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The world is at war and on the battlefront, the allied nations (France, England, Scotland and
Belgium) are engaged in a furious battle against the Austrio-Germanic forces. Along the trenches, savage attacks and counter-attacks offensive maneuvers are the order of the
day.
The dead bodies of the various national combatants litter no man's land between the contending forces. Fear, hatred, revenge and a lust for killing rule the heart of every soldier in that cold, winter December day at the height of World War 1. But on the eve of Christmas in what the French call, 'Joyeux Noel', a miracle happens as a result of an initiative of a very beautiful opera singer, Ms. Anna Sorensen (Diane Kruger) who got a permit from Prussian Crown Prince to allow her and her soldier partner, tenor Nikolaus Sprink (Benno Furmann) to sing to the troops. Nikolaus, having sang at Headquarters, couldn't bear not to give a Christmas cheer to his own comrades at the front. He and Anna defy a Command Order and sudden death to sing carols right where the fighting is most intense. But soldiers on both hearing the familiar Christmas songs of love, peace and joy join in the singing and remember the occasion. A cease-fire is declared and hostilities and differences are laid aside to celebrate Christmas.
This is a cinematic Christmas gift of technical excellence that could be a treat to the entire
family. It is also a much needed inspirational true story based on the letter accounts of the soldier-combatants, compiled, revealed and shown for the first time on screen
by writer-director Christian Carion. This multi-country European production is the French entry to the best foreign language film category in this year's Oscar Awards.
Credit must be given to the director and actors for giving compelling individual character portraits making each person come alive, including those doing smaller roles. With a cast of Scottish, German and French actors all speaking in their own mother tongue, Carion has created a deeply moving and uplifting piece that will not leave your eyes dry for long.
In our war-torn terrorist milieu, this parable from real life delivers a timeless message of love
and fraternity among all men and women.
In the midst of battlefield horrors and savagery, men could transcend their beastliness to find their common humanity. Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, could bring all men, nations and contending forces, spiritual or otherwise, to seek and find common grounds and hope for a peaceful solution to conflicts and differences. As we celebrate another Christmas, 2005 years after the birth of our incarnated God and 90 years after the end of World War 1, world peace remains elusive. Scenes of great bravery, simple decency and extraordinary humor in
Merry Christmas remind us that love, peace and harmony are not only possible, but worth giving a try. Everything else is vanity and dust.
(Date Reviewed: 02 December 2005)
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