Merry Christmas

PG-13

2005

1 hr. 56 min.

Holiday

War

Drama

List

74%

112 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

With the advent of World War I, Europe is thrown into a brutal and vicious chaos as men are forced to kill or be killed. While blood soaks the battlefield as Christmas approaches, the men in the trenches of the Western Front face a transformation, however fleeting, toward peace and goodwill. Against all odds, four unlikely individuals from opposing sides (Diane Kruger, Benno Fürmann, Guillaume Canet, Gary Lewis) bond during this bloodless respite to experience the hope and goodness in humanity.

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Critics Consensus

The poignant humanity on display in Joyeux Noel makes its sentimentality forgivable.

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John B

Very cool story about how the spirit of Christmas allowed soldiers in war to find their common humanity.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/06/24

Full Review

Tim O

Was listening to random music server 'Xmas' tunes today, and the main theme from this came on, without lyrics, but instantly recognizable. Knew I had to queue the movie up *tonight*. I don't know if it works with the same impact, without the massive human cost and baggage, that World War I itself brings to the table. But for me, it's profoundly moving, especially this time of year... -- though my wife - and I - could do with less of the subplot with the Opera singers [grin] Films like this reinforce that _this year_, after our annual watch of 'It's a Wonderful Life', we'll be following it up with it's spiritual sequel, 'The Best Years of Our Lives'...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/18/23

Full Review

kyle v

Lacks gravitas but still an emotionally effective real life Christmas miracle story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Ken R

Illustrations of the brutality and vast inhumanity of warfare are rarely (if ever) as clearly depicted as here in this most thoughtful movie. It perfectly juxtaposes the horror of trench warfare in close proximity to your enemy, with the desperate longing for peace and family. Those pushed into combat by the selfish stupidity of the ruling classes & their petty squabbles will grasp at any offers for time out. This is movingly demonstrated on the Christmas Eve of 1914 and a most welcome opportunity to share the joy of the true Christmas message – brought about through the beauty of Christmas Carols being sung by a professional Opera singer in a German trench. What follows is the human exchange between German, French and Scottish troops as they each realize they long for the same outcome, an end to the hatred and death. Quality is obvious within all production levels, direction, casting, design, cinematography, and music; this is international filmmaking at its best. The fact it's partly based on actual historical events makes this a most worthy, enriching experience. And any who might generally shy away from sentiment, don't - as most of these men were shockingly sent to their deaths by callous generals who wanted them punished for attempting to find peace in the face of war. A powerful testament to cinematic achievement and humanity.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/24/22

Full Review

dave s

During World War 1 on Christmas Eve, German, French and Scottish soldiers call an impromptu and unauthorized truce. Rising from their trenches and meeting in no-man's land, they engage in a Christmas celebration, sharing pictures of their loved ones, singing songs, and exchanging food and drink. Based on actual events, Joyeux Noel often borders on shameless sentimentality, which is probably excusable since it is a Christmas movie, and introduces what is probably too many characters to keep track of, but it remains a touching reminder that, beneath the uniform of a soldier, we are all essentially human and that we all crave the embrace of a loved one when facing death. While it's far from perfect, its heart is certainly in the right place…and there's nothing wrong with that.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Liam D

A Powerfully told Story and worthy nominee for best foreign language film Oscar with great performances by Diane Kruger (Troy, The Infiltrator) and Daniel Brühl (The Bourne Ultimatum, Burnt)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/22

Full Review

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Christian Carion

Director

Diane Kruger

Anna Sörensen

Benno Fürmann

Nikolaus Sprink

Guillaume Canet

Lieutenant Audebert

Gary Lewis

Palmer

Dany Boon

Ponchel

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Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

[Merry Christmas] underlines all that unites us at a time when all seems to separate us.

Apr 26, 2019

Full Review

Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

Unfolding slowly, then building in momentum like the hymns themselves, this entire sequence is tremendously affecting.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 14, 2014

Full Review

Simon Crook

Empire Magazine

A vivid, quietly powerful recreation of a truly extraordinary moment in history: just not an overwhelmingly moving one.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 14, 2014

Full Review

Margaret Pomeranz

At the Movies (Australia)

It's a film with great humanism and if it's a little light on true drama or even realism it's intentions are honourable.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 14, 2014

Full Review

Melissa Levine

New Times

Except for a few missteps, the movie is so beautifully and sensitively rendered in its particulars, in its characterizations of soldiers and officers, and in its dramatization of a nearly miraculous event, that the result is an affecting piece of cinema.

Dec 14, 2014

Full Review

Christopher Borrelli

Toledo Blade

Without an interesting point of view attached but tons of nobility to go around, it's not hard to be left with the feeling these soldiers stopped shooting at each other because, well, "Silent Night" is such an excellent song.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 14, 2014

Full Review

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Synopsis

With the advent of World War I, Europe is thrown into a brutal and vicious chaos as men are forced to kill or be killed. While blood soaks the battlefield as Christmas approaches, the men in the trenches of the Western Front face a transformation, however fleeting, toward peace and goodwill. Against all odds, four unlikely individuals from opposing sides (Diane Kruger, Benno Fürmann, Guillaume Canet, Gary Lewis) bond during this bloodless respite to experience the hope and goodness in humanity.

Director: Christian Carion
Screenwriter: Christian Carion
Production Co: Artemis Productions, Nord-Express Productions [fr], Senator Film Produktion GmbH
Rating: PG-13 (Some War Violence|Brief Sexuality/Nudity)
Genre: Holiday, War, Drama
Original Language: English
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Mar 3, 2006
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2011
Sound Mix: Dolby

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