Peter Capaldi Reads A Captain's World War One Letter From The Christmas Truce, 1914

[@JediPhoenix1976]

"It never happened again, any war, anywhere. But for one day, one Christmas, a very long time ago, everyone just put down their weapons and started to sing. Everybody just stopped. Everyone was just kind."

[@austintyler7901]

Don't know this man. Have no clue why he may or not be known, or why he has a stage. But he, without a doubt, understands the human condition and encapsulates what an actor is meant to be.

[@melodymsg]

Austin Tyler well his most notable role is the Doctor, and funnily enough his character’s outing ended with the Christmas armistice

[@Kukkakukko]

He is MY Doctor and I did not know this was a thing, actors reading letters from war, but daaaaaaamn this was good

[@InDzienInTampa]

That man...is The Doctor.

[@DrTucker]

There are some points when you can clearly see Capaldi is trying really hard to fight back tears, hell, even his voice broke at some parts! Thanks for being my Doctor and Merry Christmas!

[@marka4891]

For anyone wondering, Captain Armes did, in fact, survive the war.

[@900Dylan]

I can listen to him for hours and hours. He has such a great voice.

[@gabrielluis3344]

Dylan van der schoot That's exactly what he said about Jon Pertwee! It's funny we feel the exact same thing about him :D

[@AJB9806]

I could listen to Peter read the phone book and I would laugh, cry, and rejoice. What a voice. What an actor. What a man.

[@stewartseyfried]

24th December 1914.. I've just been through one of the most extraordinary scenes imaginable. Tonight is Christmas Eve and I came up into the trenches this evening for my tour of duty in them. Firing was going on all the time and the enemy's machine guns were at it hard, firing at us. Then at around seven o'clock the firing stopped.. I was in my dug-out reading a paper and the mail was being dished out. It was reported to me that the Germans had lighted their trenches up all along our front. We had been calling to one another for some time, Christmas wishes and other things. I went out and they shouted "no shooting" and then somehow the scene became a peaceful one. All our men got out of their trenches and sat on the parapet, the Germans did the same, and they talked to one another in English and broken English. I got on top of the trench and talked German and asked them to sing a German Volkslied, which they did, then our men sang quite well and each side clapped and cheered the other. I asked a German who sang a solo to sing one of Schumann's songs, so he sang The Two Grenadiers splendidly. Our men were a good audience and really enjoyed his singing. Then Pope and I, we walked across, we just walked across and held a conversation with the German officer in command. One of his men introduced us properly, he asked my name and then presented me to his officer. I gave the latter permission to bury some German dead who are lying in between us, and we agreed to have no shooting until 12 midnight tomorrow. We talked together, 10 or more Germans gathered round. I was almost in their lines within a yard or so. We saluted each other, he thanked me for permission to bury his dead, and we fixed up how many men were to do it, and that otherwise both sides must remain in their trenches. Then we wished one another goodnight and a good night's rest, and a happy Christmas and parted with a smile. I got back to the trench. The Germans sang Die Wacht Am Rhein it sounded well. Then our men sang quite well Christians Awake, it sounded well too, and with a goodnight we all got back into our trenches. What a curious scene, a lovely moonlit night, the German trenches with small lights on them, and the men on both sides gathered in groups on the parapets. At times we heard the guns in the distance and an occasional rifle shot. I can hear them now, but about us is absolute quiet. I allowed one or two men to go out and meet a German or two half way. They exchanged cigars, a smoke and talked. The officer I spoke to hopes we shall do the same on New Year's Day, I said "Yes.. If I am here." I felt I must sit down and write the story of this Christmas Eve before I went to lie down. Of course no precautions are relaxed, but I think they mean to play the game. All the same, I think I shall be awake all night so as to be on the safe side. It's weird to think that tomorrow night we shall be at it hard again. If one gets through this show it will be an Christmas time to live in one's memory. The German who sang had a really fine voice. I'm just off for a walk around the trenches to see all is well. Goodnight. Christmas Day. We had an absolutely quiet night in front of us though just to our right and left there was sniping going on. In my trenches and in those of the enemy opposite to us were only nice big fires blazing and occasional songs and conversation. This morning at the Reveille the Germans sent out parties to bury their dead. Our men went out to help them, and then we all on both sides met in the middle, and in groups began to talk and exchange gifts of tobacco, etc. All this morning we have been fraternising, singing songs. I have been within a yard of their trenches, have spoken to and exchanged greetings with a Colonel, Staff Officers and several Company Officers. All were very nice and we fixed up that the men should not go near their opponents trenches, but remain about midway between the lines. The whole thing is just extraordinary. The men were all so natural and friendly. Several photos were taken, a group of German officers, a German officer and myself, and a group of British and German soldiers. The Germans are Saxons, they're good looking, only want peace, and they seem in no way at their last gasp. I was astonished at the easy way in which our men and theirs got on with each other. We have just knocked off for dinner, and we have arranged to meet them again afterwards until dusk when we go in again and then until 9pm, when War begins again. I wonder who will start the shooting! They say "Fire in the air and we will", and such things, but of course it will start and tomorrow we shall be hard at it killing one another. It is an extraordinary state of affairs which allows of a "Peace Day". I have never seen men so pleased to have a day off as both sides. Their opera singer is going to give us a song or two tonight and perhaps I may give them one. Try and imagine two lines of trenches in peace, only 50 yards apart, the men of either side have never seen each other except perhaps a head now and then, and have never been outside in front of their trenches. Then suddenly one day men stream out and nest in friendly talk in the middle. One fellow, a married man, wanted so much a photo of Betty and Nancy in bed, which I had, and I gave him it as I had two: It seems he showed it all round, as several Germans told me afterwards about it. He gave me a photo of himself and his family taken the other day which he had just got. Well I must finish now so as to get this off today. Have just finished dinner. Must go outside now to supervise the meetings of the men and the Germans. I'll try and write more in a day or two. Keep this letter, Keep it carefully, send copies to all. I think they will be interested. It did feel funny walking over alone towards the enemy's trenches to meet someone half-way, and then to arrange a Christmas peace. That will be a thing to remember all one's life. Kiss the babies, give them my love. Write me a long letter and tell me all the news. I hope the photos come out alright. Probably you will see them in some paper. Yours, Jake

[@sirpiesmasher8482]

For some reason I felt extremely honoured to have listened to this.

[@waltertomaszewski1083]

Anyone know if Jake got killed afterwards, or lived past the War?

[@jessicathompson8365]

according to Letter of Note, Captain Jake Armes did go home after the war, lived through WWII, and died in 1948. www.lettersofnote.com/2015/10/the-most-extraordinary-scene.html

[@giovannibilardi8130]

"Keep this letter, keep it carefully, send copies to all"

[@shadowOrgon]

​@@waltertomaszewski1083 looked it up myself and wanted to report back, yes! He apparently survived the first world war and died in 1948. Jake Armes

[@Fitzroyfallz]

I couldn't imagine a better person to read this.

[@AndyMoranPhoto]

If not Capaldi, then probably Pat Stewart/Mckellen. Or maybe Bryan Cranston, or JK Simmons. All fantastic, all worthy of such a piece.

[@mariafox9226]

After watching the recent Christmas special this letter is making me cry.

[@JSmith380]

This happened at a time when nobody expected the war to drag on for years and morale was still high. That's why nothing like it happened in the years that followed. You can just imagine what a different world this was, and would never be that way again.

[@jessicascoullar3737]

The commanders banned it, that is why it didn’t happen again. The two sides here refused to fight each other and they had to move the company to another part of the front.

[@themightythor1160]

I always wanted Doctor Who to do the Christmas Truce (without the Doctor's interference) and of course, we got it on my favorite Doctor's finale. The magnificent Peter Capaldi!

[@Bleg94]

he wasn’t my favorite, but I can’t think of any better doctor to have the christmas truce

[@sabrina63]

I love that they made it a human miracle, and not one that the Doctor brought about: absolutely brilliant

[@RCanadian]

Peter Capaldi does an excellent job here. It was, so emotional. He emotes well. I heard of the Christmas The Christmas Armistice of 1914. I am not too sure exactly how or when I heard of it, but when I saw it on the Dr Who Christmas episode, I wasn't surprised. What a wonderful experience. It was never truly replicated. It will probably always be a one time event.

[@queerchaos13]

There's a movie about it. I don't remember the title, but I'll find it for you if you're interested.

[@noahmehr3069]

Look up the movie joyeux noel

[@peris_arts_film9699]

That is one of the most beautiful letters I have ever had the pleasure to listen to

[@houselemuellan8756]

Wow, and the events of this was featured in Dr Who: Twice Upon a Time ( Jodie Whittaker's debut and Peter Capaldi's Exit as The Doctor )

[@elioperlman6600]

This guy would make a great Doctor! Oh, wait ...

[@liselottelannqvist9151]

I sounds as if he sharing something he experienced himself.... amazing!

[@joshuamoore4537]

Every time I think of the Christmas truce, I actually start to cry sometimes.

[@alphamineron]

This man should be in that popular British show…. Doctor Who, he’d be a great 14th Doctor

[@danivarius]

Naa, his being the twelfth was enough.

[@alphamineron]

@@danivarius *facepalm* 12th is the actual 14th Doctor, War Doctor isn’t counted in the popular numbering and “10th” regenerated twice. Although I presume you misunderstood because now 14th is actually a thing this year

[@boringperson-zb8vy]

Off topic - for a man in his 50s, Capaldi has a damn good hearline. Better than mine and I'm in my 20s.

[@youtubecreators384]

He's from an era where you were taught how to comb your hair properly, not leaving a single strand of hair uneven. We should go back to teaching our children this.

[@samtrotter7177]

@@youtubecreators384 OP's talking about genetics, not "everyone is too messy these days smh"

[@sabrina63]

​@@youtubecreators384What a way to entirely miss the point

[@masterbeo8475]

how heart breaking to have such a... rare and... meaningful moment with people in your same situation, then the very next things go back to hell itself.

[@CaptApril123]

He brings it alive again.

[@BRYCENESS100]

I believe that the message of this letter, this speech is to deliver one thing. Regardless of our nationality or our beliefs, we are all only human, children of god, if you believe in that sort of thing We are all regular people, wishing the best for our country, or our families, and that is why these men fought, because they believed in their country, or for loyalty to their people. It shows us that the world isn’t just black and white, that the enemy is not necessarily evil, but that they hold their own beliefs, just as all others do. It’s something beautiful to come out of a war torn world, and the lesson, If any, is to love thy neighbor, regardless of who they are, or their beliefs, for we are only human.

[@themirestudios3326]

This is so interesting - this account was delivered beautifully

[@gerardfenn3988]

Great narrative. I would love to hear Morgan Freeman or Anthony Hopkins also read this letter. It would be amazing. Bravo to Peter Capaldi. A Magnificent Oration.

[@bowerdw]

I read a summary of this incident, a variation of the material years ago in a sermon. I thought the sermon was prepared by Peter Marshall. I kept the book of sermons prepared by Rev. Marshall. A few months ago I was preparing some material and sought to include it. To my dismay, the material was not in the book of sermons. I was sure Peter Marshall used it. I tried to find it else where. After all, one can search the Internet to find all sorts of material. However, I couldn't find it. Then today, my daughter put a link to this KZbin reading of "A Captain's World War One Letter from the Christmas Truce, 1914." The details were different, but it was clear that material I thought was included in a sermon, was based on this letter. Still, I sure would like to find that sermon summary. It was stirring. Not as stirring as this reading which included missing details, but that sermon was stirring.

[@JediPhoenix1976]

I don't know what's more heartbreaking, the fact that these soldiers only had a single day of camaraderie and peace before they had to go back to killing each other because of orders, or that, to my knowledge, it's never happened again.

[@rusty1923]

So that's what it means to be a doctor of war.

[@omzig18]

Belive in God or not no one can deny that this was a true christmas miracle

[@anonymes2884]

A human miracle indeed. Do we know what happened to the officer who wrote the letter ? I hope he made it through.

[@SamuelOsterhoudt]

The officer that wrote the letter peter is reading made it home to his family after the war and died I believe in 1940s. Truly a remarkable man!

[@anonymes2884]

Ah that's good, cheers for the info.

[@Phil9874]

Unfortunately he is one of the few who made it home from that christmas. Many of the soldiers who witnessed and participated in this momentous event had lived their last christmas and would die in the following year.

[@CaptApril123]

@@SamuelOsterhoudt Thank you..

[@Musicmonk84]

Well that was even better than expected.

[@MikeM4729]

So powerful

[@irfanfiaz2401]

beautiful read.

[@mxg75]

The writer's name, Captain Reginald John Armes, appears on the monitors in one of the wide shots. The first hit when I Googled his name quotes a section of the letter and features a photo of German and British soldiers standing together. This page indicates he died in combat in Mesopotamia in 1916. However, three later hits, two of which mention also the letter, say he survived the war and lived until 1948.

[@DD-ub6cc]

Wow. Just....wow.

[@AM-kf2zt]

A real Christmas miracle. The world shall never see its like again.

[@ShinySanchez16]

Beautiful stuff

[@rmcbeigh]

amazing they do not teach us these things in school

[@endhai]

'Cause "they" still need you for their next war. In german, we call the poor soldiers, who fall first, like the little ones in chess "gun food" So, they still need you as gunfood.

[@JoshAllenIt]

What school did you go to? We learned about in Canada grade school around grade 5.

[@А.И-и8ь]

@@endhai you are probably right

[@DoctorXander]

I think you were just unfortunate. I learned about it in 1st grade in Australia

[@samtrotter7177]

Learned about it here in the UK, too

[@paietynb.2690]

I love how he read it like he was the captain. Peter is amazing. Who was this man? Did he go home in the end?

[@d.anielb4661]

*initiates malcolm tucker*

[@kmckaspermoviecorp.2149]

very wrll reading indeed.

[@LittleMoths94]

"Kiss the babies."

[@queerchaos13]

I was already crying. When he said that, it got even worse.

[@EneaG]

By the way, Peter is the best man to read this letter, he's the only one still alive that was there

[@martinfarrell8076]

Google Tommy Fleming singing Christmas 1915....

[@nicolesong6199]

nice

[@jaredjenkins99]

Wow

[@mariomartinez756]

:'(