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Merry Christmas

Play trailer Poster for Merry Christmas PG-13 2005 1h 56m Holiday War Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 112 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
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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Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express 04/26/2019
[Merry Christmas] underlines all that unites us at a time when all seems to separate us. Go to Full Review
Rick Groen Globe and Mail 12/14/2014
3/4
Unfolding slowly, then building in momentum like the hymns themselves, this entire sequence is tremendously affecting. Go to Full Review
Simon Crook Empire Magazine 12/14/2014
3/5
A vivid, quietly powerful recreation of a truly extraordinary moment in history: just not an overwhelmingly moving one. Go to Full Review
Joseph Tomastik Loud and Clear Reviews 11/03/2024
4.5/5
To my knowledge, there has never been a story that better shows how powerful the holiday in and of itself is than Joyeux Noël. Go to Full Review
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Kyle M Jan 6 The “goodwill toward men” ideal was truly embraced briefly amid WWI in what could be considered a factually bizarre turn of events wherein humanity display actually comes forth in front of militaria triggers. Both a satisfying dramatization and continuous thought-provoking endorsement that questions the higher authorities’ sense of power disabling any sort of humane empathy that was arguably witnessed amongst the fraternized men from both sides of the fight, and that’s where the actual honor lies. (B+) See more Dave P Dec 23 A highly underrated Christmas movie with a powerful message of peace See more Mark J Dec 17 One I like to watch each year but would definitely recommend everyone see it once at least. Probably a very romanticised version of what actually happened but a nice story. Felt they could have shortened it slightly to help with pacing. See more John B 01/06/2024 Very cool story about how the spirit of Christmas allowed soldiers in war to find their common humanity. See more Tim O 12/18/2023 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'... See more kyle v 12/22/2022 Lacks gravitas but still an emotionally effective real life Christmas miracle story. See more Read all reviews
Merry Christmas

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Christophe Rossignon
Screenwriter
Christian Carion
Production Co
Artemis Productions, Senator Film Produktion GmbH, Nord-Express Productions [fr]
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
Runtime
1h 56m
Sound Mix
Dolby
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