Truth is not only stranger than fiction. It is also more heart-warming. The true story of this historical night -- the likes of which was surely not seen before and not seen since to my knowledge -- is a greater and more beautiful happening than much of this fictional account. The introduction of a made-up couple of opera singers -- one of which is a woman -- who make their way to the trenches on Christmas Eve was the absolute worst intrusion and is extremely jarring. It did not happen, and it does a disservice, in my view, to the men who suffered on all sides of those trenches that long ago night and yet were able to find within themselves love of their fellow man across that no-man's land -- it trivialized a profound situation. The first half of the film is The Notebook version of this event -- and THAT film is virtually unwatchable, in my view. Once I got over that, and other smaller made-up touches -- I was mesmerized by the fine performances that we have come to expect from the likes of Daniel Brühl, Guillaume Canet, Gary Lewis. These standout performances -- indeed, the characterization of all the soldiers and their officers in the trenches that night -- enrich an otherwise soap opera version of history and account, I believe, for the success of this film and the awards it garnered. The authentic spirit of the occasion is preserved within their interpretation of the truth, and the audience is carried along on a wave of emotion. Another truth that is stranger than fiction -- I cry pretty much every time throughout the second half of the film. So who's listening to me!?!

One of the best war movies made, probably the best WWI movie. The story of the unofficial Christmas cease fire along the trenches in France, follows the stories of French, German and Scottish battalions as they reach an agreement (not sanctioned by the governments of any nations involved) on Xmas Eve 1914 to hold hostilities, bury their dead and even indulge a bit of holiday cheer. Unfortunately the fraternization results in intelligence breaches and severe penalties are handed out: the Scots and French are sent to Verdun to be slaughtered and the Germans off the to Russian front lines.
A glimpse at what life in the trenches was like for the soldiers, and it ain’t good. Even Adolf Hitler thought trench warfare was utterly barbaric and all soldiers deserved better.
The final scene of the Germans being dispatched to Russia but singing the Scottish song they had been taught during the cease fire is a tear jerker for sure. 5/5 stars.

In a time when the USA seems as divided as it was during the Civil War, everyone needs to watch this and remember our humanity is what we have in common. Beautiful film. I was in tears, and that rarely happens.

Holy crap! My husband and I have different taste movies. I like good movies, and he likes boring movies. So I put off watching this for years. I've fallen into his trap before and wanted those two hours of my life back.

But this movie redeemed him. It's amazing!!!! We watch it every Christmas season!

I bought this video to learn more about WW1 and compare it to my grandfather's stories, a German foot soldier . What was not brought out in the film was that these German soldiers and the opposing forces), during the iciest times in the winter 1916, (not just over Christmas) were boarded with Russian families, at least in Koslova Ruda, when all fighting had to stop. During these weeks my grandfather created the most beautiful pencil drawings (of people he was boarding with) that somehow survived the treck with him. My family here in USA and in Germany have these now framed and treasured drawings. The 3 bust drawings that I have are of an old bearded man studying the Thalmud, a Russian girl and a of proud Russian soldier. The soldier of any stripe saw foremost the human being -something that also came through in Joyeux Noel.

World politics got you down? These guys are the meat and potatoes of war and look how they act, watch how they give a whole new meaning to "respect the lives of others," and revel in how a future world might be again as kind and caring as one of the past.

A beautiful film that gives you hope for society--and some tips on how to be the change you want to see in the world.

Okay, so it’s a War Movie. Forget about the war. It’s a Human movie. Having served in the military and missed a lot of Christmases, this movie just gets to me.

What a tremendously wonderful movie; an act of humanity so rarely seen n the battlefield. And this movie captured it very well, as it is based on the actual event; the first Christmas of WWI. With that, I highly recommend watching this movie.

PS. I've developed an annual tradition of eating a chocolate from Sainsbury's after watching an equally beautiful commercial from them, on the same event. I will snack on Sainsbury's as I watch the above movie.