Joyeux Noël (DVD, 2006)

I am so angry about this purchase. The seller will not repsond to my e-mails. I don't know if they ever sent the video, but it hasn't shown up here. It has now been two months. I wondered if perhaps the wrong address had got into my profile, as I don't receive US mail to my physical address. However, this has happened on occasion to other sellers, and they have happily sent it back out to my POO Box when it was returned to them. I don't even know if this is what happened. I amjust really annoyed that I lost over twenty dollars and that I have no recourse. It makes me really doubt the value of ebay.

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.

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!!!!

I loved this movie because it was based on a true event that happened during world war 1. These soldiers wanted to be home to celebrate Christmas with their families but they ended up spending Christmas with their enemies who became "friends" on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
I bought this movie to show my students who are studying French. It is also a good movie for a history lesson about that war.

No wonder this movie received so many nods. It is a fantastic drama, and there is nothing else to say. In my book, it is a must have.

One of the best movies i have ever watched.I had never heard of the movie before so i decided to buy it and im glad i did.Instead of all the death and destruction connected to war,this movie brings the human side, the compassion,and the ability for enemys to lay down their arms for at least one day,Christmas day,and join in celebrating Christmas. Wonderful movie

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!

Realizing that the whole movie took place over a period of less than 24 hours (excluding flashbacks) I thought the movie moved fairly slowly. Thought the acting was excellent, the photography and scene set up excellent as well. It was just the story line seems to drag for me.

Well done treatise on an actual event during World War One. Because it is a dramatization one never really knows how true-to-life this film is, but on its own it is very thought provoking.
War, business, life in general - it is always the same: The pawns are made to be spent in the purchase of victory, not to share in its glory.

Superb cinematic experience. Based on true events from WWI, showing that even in the heart of battle all people have compassion. Strongly recomend.

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 ! ;)