Customer Reviews

Silent Night

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I wasn't at the Battle of the Bulge, the last great battle of World War II whose little-known and unknown byways form the locale of this true-life story, but SILENT NIGHT is, in its way, as evocative and illuminating of this momentous event in history as its far-better-known counterpart, the 1949 front-line combat film, BATTLEGROUND.

Rather than concentrating on the fierce, frozen struggle that the Bulge certainly was -- leaving as it did, thousands of Americans and Germans dead in the dark, snowy Huertgen Forest during that brutal winter of 1944-'45 -- SILENT NIGHT deals with the intertwined universality of soldiers' longing for home, a war-weary German mother's longing for peace in her own home, and her little boy's desperate need for a sign that the world he'll inherit might be filled by something other than the hollow, ranted slogans of the Hitler Youth.

The performances, especially those of Linda Hamilton, as the frightened, yet determined, Frau Vincken, and the young men who play the GI's and Wehrmacht infantrymen, convincingly convey the snow-blanched weariness and wariness that surely contributed to the real participants' touch-and-go attempt to lay aside their arms for one last wartime Christmas, as a sign that their world may have tired of its madness.

Also utterly convincing, by the way, is the film's depiction of the snowbound German landscape -- photographed, as I understand it, in Quebec in the height of summer!

Too often during the holidays, we are bombarded with sugary sweet films with adorable kids and silly stories. This is not one of those, but instead is an intelligent and touching memoir of an exceptional and true night in the life of a young boy and his mother. Well acted and well written, Silent Night tells the story of a woman's struggle to keep peace in her mountain cabin during a Christmas Eve when several American and German soldiers find their way to her door. She not only manages to do that, but during the evening, she reaches the heart of each of her guests, stirring their humanity and their wishes for the end of the war. As they share their meal, they share bits of their 'real' lives with each other and begin to see each other as men, not just enemies. Linda Hamilton is excellent as the mother and leads a solid cast in this wonderful and warm story. Highly recommended for all members of the family.

I, too, stumbled upon this gem one evening last year & caught it near the beginning. Meaning to return to my orginal program, I found I could not turn away. The characters are believable and well-acted, the plot is a welcome reminder to what the true meaning of Christmas should be...peace on earth and good will to all. I hope Hallmark will consider marketing this classic to a broader audience.

The message of SILENT NIGHT is the meaning of Christmas itself: compassion and caring overcoming hatred and hostility. As a history teacher and a human being I highly recommend this movie.

The plot is riveting, the characters are real, the setting is wonderful, and the theme will touch your heart to a depth that no sugary-sweet traditional Christmas film can.

The producers, director, actors and crew created a movie that you will remember for years after you watch it. It is well worth your time and money.

SILENT NIGHT is a thoughtful movie, in the truest sense of the word. This true story depicts one woman's amazing strength of character, several soldiers' personal struggles between duty and human kindness and an eventful Christmas Eve one boy never forgot. Very well written; strong performance by Linda Hamilton. Highly recommended.

We all get used to the funny Santa slapstick films that come out at Christmas, but this film reminds us of the deeper meaning of the season. Although Chirstmas is a time of coming together, there are often petty or primary tensions and arguments that tear us apart at the very time we would like to be close.
Framed in a time of war, this story tells the tale of a mother and son who help a group of soldiers reclaim the brotherhood we all share, despite harsh circumstances. Her courage and strength help them to put aside the war and rejoice at the triumph of the spirit.
This movie is highly recommended .

I would highly recommend this movie. "Silent Night" tells the true story of a mother and son who find themselves hosting a group of American and German soldiers in their mountain cabin on Christmas Eve. The struggle to find common ground and to see one another as human beings is ultimately heartwarming and extremely gratifying. I thoroughly enjoyed "Silent Night", and my highly energetic 12 year-old daughter was able to sit still through the entire movie. The heartwarming message is a wonderful contrast to the superficial, materialistic hype our children are constantly bombarded with.

The story is wonderful,heartwarming, and inspiring. Makes me
re-evaluate the value of Christmas in the modern times which sometimes we took for granted.It shows that God works in mysterious ways, what Christ meant to everyone. I hope it would be played for Christmas over and over again.

Memorable movie experiences are lasting, morally satisfying. On first viewing, "Silent Night" is a captivating, thought-provoking experience. And it continues to be, with every subsequent viewing around Christmas time. This movie keeps the hope alive that the milk of human kindness can be shared, that humanity can survive, even in the most deadly of situations.

This is entertainment that promotes an understanding of opposite sides, between individuals, between nations. With a story that is gripping on a personal level, this movie beautifully shows how, even for just one evening, the dogs of war, the virulent ideologies and propaganda machines that drive ordinary men to kill, can be silenced by simply being human.

A strong-willed woman with her boy, her beliefs and her courage, manages to bring a small group of tensely deadlocked soldiers to remember who they really are.

Everyone who has parents and grandparents, who has or does not have kids, should see this movie. Young or old, anyone who has conflicts during family dinners and get-togethers can get an idea of how seemingly impossible deadlocks can be resolved.

Whoever has ever experienced conflict, whoever has friends and family risking their lives for the sake of a better world, will appreciate this movie.

Here you have a talented ensemble of actors providing solid, believable performances, in a well-crafted movie based on a true story. Only movies that stand the test of time deserve to be in a DVD collection. When so many movies are forgettable, "Silent Night" is one to remember.

I saw this Hallmark film on cable TV last week and was amazed by the captivating performances, not only by Linda Hamilton, but all the other actors, as well. I used to think of Linda Hamilton as a mid-stream actress, (Terminator), but I was surprised to find that she displayed incredible talent in this World War II story of a band of American and German soldiers destined to spend an evening together in her cottage. This truly is a Christmas classic and is highly emotion-charged, inspiring thoughts of what the true meaning of "loving thy brother" is. I cannot recommend this film enough, and I am more than pleased to see it available on Amazon.com. This movie transcends the typical Christmas fare of snowmen, Santa and jolly elves. It is a MUST SEE!