Joyeux Noël, two scenes
Two memorable clips from the movie Joyeux Noël (2005) set in the so-called ‘Great War’ (though there’s nothing ‘great’ about war!), centered around the true story of the Christmas Truce along the Western Front. Scottish, German and French soldiers came to an impromptu ceasefire on Christmas Eve, December 1914 during World War One, the first of many occasions soldiers laid down their arms across the trenches.
This is one moving moment in an otherwise bleak episode in modern history, in a war where around 16 million are estimated to have died, and a further 21 million wounded.
Thanks to Dave Thomson for reminding me of this scene:
For a more modern manifestation of soldiers following their conscience, take a look at some good links here, and a reminder of the mere 2 minute per week coverage the occupation and war against Iraq receives in US corporate media here.
I have wanted to see this film – thanks for the reminder!
Good to see you back in action. Happy New Year.
The UK government papers of this event are still official secrets. In 2014 we may find out more… and in 2017 we may find out something about the Balfour Declaration. That could be interesting.
Thanks, Trooper and Happy New Year. That would indeed be interesting after the lifting of the official embargoes. And incriminating of the personages involved too, I’ll wager.