Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

H_Mahran I fell in love with this unique piece of art, it is really touching, humane, artistic, ethical, aesthetical and entertaining. it doesn't just immortalize the true and honored story of "The Christmas Truce" of 1914 during the World War I, but gives a lesson about humanity and how pure morals could be spoilt by the war machine and by the widespread of ignorant hatred, I loved how the first scene resembled three school children from France, England and Germany all repeating a memorized speech of hatred against the other nations then the film ended with three scenes of the three supposedly confronting armies rejecting hatred and returning to their regular state of humanity. P.S. I liked that the commander of the German troops was a Jew that's married to a French woman, and I liked that everyone spoke his own language, it affirmed the message of accepting people's diversity.

GusF Based on the Christmas truce of 1914, this is an excellent, thought- provoking and often very moving film with a powerful message of humanity. Contrary to the propaganda at the time and, in some cases (rather worryingly), more recently, the First World War was not fought for the sake of freedom. It was fought for the sake of the vaulting ambition of imperialists on both sides. There was not a great difference between fighting for Liberty, Equality, Fraternity / King and Country or Kaiser and the Fatherland, something which is illustrated very effectively throughout the film. As in reality, the British, French and German political and military leaders in their ivory towers came down very hard on their subordinates when they learned of the truce. There is one rather unbelievable development but the film is otherwise very well written and directed by Christian Carion. This is the first French film that I have seen but only about a third of it was actually in French with the remainder being in English or German. It was a co-production with Britain, Germany, Belgium and Romania, which is rather appropriate given the film's positive attitude towards international cooperation.Daniel Brühl, one of the few actors in the film with whom I was already familiar, gives the best performance as the German Lieutenant Horstmayer. The commander of the German 93rd Infantry Regiment may be a bit of a slow-burner compared to some of the other characters but he eventually develops into the most interesting character in the film. Horstmayer initially seems to be the stereotypical German military marionette. However, he is shown to be a good and decent man when he agrees to the Christmas Eve ceasefire with the Scots and the French. Although he is Jewish, he is deeply moved by the impromptu Christian service held in No Man's Land and involving soldiers from all three nationalities. He is initially contemptuous of the tenor turned private Nikolaus Sprink, played quite well by Benno Fürmann, but he warms to him after the truce. Horstmayer often speaks lovingly of his wife of two years, something to which the Scottish and French can relate, and in a poignant moment it is revealed that she is French.Guillaume Canet is likewise excellent as Horstmayer's French counterpart Lieutenant Camille René Audebert. In his first scene, he is as apprehensive as his men prior to a major assault on the German trenches, becoming physically sick as he has been through it before and knows just what to expect. However, this is not the only thing that he is worried about as his wife is living in Lens in the occupied part of France and he has not had contact with her in months. She was heavily pregnant when they last spoke and he does not even know whether she has given birth to a boy or a girl. Audebert has a nice relationship with his aide-de-comp Private Ponchel, who starts out as a comic relief character but has one of the most moving scenes in the film when he describes his daily ritual of 10 o'clock coffee with his beloved mother. Danny Boon excels as Ponchel, displaying a flair for both drama and comedy. During the truce, Audebert and Horstmayer seem to bond more than any of the other soldiers and it is suggested that the two would have been friends if they had met before the war. Carion announced recently that is thinking of a sequel focussing on the two of them after the war and I really hope that he does make it as it is an excellent idea. There are so many things that could be explored, not least the discrimination that Horstmayer would face as a Jew once the Nazis rose to power.Canet's then wife Diane Kruger has the only substantial role of any woman in the film as Sprink's fiancée and fellow opera star Anna Sørensen from neutral Denmark. While Kruger is a wonderful actress, I found it incredibly hard to believe that a woman would have been allowed into the trenches under any circumstances in 1914. She does have a pass from Kaiser Wilhelm II but this is merely a plot device designed to make it seem plausible. Carion was essentially trying to shoehorn a woman into the plot so that it would not be entirely male dominated but it does not work at all as it just rings false. I would have preferred it if they had kept the exploration of the pain of separation from loved ones more subtle, as in the examples that I mentioned earlier. The film also has strong performances from Gary Lewis as the Scottish priest Father Palmer, Steven Roberston as Jonathan, Alex Ferns as Lt. Gordon, Bernard Le Coq as the French general (whose identity I correctly guessed), Ian Richardson as the jingoistic, racist Bishop and Thomas Schmauser as the German heir apparent Crown Prince Wilhelm, the only historical character in the film.Overall, this is an excellent anti-war film which illustrates that people are basically the same in spite of national borders and different languages. In that sense, it is surprisingly upbeat and perhaps even a little life affirming. For the season that's in it and given the subject matter, I feel that it is appropriate to wish a Joyeux Noël, Frohe Weihnachten and Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates it and peace and goodwill to everyone else.

Errington_92 Set during the Christmas truce in the early stages of WWI, Joyeux Noel presents humanity to the extent of sentimentality, revealed as a fragile entity which should never horrifically suffer. Despite its dire setting in battle trenches Joyeux Noel focused upon the personal events intertwining the characters emotions and relationships at a time ironically defined as the most wonderful time of the year.The use of juxtapositions is a recurring device which brings to attention both extremes of humanity. Still images of the life's wonders such as a merry gathering and relaxing by a lakeside become quickly distorted with the eloquent technique of using children to speak destructive words. "We must exterminate that race" was a response from an English boy, his expression and our acknowledgment of history during the last century was clearly meant to horrify us as a foreboding to humanity's cynical actions as witnessed during the emotional distance soldiers place against their enemies and to some extent their own companions.Yet the juxtapositions strike an emotive chord for the unity of humanity. Joyeux Noel's exceptional inclusion of tenor singing, a remarkable talent which one can only respond in appreciation, is skilfully used to portray the remnants of human beauty left from the onslaught of war. The striking manner of the tenor's voice sets off a mutual respect from all sides of the battlefield as he walks along no man's land as a symbol of unity through music which all humans enjoy. Although sentimentally it can be seen as overblown it is nevertheless effective in its intentions and makes for great drama in the latter stages as the attempt to regain humanity with one another is tragically halted.The humanity theme is also enhanced by the acting's sincerity. All principle actors offer truthfulness to their characters particularly in the earnest relationship between Nikolaus (Benno Furmann) and Anne (Diane Kruger) as the war halts their companionship and Gary Lewis as Father Palmer, a Priest struggling with his faith in the horrors of war. Such complications are worn out clichés in cinema but each actor invests their emotions in making Joyeux Noel heartfelt and worthy of dignity.

theindustry 'Joyeux Noel' is really a wonderful film. It is true in its historiography of the Christmas Truce of 1914 that happened in Ypres, Belgium; an event that revealed that friendship, music, and humanity really do mute the belligerent sentiments of war.I had little idea of the plot before I saw 'Joyeux Noel.' I thought it might have been yet another World War I epic. For the most part I was right; it is a marvelous WWI epic, but it is dissimilar to all the others. The military ideal of patriotism that is so often saluted in war epics, is belittled in front of the incredible humanity and comradeship that the soldiers showed. I was simply enthralled at what I was seeing: soldiers from three different trenches were sharing champagne, playing soccer, and attending the same Christmas Mass. They were collectively committing high treason, while celebrating a friendship that had no geopolitical borders.Christian Carion's "Joyeux Noel" has enlightened audiences across the globe. This is a marvelous ode to the brave soldiers of WWI who chose to toast together and break bread in a Christmas truce, rather than obey the warmongering orders of high command. It makes us understand the universality of our human experiences, despite wartime propaganda and nationalist sentiments.The acting was superb by the German, French and Scottish actors, and the music was beautifully executed in the spirit of the times. Congratulations to those involved in making this inspiring film a reality. This visually and sonically captivating picture will make you think, make you laugh, and will make you cry.If you have yet to see "Joyeux Noel," definitely consider renting this astounding epic. Seeing it will make you a better person.Enjoy!