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 Unforgetable Message! Jan 31, 2010
This is one of those stories that is unforgetable. I bought it for a friend of mine who is a retired military. The story involves three bunkers of front line troops: Germans, French and Scots in WWI. You see the lives of key players before they are inducted into service; some are volunteers and others are not. You know each personal journey before the story's challenge begins. The message of the story revolves around Christmas Eve and every one's loneliness. Some are just a few miles away from their homes. Each bunker has a unique way that they are trying to celebrate. Curiosity starts to take over as each bunker's close proximity reveals a startling commonality...different languages but same music. As they reach out to each other, the leaders start to take risks, too. Some of the scenes are unforgetable and so spiritually touching. A high price is paid for their 24 hour truce and heartfelt actions. Core integrity and morality are put to the test and each makes his choice. If you like true stories with morals to them, this one is a big winner. It turns out that there was more than one group that fateful night that broke down the barriers of hate in the name of peace.
0 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Good history destroyed by bad representation Jan 28, 2010
This movie had potential. However, it took a great story and then played loose and free with the facts. If they had stuck with the actual events, the film would have been just as interesting as any fictitious stories invented by the producers. O.k., that addresses the plot and story....... The technical advisor really screwed up with the uniforms. Every German general is shown with an open collar. Wrong, wrong, wrong. All German tunics in this period buttoned to the neck --- period! They never wore open tunic collars. You cannot find a photo of an open collar on a general who was properly dressed. Not only does it look sloppy, it is factually incorrect. A simple check with a competent military historical advisor would have solved this error. Bottom Line: This film is slightly entertaining but could have been an excellent film with a little more effort.
 Beautiful Jan 12, 2010
The thing I love most about Christmas is the act of giving but not to your immediate family but anyone who is in need. Its this magical day where people forget their cultural backgrounds and hatred against each other and just celebrate together. I know this not only sounds cliche but very idealistic but yet there was a moment in time when three fighting nations stopped their hatred for each other and at least momentarily became friends and I can not think of anything more inspiring, symbolic, significant and miraculous than this.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Incredibly brilliant film Jan 01, 2010
The setting for this film is Christmas Eve ninety-five years ago on one of the many battlefronts in existence in Europe during the first world war. The grueling trench scenes depicted during the opening sequences of this film, based on true events, gradually give way to the fraternizing of French, German, and Scottish troops - first with an agreement between officers to bury the dead together - that quickly escalates into joining together to celebrate Christmas Eve. Bagpipe music and song from opposing sides is what initiates this event, and the many subsequent subplots make for an extremely moving story that show not only what separates mankind, but what can unify individuals from different backgrounds, even in time of war. Of course, politically speaking this battlefront fraternizing was risky, and a conversation that takes place between two of the lead characters during the closing scenes of this film illustrates quite plainly how feelings amongst the troops were torn between this view and those experienced during the Christmas Eve mass held on the battlefront between the three opposing sides:
"If public opinion hears of this..."
"Have no fear, no one here will tell."
"I hope not! Who'd want to?"
"Want to? The men involved feel no shame. If they won't tell, it's because no one would believe or understand."
"I don't understand you. Carousing with the enemy while the country's partly occupied!"
"The country? What does it know of what we suffer here? Of what we do without complaint? Let me tell you, I felt closer to the Germans than to those who cry 'Kill the Krauts!' before their stuffed turkey!"
"You're talking nonsense."
"No, you're just not living the same war as me. Or as those on the other side."
This is quite simply one of the best films ever made that shows the struggle that often exists between individuals due to differing political and ethnic backgrounds, and the battlefront setting magnifies this struggle due to military orders and religious convictions. Some of the other reviews here written shortly after this film was released a few years ago share their thoughts on how this film was especially meaningful to them given the fact that the United States is currently at war. While it is not clear how fraternizing of the type shown in this film might ensue since opposing sides lack a common culture, this reviewer imagines what this might look like if it were possible. Incredibly brilliant film.
Incredibly brilliant film Jan 01, 2010
The setting for this film is Christmas Eve ninety-five years ago on one of the many battlefronts in existence in Europe during the first world war. The grueling trench scenes depicted during the opening sequences of this film, based on true events, gradually give way to the fraternizing of French, German, and Scottish troops - first with an agreement between officers to bury the dead together - that quickly escalates into joining together to celebrate Christmas Eve. Bagpipe music and song from opposing sides is what initiates this event, and the many subsequent subplots make for an extremely moving story that show not only what separates mankind, but what can unify individuals from different backgrounds, even in time of war. Of course, politically speaking this battlefront fraternizing was risky, and a conversation that takes place between two of the lead characters during the closing scenes of this film illustrates quite plainly how feelings amongst the troops were torn between this view and those experienced during the Christmas Eve mass held on the battlefront between the three opposing sides:
"If public opinion hears of this..."
"Have no fear, no one here will tell."
"I hope not! Who'd want to?"
"Want to? The men involved feel no shame. If they won't tell, it's because no one would believe or understand."
"I don't understand you. Carousing with the enemy while the country's partly occupied!"
"The country? What does it know of what we suffer here? Of what we do without complaint? Let me tell you, I felt closer to the Germans than to those who cry 'Kill the Krauts!' before their stuffed turkey!"
"You're talking nonsense."
"No, you're just not living the same war as me. Or as those on the other side."
This is quite simply one of the best films ever made that shows the struggle that often exists between individuals due to differing political and ethnic backgrounds, and the battlefront setting magnifies this struggle due to military orders and religious convictions. Some of the other reviews here written shortly after this film was released a few years ago share their thoughts on how this film was especially meaningful to them given the fact that the United States is currently at war. While it is not clear how fraternizing of the type shown in this film might ensue since opposing sides lack a common culture, this reviewer imagines what this might look like if it were possible. Incredibly brilliant film.
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