UNCUT | Joyeux Noel (2005) Movie Reaction

I'm so glad you enjoyed the film! It's the movie I watch every year with my family as our 'Christmas tradition' movie. Things about the movie: All wars are pointless, but World War I was one of the most pointless ones out there. You did have treaties, but for 2 decades before the war, the nations all were engaged in an 'arms race' - developing the largest amount, the most advanced weapons the fastest. (Helped by The Industrial Revolution happening). The treaties kind of just allowed them to act like kids on a playground 'I have the best toy (weapon)'. On the Front especially, hundreds of thousands of lives on both sides were lost for sometimes as little as a foot of land that would just 'trade' back and forth. By the end, it wasn't a snide remark - it was Horstmayer's way of sharing vulnerability 'My wife is French & I'm being forced to fight against her nation & people.' The characters & some situations are fictional & dramatized, but based off the real life event. It was actually all along the front even through New Years. In fact, through the Vietnam War soldiers in wars would agree to Christmas Truces - not necessarily hang out together, but agree not to fight on Christmas. World War I is fascinating in general. One thing that isn't fiction is the cat. There actually was a cat that would deliver messages back-and-forth between sides. Not only was the cat arrested for high treason, it was found guilty by a military trial and given a military execution. As for religion - oh you sweet summer child. Religions often call for violence. Unlike Father Palmer, priests would deliberately join the army in order to preach & encourage men to sign up & fight. I'm Jewish & grew up 'frum' (religious). A main thing learned is about Amalek - the 'enemy nation' of the Jews. King Saul was supposed to enact complete genocide on Amalek (yes including women & children), but spared the opposing king. This allowed Amalek to continue which caused Haman (from the story of Purim) to be born & threaten the lives of all Jews again. It's actually taught that everyone from Amalek, including women & children, should be killed 'so it won't have to be done again' (like the Bishop says in the film). Suffice it to say, it's something I very much don't agree with & actively dislike. But yes - it's a hidden gem of a film that not nearly enough people know about. The chemistry & acting of all the characters is top-notch. And of course the story is great. At a time when Man was not only expected, but encouraged, to do the worst you can to each other -- these men chose to trust & believe in the best of Humanity. (Jonathan himself is a tragic figure, who couldn't get past his brother's death & isolated himself in his rage & grief).

Chani Elkin