Joyeux Noël (2005)

Director:

Christian Carion

Writer:

Christian Carion (written by)

Release Date:

9 November 2005 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Music | Romance | War

Tagline:

Without an enemy there can be no war.

Plot:

On Christmas Eve during world War I, the Germans, French, and Scottish are trying to make peace, so they bury their dead and play football.

Plot Keywords:

German | Scottish | French | Christmas | Truce

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Diane Kruger	...	Anna Sörensen (as Diane Krüger)
Natalie Dessay	...	Anna Sörensen (singing voice)
Benno Fürmann	...	Nikolaus Sprink
Rolando Villazón	...	Nikolaus Sprink (singing voice) (as Rolando Villazon)
Guillaume Canet	...	Audebert
Gary Lewis	...	Palmer
Dany Boon	...	Ponchel
Daniel Brühl	...	Horstmayer
Lucas Belvaux	...	Gueusselin
Alex Ferns	...	Gordon
Steven Robertson	...	Jonathan
Frank Witter	...	Jörg
Bernard Le Coq	...	Le général
Ian Richardson	...	L'évêque
Thomas Schmauser	...	Le Kronprinz

Also Known As:

Merry Christmas (UK) (USA)
Happy Christmas (International: English title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 on appeal for some war violence and a brief scene of sexuality/nudity.

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

France | Germany | UK | Belgium | Romania

Language:

French | German | English | Latin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Australia:M | Ireland:12A | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 | Singapore:M18 | Norway:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Singapore:PG (edited version) | Finland:K-11 | USA:PG-13 (re-rating on appeal) | Malaysia:(Banned) | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 | Sweden:11 | Portugal:M/12 | USA:R (originial rating) | UK:12 (video release) | UK:12A (theatrical release) | Germany:12 (f) | South Korea:15 | Brazil:14

Filming Locations:

France

Company:

Nord-Ouest Productions

Trivia:

When Lieutenant Audebert (Guillaume Canet) compliments Horstmayer (Daniel Brühl) on his French, Horstmayer replies, "No honor in that; your wife is not German." At the time, Guillaume Canet was married to German actress Diane Kruger, who also starred in the film.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the film the musical exchange is prompted by the Scottish troops: in reality, most incidents began with the German troops singing carols from their trenches (but not exposing themselves to the enemy - both sides remained in their trenches) with the opposing troops countering with carols of their own. Since the film claims to be a historically accurate account of the events, this is a major historical error.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Enfant francais: Child, upon these maps do heed This black stain to be effaced Omitting it, you would proceed Yet better it in red to trace Later, whatever may come to pass Promise there to go you must To fetch the children of Alsace Reaching out their arms to us May in our fondest France Hope's green saplings to branch And in you, dear child, flower Grow, grow, France awaits its hour.
Enfant anglais: To rid the map of every trace Of Germany and of the Hun We must exterminate that race We must not leave a single one Heed not their children's cries Best slay all now, the women, too Or else someday again they'll rise Which if they're dead, they cannot do.
[...]

Movie Connections:

References "Canapé" (1997)

Soundtrack:

I'm Dreaming of Home

Joyeux Noël - Marry Christmas

As I invited a friend with me to watch this movie, I had very low expectations. I usually don't like French movies, and I don't like war movies. At the beginning of Joyeux Noël, the director of the film said that it was based on a true story and that he wished that if we liked the movie, that we would tell everyone about it and recommend it. And so I will! One can't usually laugh of a war movie, but I did. It was filled with much humor, and I found it very amusing! The cat, the music, the people -it was all very incredible, and I will give you my word that I will buy this movie on DVD -it's already on my wish list!!! I recommend everyone to take a look at this significant movie! -Jeanett Stykket, Oslo, Norway