Joyeux Noel

Original title: Joyeux Noël

2005
PG-13
1h 56m

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

32K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer2:03

3 Videos

79 Photos

Holiday Romance Drama History Holiday Music Romance War

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.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.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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

32K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 6 wins & 12 nominations total

Trivia
The character of the Male opera singer is based on that of German tenor Walter Kirchhoff (1879-1951), who traveled to the front in order to perform for the troops. His performance was met by cheers from the French lines, where upon he decided to climb onto no-mans-land to see who was cheering.

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.

Quotes
Horstmayer: I heard last night about your wife. If you like, I can get a letter through to her.
Lieutenant Audebert: Why would you do that? If you got caught...
Horstmayer: [scoffs] One letter won't stop us winning the war. And anyhow, when we'll have taken Paris and it's over, you can invite us for a drink in Rue Vavin.
Lieutenant Audebert: You don't have to invade Paris to drop round for a drink.

Connections
Featured in The 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards 2006 (2006)

Soundtracks
Ave Maria
Composed by Philippe Rombi
Performed by Natalie Dessay and London Symphony Orchestra

User reviews175

Review

Featured review

10/10

An excellent movie!

I was sceptical before watching this film but by the end I had tears running down my cheeks.

By depicting the feelings and destinies of the soldiers, the film demonstrated the absurdity of war and how each soldier is more than a mere cannon target. It is a commentary on the utter stupidity of politics governing war events from behind curtains while not actually experiencing the real war. By depicting a unique event in European war history that occurred on Christmas day 1914 it shows viewers that Europeans can be as one even as "enemies".

About ten years ago I watched Paul McCartney's video "Pipes of Peace" and thought that what it depicted was completely fictitious--nothing more than pacifists' dreams. I have now learned that it was true.