standout performances, however. The three leaders of the troops, Alex Ferns, Guilliame Canet and Daniel Brühl (the German lieutenant) all give stellar performances, as does Gary Lewis and Dany Boon, who gives some much needed comic relief.
Verdict: If you're going to watch any Christmas movie this year, I would suggest you do away with watching Die Hard, Christmas Vacation or even The Muppets Christmas Carol and watch a movie that has some feeling to it.
This movie isn't really a performance driven film, instead focusing on the breaking down of barriers during wartime. That doesn't mean that there aren't standout performances, however. The three leaders of the troops, Alex Ferns, Guilliame Canet and Daniel Brühl (the German lieutenant) all give stellar performances, as does Gary Lewis and Dany Boon, who gives some much needed comic relief.
Verdict: If you're going to watch any Christmas movie this year, I would suggest you do away with watching Die Hard, Christmas Vacation or even The Muppets Christmas Carol and watch a movie that has some feeling to it.
Fact check. There was no “Scottish” army. It was the British army. Having said that, a good review for a good film.
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