Joyeux Noel

Aroview: Fact-based WWI drama centred around how, on Christmas Eve, 1914, opposing French, German and British soldiers called a temporary ceasefire amid the trenches and joined each other for a game of soccer, swapping tales, drinks and songs, before being swept back into the horror of combat.

Sincerely humantistic in his intentions, dir. Carion coaxes nice performances from all his international cast, particularly Bruhl (THE EDUKATORS) and Kruger. Although not quite matching the emotional depth of GRANDE ILLUSION or ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (one romantic subplot is rather tritely handled), this can stand proudly on the next rung down in its convincing opposition to the war-mongering impulse.

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