Christmas Truce of World War I -- Joyeux Noel [2005 film]

[@UncleAL86]

Watching this on Christmas Night in 2024. 110 Years and this is still remembered.

[@NathanReacts89]

Same

[@skyliner3768]

I watch it every year, Merry Christmas/Joyeux Nöel

[@zemon8779]

Same😊

[@tanksedge770]

Germany: *It's felix..* France: *No it's Nestor* *And thus have the war continued.*

[@Poondsp]

WW2 it was because nobody held hitlers beer

[@sauronmordor7494]

yes

[@VerilyVerbatim]

This really brings a whole new meaning to a catfight....

[@carval51]

@@Poondsp things is ww2 would happen even if hitler died earlier

[@Poondsp]

@pepe bruh

[@yiledute]

When your enemies start singing happily it's something terrifying. It makes them human, and it gets a lot harder to kill them once you start to feel that they are equal to you.

[@xeraphyx7903]

this is so true, all the pre-war propaganda villainies the enemies, but only when you look the enemy soldiers in the eye, you realize that the enemies are not monsters, but human, no different from you.

[@freepilot7732]

Yet they started again. Many died after this.

[@yiledute]

@@freepilot7732 not because of the soldiers, but the officials and commanders that wished the war to continue, you know, the ones not really doing the killing

[@White1Lake44]

We can live as a Humanity in Creative society with thrive and peace and with no war #allatraunites

[@registryy]

Ik.. but I still killed 8 pipers in blood & iron (I only killed pipers because they were surrendering and shouting peace at the top of their fucking lungs in a roblox game)

[@MitchellFace]

Watching two characters communicate through music as a start of finding common ground. Music is such a universal language to many. It’s a such a beautiful moment.

[@Flash-FireCC]

Music truly is the ultimate form of communication

[@SlippPlays]

That’s why it’s called Harmony. It brings things together.

[@PogingNavy94]

"No one will criticize us for laying down our rifles for Christmas Eve" No, soldier. We exalt you all for doing so.

[@sean.furlong1989]

Nearly 106 years later these men are admired for what they did.

[@stevet5379]

Amen!

[@martinchab1]

Unfortunately they were ... photos were destroyed, french and german media censored everything, some media in britain talked about it. In some places (because it happend in many areas) they fired artillery at the people gathering, or were sent to difficult areas on suicidal missions.

[@TheJadenYukl]

@@martinchab1 dude, serious? i heard that in the next day they refused to fight.

[@martinchab1]

@@TheJadenYukl there were also some place where some people refused to fight, those are mostly the people sent to other front lines. And what made some flee, and on the russian side eventually help the government being overthrown I haven't found any proof in people being executed tho. The public opinion was also harsh about them in london, but most people didn't understand how bloody this war was at that time.

[@--Voltz--]

*I cry every time I watch this.. you know why? Because this ACTUALLY HAPPENED! MY great grandfather was there and I'm LUCKY ENOUGH to have been TOLD THIS FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE! I HAVE A DIARY HE LEFT ME AND IT'S HIS DIARY IN THAT VERY DITCH, COVERED IN DIRTY, MUD, BLOOD, AND I'M BLESSED TO HAVE IT IN MY POSITION*

[@Kibbe_Surdo]

PLEASE TELL US MORE !! I REALLY WANT TO KNOW MORE what's written in the journal ?

[@DevinKoks]

agreed. would love to hear what it was like for that. it would be a great honor

[@fstfrdy]

My Great Grandfather wrote a letter saying that "We traded Bully Beef for cigars with our German friends". It is not likely we can ever know what took place during this Christmas event but each year on November 11th I watch this and imagine him saying "We are Scottish". My Great Grandfather Pte.Ronald MacKinnon PPCLI kia 9/4/1917.

[@honestcommenterseany441]

You should be very proud. That’s a piece of important history. The best piece of ww1 memorabilia 🇬🇧🫡

[@curtrupp4259]

More than one area to my knowledge.

[@freagle123]

We will never fight against our brothers again. Greetings from Germany

[@lindseymurphy3386]

freagle123 Merry Christmas and greetings from Western Australia. Be well.

[@freagle123]

@@lindseymurphy3386 Thanks and Merry Christmas to you, be well too. :)

[@nelsonfraser2800]

No, no I hope we never do again. But humanity still has a major fight left in it. Happy New Year.

[@jiveassturkey8849]

Greetings from America

[@Hammadz-li]

@@jiveassturkey8849 war mongers

[@SulliMike23]

Though we Americans joined the war late, we admire these men for taking a moment to celebrate Christmas with one another despite being bitter enemies. Whether you're British, German, or French, they came together in the spirit of the Holiday and peace. A Merry Christmas to all our friends from across the Atlantic.

[@lopezale2503]

They were forced to hate each other, but in the end, they were all brothers, and that bond was so strong that they refused to fight and were moved to other trenches to force them to fight

[@theathiestpriest]

Most of the soldiers from these lines during the truce had to be replaced, as they refused to fight one another after this. Soldiers had to be taken out and new ones brought in. Many German soldiers were seen as traitors and were sent to Russia to die. On the way there, they sang the songs that the Scots sang about home. This is one of the greatest things that's happened in human history. It was a time, even if for a short time, of peace.

[@erichvondonitz5325]

iirc, in a German sector, Hitler was a corporal that time and reported his men for their actions what a prick

[@elements1168]

@@erichvondonitz5325 he is crazy patriotic but it's sad that an artist became like this

[@erichvondonitz5325]

@@elements1168 He was pretty much a weeb for German, a Wehraboo to be exact. Idk why he wanted to become chancellor tho

[@erichvondonitz5325]

@@elements1168 honestly looking at his arts, I think he could easily be famous for being one of the best artist in bistory but chose to become famous as the most cruel and evil man in the world

[@elements1168]

@@erichvondonitz5325 it all goes back to family which most likely the reason for why he became like that

[@wyattwesterfield4553]

It has been 105 years now. 105. Merry Christmas, everyone! Edit: 110 years now.

[@christian9365]

thank you very much. same to you. stay healthy. best wishes from Germany

[@joelpeary3172]

Best wishes from America

[@JakeMook]

Best Wishes from Canada :)

[@Rod_MolinaBachmann]

Best wishes from Australia !

[@HungryDwarf26]

Late but best wishes from England

[@baret9146]

“War is young men dying and old men talking” - Franklin D. Roosevelt

[@yougoofy3592]

And that’s exactly what he did

[@filipchetwynd7746]

"It's always the old to lead us to the wars It's always the young to fall Now look at all we've won with the saber and the gun Tell me, is it worth it all?" -- Phil Ochs, I Ain't Marching Anymore

[@pumpkingamebox]

War is sometimes necessary. When you’re running out of supplies and have nothing to trade. You will *fight* for your survival. War is ingenious in a way. Not only are you stealing food from the enemy. You’re reducing the mouths you need to feed. Now it’s not the most beautiful thing to do and witness. But, the trolley problem.

[@AerYdmyg]

@@pumpkingamebox If not for evil, there would be no war. But the evil in war is not men on a field; it’s what brought them out there that ought to be damned. When will the world know true peace? When there is no more evil, or no more strength to stand against it? Remember that All People are brothers and sisters, children from parents, Souls.

[@pumpkingamebox]

@@AerYdmyg Well, a failed harvest is certainly bad. But to call it outright evil? Idk. I don’t believe in good and evil. I’m what they call a moral nihilist. Things just happen in life. We just have to deal.

[@emperorconstantine1.361]

I get teary eyed each and every time I see not just this movie but the entirety of this Christmas truce.

[@mtsky-tc6uw]

war is pure hell and why do we do it

[@arno-luyendijk4798]

Same here. mate. A thing to remember when december days get heavy to the mind.

[@오영빈-f7s]

All wars are civil wars. because all men are brothers

[@marius3552]

How are all men brothers??

[@marius3552]

Mr. lavalava lol

[@TwoGamingDudes1]

+Mr. lavalava or maybe it's just a different shade of skin

[@minecraft73819]

Yeah, i have no idea, i just did it for the pussy .

[@Sinberg]

+Mr. lavalava FUCKING GOLDEN

[@luddyaria3954]

Germany : it's Felix... France : No, Nestor. Me : Let's just call him Netflix

[@AndreNitroX]

🤔

[@dukenukem7323]

Nestfix

[@the_guitarist619]

and that kids was how netflix was born

[@doeeyes2]

Amazing!

[@sonofaoutlaw3115]

lol

[@coinneachreid8971]

trust the scots to start a party in the middle of humanities worst moment proud to be one joyeux noel

[@omegablue22]

But how does one befriend a Scottish and live to tell the tale

[@diewilden80gerhattehattefa74]

Frohe Weihnachten

[@fennecabumukallalabdulmasi3867]

Yeah, never forget to bring your bagpipes to whereever you go on this planet, it's worth it! BTW: Could you please tell me the title of the first song, the one the scots Lt. starts to sing before the german soldier reacts by Stille Nacht? Thx in advance. Cheers pal!

[@gordonrobertson1373]

@@fennecabumukallalabdulmasi3867 It's called "I'm Dreaming of Home". Actually not a traditional Scottish song (though it certainly sounds like it could be), but one written for the movie.

[@paulnailor6723]

In truth I think it was the French who clapped upon hearing a German singing rather well. But truce's did happen along the lines but not every where.

[@quinnj955]

All of the stories I’ve heard about this night have made it into a beautiful story that I will never forget. A rare moment of human kindness in the midst of a world war… I wish anyone who reads this comment a merry Christmas and may whatever god you believe in bless you and I hope you find happiness and peace. 🥹 -A kind hearted 23 year old man

[@javierds1972]

Merry Christmas from México, God bless you !!!

[@Drbony]

Merry Christmas everyone 22/12/24

[@silenthunder85]

Merry Christmas

[@Flash-FireCC]

It's Christmas Eve where I am in America! Merry Christmas! 12/24/24

[@dylanolson175]

Merry Christmas to you

[@moishcan8056]

*Puts up a Christmas tree* "Commander, I don't like the look of this."

[@Arthelin]

A bit late for a reply maybe, but the truth of the matter is that Christmas tree's weren't a global thing by that point. It is a tradition with pagan roots, and thus only germany and a few other "pagan" countries, such as the entirety of Scandinavia. If I'm not mistaken, the French and Scottish soldiers had never seen a Christmas tree before, hence their suspicion

[@TheIndogamer]

*ITS A DIVERSION*

[@mikejulz87]

Lol

[@mathieuvigne7336]

@@Arthelin Christmas tree was broadly spread in France since 17th century, coming from alsatian tradition.

[@janicojerome]

"I think we should surrender."

[@tarielkaroldan4106]

The German soldier thanking the French officer in French after being poured his drink was a great touch

[@fabs8498]

Original version of this french moovie...

[@Coffeecall-v2l]

For sure..

[@SanctusPaulus1962]

He likely had a classical education and thus would be fluent in French

[@mikesheehan4470]

They all knew a few basic phrases in the neighbor languages in that time. There wasn't anything on TV. I noticed, too. Through my tears

[@storm479]

​@@SanctusPaulus1962 The German singer did say he was a singer for the Berlin Opera, so he could have learned French.

[@DarkParagon]

To those who don't like bagpipes: I'm Scottish, they resonate in my soul. I don't expect you to understand but that's how it is.

[@ricardomora9913]

I live in central America and I love the sound of that instrument.

[@ShadowGhost0117]

I personally don’t really listen to bagpipe songs all that much, but when I do it’s fascinating.

[@DarkParagon]

@@ricardomora9913 @Alex Yoblick then we are brothers across the world. :)

[@ricardomora9913]

@@DarkParagon I'm glad to hear that.

[@zakbm]

I'm from Froggyland and I dream of visiting Scotland mainly for three things : whisky, redheads and of course bagpipes.

[@michaelkelley5023]

The ABSOLUTE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIE OF ALL TIME!!!!! HANDS DOWN!!

[@АлекпероваОльга]

❤❤❤❤👏👏👏👏

[@creativecorner2071]

"It's Felix." "No, it's Nestor." "No, Felix." "See, It's Nestor. Nestor's heading for the French side."

[@somepolishmoment9118]

Creative Corner NO ITS FELIX HE IS SIMPLY GATHERING FRENCH SECRETS

[@malmon8609]

And the truce ended because of a cat... hahahaha

[@CelineCatalina98]

"fuck yo chocolate. his name is Nestor.."

[@ImperadorLucius]

And the war rages on

[@ignaciog5818]

And just like that they started fighting

[@fizzlersizzler9259]

Powerful scene. It serves to remind us that these men didn't really want to harm one another. They were simply pawns in a sick bureaucratic game of chess.

[@wullymc1]

They're actors!

[@korflol269]

@@wullymc1 it's based on truth you fool!

[@anthonybump1956]

@@wullymc1 this was an actual event that happened on Christmas morning during WW1

[@wullymc1]

@@anthonybump1956 I know it was!

[@XSilver_WaterX]

Humanity's nativity is its greatest and most difficult flaw. We love each other at the end, but we know how MANY things happen.

[@PALATA-Gaming]

The ending for this movie is very sad, yet amazing. Eventually people learn about this truce from the letters sent by these soldiers to their families. Superiors are going to replace these "traitors". The most heartbreaking moment was when they were punishing the germans for "treason": They were sent directly to Russia to literally die there, without the possibility to visit home. When they're put in the train wagon and called traitors, they start to sing the song the Scots were singing about home, showing what they've learned from the encounter with their brothers. This pisses off the general, as they ride away in the train to their death... with no fear... singing. I LOVE THIS MOVIE

[@theonlymlvn]

What name this movie

[@Robert53area]

It's TRUE, the german 92 division would get decimated in poland a few months later going against the russians. The french division would make a counter attack 5 days later, and it would fail. The Scots were transferred to help hold the line with the canadians at the battle of the somme

[@ButterBoyism]

It makes sense, killing someone isn't easy and it's usually done through a form of dehumanization to stay sane. This would make firing upon the enemy incredibly painful due to you no longer being able to dehumanize your "enemy". This is why fraternization with the enemy has been punished very harshly historically speaking, since it removes any fighting spirit, and effectively grinds the hostilities to a halt. It would also be better for a soldier from a psychological point of view, to move him away from any enemy he's socialized with, since the mental scarring will be a LOT more severe if the person you're shooting is someone you've had positive social interactions with.

[@PALATA-Gaming]

@@ButterBoyism Quote from Magnificent 7, Midnight: "YOU GOTTA HATE WHAT YOU'RE FIRING AT!!" Yea, it's painful once you realise that your enemy is also human and is in the same situation as you. Scared, clueless about your nature, just told to kill for his country in order to protect your loved ones from "monsters".

[@ButterBoyism]

@@PALATA-Gaming In reality it's less about hate, and more about normalizing the idea that the people you're killing aren't people. I've a few friends who has been in actual combat and almost all of them refuse to see the people they fought as human. One in particular was a british sniper, or something similar. He always uses dehumanizing terms when talking about middle easterns, because of his experiences. To him they're an "it", not a "they". This is very logical when you actually think about it, if someone like him aknowledged them as people, he'd have to deal with the fact that he's done horrible things to other human beings (from what he's told me, not everything that goes on in a warzone, is ethical). As long as the people you kill are just "things", then you don't have to lose sleep over it. The second they become human to you, then it'll haunt you forever.

[@EssiereFFm]

The moment they realized that they both have the same songs for Christmas is unique. I love that this actually happened.

[@kettch777]

There's a reason this story is legendary among the annals of warfare. Never before or since has there been such a spontaneous display of brotherhood and peace between enemies on the battlefield.

[@KingQwertzlbrmpf]

That's not entirely correct. The christmas truce is certainly the most prominent example and the most mythologised, but there are other examples. To name just one, it is well documented that during the crimean war soldiers from opposing factions frequently shared rations and tobacco with each other. Not to mention that there was a certain tradition during WWI and other wars to allow the enemy to retrieve and bury their dead as well as retrieve and treat their wounded without disturbing them. And since those occasions were often used to do the same with their own dead and wounded it often came to small fraternisation situations like for example helping the enemy to dig graves or even sharing some medicine and other supplies. There were also often unoffical ceasefires after particulary heavy engagements due to sheer exhaustion where the soldiers just agreed to not shoot each other simply to get some rest.

[@chrisc9769]

@@KingQwertzlbrmpf your right but I think his point has more to do with how horrifying WW1 was with all the new technology and the way the war stagnated with that technology, that it happened. And on such a large scale. This is a legendary event cause you had 2 whole ARMIES (not really more like brigades but that really here or there) stop fighting and killing each other for a night and celebrate Christmas together. That is what makes this truly a moment that is likely to never happen again.

[@Neo2266.]

hehe, anals of warfare

[@chrisc9769]

@Kabuki Kitsune Sabaton did a song about that stand. Very good song

[@KingQwertzlbrmpf]

@Kabuki Kitsune That actually was a couple days after the war was officially over. Also as a fun side note, the us troops called their wehrmacht allies the "tamed krauts" ^^

[@erickam6733]

What makes this scene even better is at first Sprink is singing in German to his troops, but during "O Come all Ye Faithful", he switches to Latin as he goes out in to no mans land, why? Back during those years most of those men had gone to church, in some form, and back then hymns were sung in Latin, especially during important holidays. He sang latin because it was a language the Germans, Scots, and French would all know.

[@evita9016]

Oh, i didnt know that. That's very thoughtful of him.

[@711ROWDY]

@@HistoryColourized like religion it's all shit

[@Woooojcio]

Yes and we see the French soldier singing along to your point.

[@rafaelbalsan4512]

Except the majority of Germans were Lutheran, so I don't really get it

[@cubaj8723]

@@rafaelbalsan4512 Depends on where in Germany they were from. I’m not familiar enough with the uniforms to see if they are from any specific place, but large tracts of Germany were and are Catholic, who would have used a Latin Mass. Southern Germany such as Bavaria and Western areas along the Rhine are traditionally Catholic, and there was a large eastern population as well, thought those were majority ethnic Poles who lived in the German empire. Thought I doubt that being Catholic specifically would have effected the gesture much. Latin was the common language of Europe for over a thousand years and transcends borders, which is the point of this scene.

[@zachrobledo2252]

The best part of this scene is that the German officer is singing "Come All Ye Faithful" in Latin. A language that brings all 3 of them together.

[@kaiserwilly4234]

That's because they were Roman Catholic. Latin was and still is the official language of Holy Mother Church.🙏

[@GnomaPhobic]

@@kaiserwilly4234 Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on Earth. Peace and Love to everyone, for we all children of the same God!

[@kaiserwilly4234]

@@GnomaPhobic Amen.

[@elhior23]

Except for the fact that the gas chambers were working overtime at this moment. Except for the fact that Germany was trying to conquer the world. They were "all together" for maybe one evening and were murdering each other at all other times and there is one bad guy here. The Germans. Is anyone confused? Read a book.

[@MrAntiVision]

@@kaiserwilly4234 >kaiser willy >catholic disgusting papist smh

[@jojospacemonkey]

The Piper playing come all ye faithful to set the song then letting the singer choose the key he can sing in then rejoining in that key was perfect.

[@MrNikodemus5]

As an old soldier and officer, I can not watch this without crying.

[@JohnDoe-yl4ls]

No matter where you served thank you for putting your country first. Merry Christmas

[@HarryPainter]

Same as someone who has watched a few war movies

[@gregoreisenhorn6499]

As a service member as well, that also gets me to the core. And yes, we French always have bottles ready lads.

[@lutztilker550]

Could not agree more! A salute to all of you from a retired captain (long, long time ago) of the German army, still proudly wearing the airborne wings.

[@SuperEHEC]

@@gregoreisenhorn6499 INQUISITOR EISENHORN IS NOT FRENCH

[@grucketts4471]

When your playing in a public server and manage to convert everyone friendly

[@ignaciog5818]

I like that

[@johannesvogler8605]

That One guy trying to sneak up on the other site was try harding

[@potatoman4680]

And then a spy backstabs everyone

[@abowl5667]

Michael Dickson or a pyro just comes and kills everyone

[@abam9787]

I did this once in dota 2, I was radiant side when I was alone at mid I switch farm spot at dire's mid position, later the dire mid player got confused for few seconds and afterward proceed to mirror my actions. Later on the other players picks up the funny mid players' behavior and the whole map become friendly enough to 10v1 roshan lol

[@Man-lw5ik]

“You are not machines, you are men. You have the love of humanity in your hearts” -I forgot who said this

[@alonsodanielhurtadocenteno9441]

Chaplin in the great dictator

[@hagamapama]

The greatest speech of one of the best silent actors in history

[@raphaelott5907]

@@hagamapama fun fact: his uniform was found in an art collection in my hometown in switzerland :D

[@napoleonbonaparte7172]

Chaplin

[@Schla-Gulp]

@@raphaelott5907 Das wusste ich auch noch nicht.

[@scottyweimuller6152]

My great grandfather was part of the Scottish bagpipe regiment during WWI and was part of this Christmas truce. Unfortunately a few years later he was mustered gassed and well he did survival my Grandmother had to drain his lungs out every few hours and past away 2 years later. I have his military photo in my living room and it makes me so proud that he was part of my family tree and I still have the chanter from his bagpipes from WWI hanging up on my wall.

[@scottmurray2624]

Well said brother

[@ryanawilson8549]

May he RIP

[@scottyweimuller6152]

@@ryanawilson8549 Thank you buddy. I just wish I had the chance to meet him. Everyone said he was a larger than life guy and one of the nicest guys youd ever had the chance to meet.

[@travishabursky4362]

Know that your Great Grandfather was the the greatest of men. For a night he was not a soldier or combatant fighting a war, he was a healer of worlds soothing the plight of man.

[@civilizationrenaissance]

@@scottyweimuller6152 I wish to see that picture brother your great grandfather was part of the greatest moment humans never witnessed since then

[@brianfewer919]

The look on the German actor's face when he realized his enemy was playing for him... that got me.

[@JamieTransNyc]

There is also a small drama and "out of band' conversation going on here too. First, the Scots sing in English, then the Germans sing in German. Finally, Father Palmer (Scot) suggests with his bagpipes, and Sprink (German) accepts a compromise song: "Adeste Fideles" a song in Latin (a neutral language).

[@BigBWolf90]

And the French are like: ...damn this is too good a show to ruin with paranoid gunfire

[@DustinBlaise]

A German singer singing Christmas tunes accompanied by Scottish Bagpipers. A beautiful mix of culture and peace that Makes me cry every time.

[@keegantripp1245]

It’s honestly the best piece of music I’ve ever heard. They don’t do it in the soundtrack and I find that ashame. Because this is probably the most important scene of the film.

[@battowsai]

pretty sure americans would have started shooting ^^

[@libertyforoneandall]

@@battowsai I doubt it. All soldiers wish for the cessation of hostilities regardless of nationality

[@crafter170]

I have my old grandfathers WW1 documents up in the loft .Trench orders book .Soldiers pay book while on active service etc .I found a hand written piece of paper in his wallet with lines from the bible .Just a simple piece of paper .On one of the documents it states he was transferred to reserve .He was a Scotsman..A very nice clean decent hard working skilled man .Worked in the RR on the Merlin engines later in life .My grans brother drowned in the Red Sea .Everybody lost somebody.If you drive through the villages in Scotland every one has a memorial to the dead .It's ridiculous the amount of names on them .Even tiny villages have a long list of young men taken in that stupid war.

[@damikey18]

@@battowsai not really considering the United States wanted nothing to do with ww1 and ww2 but was forced into it

[@patjames4944]

Christmas, WW1, music the language of peace. Hard to want to kill your enemies when you just find out they are human, just like you! My Scottish grandfather, Peter MacGillivray, was a soldier in WW1, cavalry division, in the Middle East. He came home, married and had 11 children. ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Paquito910]

In my humble opinion. The best Christmas Movie. Without elves and magic deers, no grumpy old men visited by spirits, no boys mocking thieves.

[@GloryHoleBased]

hubble opinion

[@bboybolt8193]

"Hubble"

[@gilgamesh7055]

Podrick i have gone mad. Hubble Bubble Wobble.

[@gilgamesh7055]

Podrick, i have gone mad. Hubble Bubble Wubble.

[@steinmaniac7920]

"Die Hard" tho

[@druivm8089]

All these men sitting in the trenches in 1914 were born in the 19th century. They were still 19th century men with 19th century mentalities. We can't understand how they thought because of when we were born. We find it impossible to comprehend in our day and age 100 years later after that epitome of industrial war - World War 2 - and the post WW2 era of dirty insurgent warfare, but these men believed that they were civilised gentlemen. Fighting your enemy one day and singing Christmas carols with him the next is something that was not impossible to the 19th century mind. Not when your opponent was another European like yourself. It was quite simply how gentlemen treated each other even in war. Sadly that mindset perished in the industrial slaughter in the 4 years to follow.

[@HNRichard]

Interestingly the European respect all soldiers alike, and the french even gave a medal of honor to Harlem Hellfighters (a group of black soldiers from New York) because they fought alongside them. Unfortunately back then, The US didn't want to recognize these men's bravery and honor in the war. The european are much more civilised, as shown like in this movie.

[@linus6634]

druivm 6

[@firstname4476]

They were fighting against other men , ww2 they were fighting Against insane ideology’s .

[@DevSolar]

That mindset perished not in the industrial slaughter, but when people allowed their "leaders" to dehumanize their enemy for them through propaganda. No matter when, no matter why, no matter how the conflict erupted, that man opposing you does so for his comrades in arms, his homeland, and his own beliefs. You might think them misguided, you might think them wrong, but the same goes for yourself in *his* eyes. The moment you consider yourself "justified" and your opponent a "lesser being", you've just arrived on exactly the level you're accusing your opponent of. You start thinking that talking is pointless and war the only solution. If you're amenable to some notable words even if they're from a fictional series, search for "Zygon War Speech" from Dr. Who.

[@Travis1.979]

i noticed how civilised european were by that time, and still are of course. I appretiate how they treated each other in WW1, gentleman til the end.

[@JamieTransNyc]

About the Cat: The cat scene is partly allegory, and partly historical. There actually was a cat that travelled between the German and French lines, amazingly he was executed by French Officers as a "spy". The director uses him here as a microcosm (small mirror) of the larger image. The cat does not care what the battle lines are, he will do what a cat will do. The soldiers try to impose their idea of loyalty and ownership upon him, much like the Generals, Politicians, and Clergy try to impose their will upon the soldiers. The name(s) for the cat are a comedic nod to the fact that most languages in Europe have common roots and/or influences. The Germans call him Felix, and the French call him Nestor. "Felix" comes from the Latin for "Happy", and "Nestor" is from the Greek for "Traveller". So the cat is a "Happy Traveller" or "One who is happy while travelling".

[@thetrueindiz]

That is some really interesting attention to detail!

[@alba8443]

I never thought of that. Thank you!

[@Zokreeser]

poor cat

[@waffumetz]

and just like that, the truce was ended by a cat hahaha jk

[@nikola12nis]

Yeah, I've read about that cat in Ernst Junger's memoirs, just don't remember the part where it got executed.

[@spockolenbrander256]

I first watched this movie in my 11th grade French class. And it started my interest in WW1. I rewatched it in 2020 when COVD was nearing its peak. I was dealing with mental issues and I attempted unaliving myself. But this movie really helped me through that. The idea of men being able to come together and celebrate a holiday when the world is at its worst made it the perfect movie to watch during that time. I now watch it every Christmas.

[@anom7227]

The singer’s face when he hears the bagpipes is so hopeful and full of joy. I imagine, in his head, he was thinking that this is his stage, that man was his orchestra, and this will be the performance of a lifetime

[@darthakaya]

German Officer: "This isn't the Berlin Opera" German Singer: "You're right. This is better than Berlin."

[@samtrotter7177]

I come back to this scene frequently just for the look on his face, absolutely superb

[@JamieTransNyc]

One of my favorite actors. US viewers may not know it, but this cast is more or less "star studded" with famous european actors.

[@rosestanley9606]

@@darthakaya love your comment gave me a laugh lol

[@JoshuaRWorkman]

He did say it was better than Berlin.

[@thegeneral2374]

Who got chills when he sang with the guy with bagpipes

[@darnit1944]

I cried with manly tears. I had to watch other war movies

[@trajan231]

@для товарищ Silent Night and O Come All Ye Faithful

[@LegalShield3000]

I did.

[@marcolorenzetti4807]

6:26 challenging look. like 'let's see if you know this'

[@warmcanadain7649]

I’ve re watched this at least 10 times and at that one in particular part I get chills

[@ocdalby]

I love how the french obviously have bottles prepared xD

[@argoniananthony894]

What do you expect? They're french. Edit; I mean no disrespect, just saying it in a stereotypical way, but not TOO disrespectfully, just wanted to make people laugh.

[@rattila5858]

From the beginning to the end of this war, the Governmeny supplied their troops in bottles and bottles of wine, always more, while their food was still absolute garbage. Their goal was to maek them so drunk that they would never think about rebelling.

[@x-dusk3137]

@@argoniananthony894 In France, there always a bottle of alcohool ready.

[@MrBagpipes]

Priorities

[@peretartine5985]

Tu n'imagines pas à quelle point 😂 même les plus petit villages ont des bars

[@FernComeau-y9n]

This always brings tears to my eyes. A soldier is a soldier. Each had feelings. None wanted to be there. Feel their pain and sorrows. Absolutely beautiful.

[@Kimi-uk6lf]

its really hard to kill your enemy once you've shared champagne with them right? i cant imagine gow hard it was the next day then

[@nicodemuskong358]

thats why superiors prohibit them from socialising with the enemy

[@TheOmega6900]

It's hard to kill an enemy on it's own, because they're still a person in any case. But I imagine there was a spike in desertions on the 26th of December...

[@Kimi-uk6lf]

TheCrazyKid1381 I doubt that. Plus i know that only several hours later they resumes the fire fight

[@xerxes876]

Nah,Crazy kid is right. Many of them were replaced and reassigned.

[@alexanderhewitt8240]

Jack the Gestapo z

[@keenanrayne9170]

These guys didn’t wanna fight, they were only following orders.. but no matter what side you wanted to win, you still remember them to this day over 100 years later. God bless their souls.

[@georgewashington3393]

Yeah and I'm sure youre the same one wishing death on russian soldiers in ukraine...no?

[@bobguy6542]

"only following orders" is not a defense.

[@woodenloonynickel]

Soccer

[@timrichards8533]

@@bobguy6542um yea it is. Because if you didnt you were probably gonna end up dead or in prison so sure its easy to look at it in hindsight, but you dont know what people had to endure just to live thru the night not saying it was right either but if someone put a gun to your head and said kill him or ill kill you what are you going to choose. Dont tell me cause i dont care but most people will choose themselves every-time that how humans operate its programming

[@SanctusPaulus1962]

​@@bobguy6542 Not when commiting war crimes, no. But when you are simply doing the job that you signed up for as a professional soldier, following orders to kill the enemy is literally a fundimental part of being a good solider.

[@JamieTransNyc]

Can we pause for a moment and appreciate that Daniel Bruhle speaks English, French and German with perfection and no accent at all?

[@tilltronje1623]

And Spanish

[@andreistoica2470]

Vell he îs spanish Deutsche

[@fareedosman2317]

I came here to look for this comment!😊

[@judynicholas9033]

Bist du bei mir

[@KaiTakApproach]

Yes, and I have enjoyed his German-speaking films. He is very talented.

[@DomDom-ui9zk]

Un bel extrait qui m'a fichu la chaire de poule. Rien de plus fort et de plus beau que l'amour que peut apporter ce soir de réveillon de Noël. De jolis rôles interprétés par Guillaume Canet et Dany Boon.

[@captin-crane3324]

In this war, we all had a common goal. To go home.

[@johnbenedictpaculan9517]

Wise words there brother

[@theTequilaMan]

Alive, right? They’re gonna come home alive right? Not in bodybags or worse just a piece of paper and some last words right?

[@captin-crane3324]

Nerd Anime dude. Seriously?

[@stephenroberts9213]

We never learn until we press the button then boom we never learn

[@chrisbuesnell3428]

Well i dont think you are right. The Australians in the first world war were all volunteers. They went with a senso of conviction and to do a job. For the most part they didnt want to come home till the job was done. It sells the troops short to say otherwise. Once the war was 2 years in the soldiers were very hardened. Total surrender by germany or keep fighting.

[@christopherthrawn1333]

RIP to the soldiers of WW 1. May God rest your souls.

[@beeldpuntXVI]

Christopher Thrawn we will Remember them

[@Calv-tb1bx]

Amen

[@gamercarmen3957]

RIP soldiers in WW2

[@baconlememes9182]

Unless they enjoyed killing then may there souls learn a lesson

[@ignaciog5818]

May they rest in piece

[@whosshenanigans2422]

This is such a great scene because this is, humanity. Nobody wants to be there, they don't want this. In a war. Everyone just wants to go home.

[@chrisbuesnell3428]

Except a lot of them did want to be there. The australians for one group volunteered.

[@chrisc1926]

This is especially true of world war I. A war which was caused by tension between powers rather than a real offense. I would differ about something like WW2. I don't think British or Americans could have had a christmas truce with Nazis. The key here is that both sides were fighting for not a whole lot of reason.

[@tils987]

Tbh WWI was a lot more attrition based warfare and no mans land engagements. WWII would have MUCH less because of Tanks, bombers and more weapons. Because of attrition warfare being so slow in progression it also weakens morale to a point where some soldiers get desperate, rebelious or suicidal. Few has the resolve to demonise the enemy from then on. WWII would have attrition warfare much less which means less of a glorious opportunity to show humanity.

[@chrisbuesnell3428]

@@chrisc1926 Well The British were fighting because germany ignored Belgium neutrality. They commited numerous war crimes. The men knew this quite well.

[@gideongamonnac9868]

Whosshenanigans...i agree brother..thesame feelings when i was in the frontlines..

[@michalbohemian8615]

Tohle by měly vysílat na Vánoce všechny televize místo Mrazíka.....příběh který dokonce ani dnes není uvěřitelný a i tak se opravdu stal....pokoj všem duším co musely padnout ,,aby jsme dnes mohli žít a nadávat jak jsme utlačovaní´´ (sarkasticky)

[@fabianzimmermann5495]

One of the reasons I hope parallel universes exist, is because hopefully in at least one of them, world war one ended at christmas 1914.

[@jonmararbiter0721]

I know there has to be one

[@javeedsultan8484]

Out there some where in an alternative reality, humanity has seen the folly of war, and has a deeper understanding and respect for life and each other

[@GhostOfKotori]

@@jonmararbiter0721 no

[@GhostOfKotori]

Parallel universes are bullshit and left at conspiracies LOLOLOL

[@jacksonhaslam2753]

Wow. That's a powerful thought, and I do hope its true. Imagine how different that world could be.

[@jackjackson7343]

Interestingly, or at least to me, when the Scottish and German men start singing together after getting out of the trench, they are singing the tune to "O Come all ye Faithful". However, unlike the previous number, "Silent Night", the German man is singing in Latin, instead of German. This is because Latin was still considered a universal language, and central to Christianity. When he starts singing in Latin, he is symbolically putting all of their enmity aside. Edit:wow that's a lot of likes 😀 if you thought this was interesting, read through the replies. There's a lot of interesting idea and conversation going. Wishing yall a merry Christmas during a difficult year

[@NinjaSushi2]

Damn.. The director of this film is so far above anything made today.

[@luisjtorre]

very interesting, very cool. Thanks for pointing this out, Jack

[@JamieTransNyc]

You speak of a great scene. It is a kind of negotiation: First, The Scots sing in English. Next, The Germans sing in German. Finally: Father Palmer suggests (by playing a few notes on the bagpipes) a compromise: "Lets sing in a neutral language?" Nickolaus Sprink (the Tenor) accepts the proposed solution, and both sides sing in Latin.

[@gusfalk]

wow thanks for the comment

[@Shukovsky]

an incredible thing to share, thank you

[@Chuck-PK]

Music, chocolate, wine, and cats. A true microcosm of humanity

[@Alchrat]

More like 20+ year old single millenial women

[@janemuir3269]

Not to mention the bagpipes!

[@samtrotter7177]

@@Alchrat Only weirdos don't like music, chocolate and wine (dogs over cats for me, though)

[@sauviel6296]

@@samtrotter7177 i like both

[@nastykhan7746]

- There must be war! + We have music. - War I said! +...and chocolate... - War!.. + ..also lots of wine.. - but war... + ...and a little kitten :) - ...there must be truce!

[@Flash-FireCC]

I had to come back to this video because of how it perfectly captured the awkwardness and beauty of a peaceful truce just to celebrate the holiday. I also did not intend to comment but I saw other people recently wishing each other a Merry Christmas so ah, why the heck not? Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and any other holiday you celebrate during this time of the year! 🎁 🎄

[@richthofenfriedrich6345]

The war could've ended there I can't imagine how painful it is to fight the next day after a glorious holiday like this

[@kenj2397]

Richthofen Friedrich unfortunately these events happen in the western front (or few others idk) only

[@saber_2_6]

Richthofen Friedrich ikr I agree

[@devinsword5777]

the war could not be ended by just them. its a nice dream but even if the circumstances where right and word spread quickly of what had happened there on that night, still things would have been the same afterwards. and if you watch the entire movie (joyeux noel), the next day they dont fight, they play soccer (or football, dependant on where you come from) as a last note i would like to add that the evens depicted here did actualy happen, this is based on reality. i dunno if its the first time, but it was certainly the last. it was durring this exact period of time where the man accross the feild changed from 'opponent'- a person which is competing for the same goal as you- to 'enamy'- a being which wants to destroy all that you beleived in, all your dreams, and all your hopes. from opponent to hated enemy, though the people them selves did not change, only the propaganda did.

[@chaos9731]

Richthofen Friedrich truly a beautiful moment amidst the carnage that was world war 1

[@mannyn2587]

What's really sad is that few of the bloodiest battles in modern history happened after the Christmas celebration, including with the introduction of toxic gas. :(

[@Pinio701]

In my opinion "the duel" between a German singer and a Scottish piper, is one of the most moving scenes in the history of cinema.

[@parintelebaiazid80]

It's not a duel, it's a dance. If it was a duel, each one will change the tune, but no! They amplify each other's beautifully! But I see your point and I agree with you completely!

[@rossanderson5504]

Fast forward about 40 years and the British army began to be based in Germany and a lot of British soldiers married Germans

[@bobyacdc]

a duet, the opposit of a duel

[@michaelschabow2911]

@@rossanderson5504 And our Americans married them ALL! German, Italian, French, British! Because we have very good taste in people, thank you very much.

[@mivapusa]

When you need faith in humanity... the war could have ended that night...

[@mivapusa]

***** SSSHHH! STOP RUINING MY DREAMS!

[@Palora01]

and of course, after that every army took steps to make sure this didn't happen by ordering more raids to foster hate for the enemy

[@mivapusa]

Palora SHUSH YOU!

[@Palora01]

I'm saying, there may be humanity, but we let others turn us inhumans.

[@mivapusa]

Palora All for the sake of obeying authority kinda like the electroshock experiment

[@NegiTaiMetal011]

And today we're all brothers Tonight we're all friends A moment of peace in a war that never ends Today we're all brothers We drink and unite Now Christmas has arrived and the snow turns the ground white We always remember, 110 years today. Merry Christmas/Blessed Yule.

[@ahobbit225]

Gonna do a thing here I swore years ago to never do...I'm an old man, 62 yrs. old and I am setting here in my living room crying like a baby. I guess sobbing would be a better description of it...And with tears flowing down my cheeks, I am unashamed. I remember hearing about this from my grandfather when I was a little boy. At the time I cried and was comforted by him, a great whiskery hug, that smelled of his pipe tobacco and felt like love...Now I sit in my house and think of him and the years that have gone by since...These men climbed out of their miserable trenches and, for a moment, the war for them was a thing of the past or no more...They sang, danced, shared food and gifts...Then marched back into their mud lined pits to continue the war...I have seen first hand, with these old eyes the evil that men can do to one another in the rage of battle. Indeed, I have participated in it to stay alive....no excuse...for there can be none, nor forgiveness either, at least not within ones self...The fact that we have to learn to walk, talk, feed ourselves is life. Our parents instruct and we learn...But who teaches us to hate?...Its a question I have never had an answer for...Those men walked out into "No Man's Land" to engage in the purest act of being human there is...The world would have us at each others throats with rock and claw, yet these men answered a call of faith and for a little while, were truly the men that God had intended them to be...Love this story and the truth it contains...I'm done now...Gonna grab my keys and go visit my grandkids that live nearby, maybe even stop and get them presents...I'm going to hug them, maybe tell them this story and even though I don't smoke, if they need a hug, well...Papa has many, many hugs left in him...I have shared more about my service here in these few words than I have with my own family. Although I have 3 notebooks full of them and my family will be able to have them when I am gone...i do not wish to open that Pandora's box while I am living...hurt's...Now, get ready G-kids...here comes Papa...

[@gaijin909]

I signed in here just to give this a thumbs up. I too remember my grandpa telling us kids about this Amazing feat happening. He was not there but he had heard about it when he was in France during WW I. This was the only thing about that war he spoke of. A Hobbit, Thank you for sharing.

[@ahobbit225]

@@gaijin909 my grandfather. while old enough, had broken his left knee at about 14 and had a limp so was exempt from service. My grandmother had 3 younger brothers that went and came home. But they lost 2 of them and quite a few neighbors to the Spanish Flu almost immediately....

[@rahn7]

I've never commented on a KZbin video before but this really moved me. God bless you A Hobbit.

[@ahobbit225]

@@rahn7 One from The Shire...rahn7 I thank you, and send my heartfelt best wishes to all those with a tender soul...My own soul has been besmirched by my past self. Or at least by the things he did to stay alive...I am at ease now, and even though I will never be able to forgive my actions, the love of my children and their children give me contentment. I understand and agree with the fact that there really are things in the world worth fighting for, but I pray that my grand children never have to make the choice I did...Again, thank you and I am honored by your response...

[@TheAmericanSpice]

Thank You, Hobbit, for sharing!! It means more than words can say!!

[@christopheroliver6339]

The end is the best. Arguing over the cats name, and the one guy winning by saying, “it’s headed to the French side “. Priceless

[@lilli117]

Woher willst du wissen, das er gewonnen hat? Es war danach schlagartig Schluß. Vieleicht ist es wegen der Katze wieder zum Streit gekommen, und der Frieden war vorbei ???

[@Apocryph0n.]

@@lilli117 Man könnte auch - vorsicht, ganz abgefahrener Vorschlag - das ein oder andere Buch zu dem Thema lesen und würde sehr schnell herausfinden, dass der Weihnachtsfrieden von 1914 sogar ganz im Gegenteil, entgegen sämtlicher Abmachungen, mehrere Tage andauerte.

[@jacavanheesch4593]

almost started shooting again over the cats name

[@Awells89]

This has become one of my favorite history stories in recent years the fact that one German soldier singing Silent Night was enough to pause a war even if it was for one night. Absolute chills.

[@rafaelstoll3305]

Inst it. Still its nearly incredible that they kept killing each other after this again. Fully aware, theire were killing by brothers and be killed by them. Its absurd, because war is absurd.

[@DavidWeston-yw6ws]

It’s not real. It did not happen. For f**ks sake. It’s debunked

[@Siddich]

it happened on multiple parts of the front. it ws not just one incident, s i heard. so peace seems to be a part of human nature as well as war...and that makes me kinda hopefull...

[@Near14300]

@@rafaelstoll3305They refused to fight after this and the higher ups was forced to reassign these men to continue the fight

[@tallesttree4863]

Christians can show their decency even in the most dire of times, they may be fallible as the rest of us but at heart they take no joy in harming their fellow man. I'm not a Christian but the kindness and generosity of them speaks volumes for the human race and its no wonder it's one of the most prevalent religions.

[@darkraiking680]

The fact that this is a true historical moment, keeps my faith in humanity alive. Even in the worst of times, humans can be genuinely kind to each other. If it weren’t for a select few in power, I doubt war would happen as the majority of people don’t want that kind of bloodshed.

[@Pottan23]

The best part is that it happened on more than one location along the front. The worst part is that the war was only 5 months old at this time, by christmas 1915 alot of these soldiers were either dead or had suffered through another year of war. Added onto that both sides spend christmas 1915 unendingly shelling the other side.

[@teppo9585]

That this wasn´t a turning point in the war shows there´s no hope in the little man as there´s always enough idiots to keep fighting the war for the powers that be even when a handful get their moment of clarity. There´s always enough idiots who trust god and jesus are on their side and not the others because their powers that be told so and they´re little weak idiots who need something given from above to believe in as they don´t have any reason to believe in themselves.

[@ExceedProduction]

Sadly today we hate each other again, for some reason. Everyone harbours some kind of misgivings for the others. Look at the Ukraine-Russia war. They were once one people, proud and strong, now brother is murdering brother, while the rest of the world watches and fuels the fire. It is fucking sad.

[@connich8996]

@@ExceedProduction unfortunately humans have the immense arrogance required to never learn from past mistakes and atrocities. We think of our selves as a modern civilised society but in reality in a hundred years time people will look back at us and everything that has gone on over the last 20 years in horror. History has always repeated its self it has for thousands of years and it will keep going untill we break the chain

[@BDNeon]

If it's any recompense, the angry and greedy old aristocrats who so eagerly rushed headlong into WW1 were decimated by the results of the conflict, nearly every empire was reformed into a republic of some kind, many saw their former royal leaders exiled or murdered, and even those that ostensibly retained their empire saw a massive shift away from the aristocracy having any say in how their country was run. They paid for their greed for domination with annihilation.

[@anstjsdlr]

I am a war history maniac, and I am actually majoring Korean War history in a graduate school, preparing for my dissertation. This movie, and the Christmas Truce in 1914, is all that I need to keep studying War history. sometimes a miracle can bloom from the hell itself.

[@andmos1001]

Humanity and war is like the jing and jang. Both of them is needed to show eatch other what is better and they can not function without either of them batting eatch other out. In war, humans has the greatest challenge to be humane and to trive and raise above the carnage. There will be traitors, heros and death. But also brotherhood, humanity and love

[@erlanggaprasetyo1606]

Sun Moon so, I hope the two sides of Korea could have such a night like this, but you guys should remove that landmines stretching all over 38th paralel.

[@spriteqcx0]

Woah that statement kinda blew my mind ^. It's so true. We need disasters and war to appreciate peace and prosperity. We need rainy days to appreciate sunny days. The human mind is such a weird place.

[@63yank]

When I was a young teen in Rural Atlantic Canada ,and seemed a born history buff , I met more than 10 WW 1 Vets and met a man with the same experience and was lucky enough to hear it from him . He shared tea and smoke with Jerry as he called them . It had really set in his soul , he teared as he told story and now , 50 years later viewing this .his story to me comes back . We should all hold these pawns of rich men in esteem and don;t forget they served and died cause they were drafted or sold the package . Peace Greed is the enemy of all

[@mikeeaton8483]

Friend read " August 1914" by Barbara Tuchman if you haven't already. Best war treatise I've ever read. It may make you look at the French differently.

[@AdonInvictus329]

France: It’s Nestor Germany: No it’s Felix Me: Shut up and just call it Netflix.

[@WIKO-]

It’s the other way around

[@ignaciog5818]

Jason

[@LordDefekator]

Amazon Prime

[@derdoctor9357]

ja und der krieg wäre vorbei 👍

[@zachall101]

Kyle Dumangas ha ha ha 😂 this should have way more likes lol 😆

[@stevebienko8445]

This still brings a tear to my eye, Merry Christmas everyone

[@N3XXprod]

🖤

[@Michael-Brings]

It's actually a very touching moment. Peace for all of us. Greetings from Germany

[@brucekilby9957]

Greetings from Australia to all the country's and their peoples. This a beautiful movie.🇦🇺😊

[@nappyheadedjosh6578]

Hope everyone and their families are having a good day and nothing but happiness and health. Greetings from America

[@SStupendous]

Michael Brings greetings! Lol

[@paulbourguignon3632]

Greetings from France. Hope we will never go to war again each other’s.

[@ikelevermann1491]

@@paulbourguignon3632 Hello Paul. This will never happen again. Vive la France

[@PeteyGunn]

My name is Francis Tolliver, I live in Liverpool; a few years ago the war was waiting for me after school. From Flanders to Belgium, Germany to here, I fought for King and Country I love dear. Tis Christmas in the trenches and the frost so bitter hung, the frozen fields of France were cold, no songs of peace were sung. Our families back in England, were toasting us that day: our brave and glorious lads so far away. I was lying with me mess mates, on the cold and rocky ground when across the lines of battle came a most peculiar sound; says "aye now listen up me boys" each soldier strained to hear as one young German voice sang out so clear. He's singin bloody well you know my partner says to me soon one by one each German voice joined in, in harmony The cannons rested silent, the gas clouds rolled no more, as Christmas gave us respite from the war. After he was finished and a reverent pause was spent, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen struck up some lads from Kent. The next they sang was Stille Nacht, tis silent night says I and in two tongues one song filled up that sky. There's some coming towards us now; the front line sentry cried. All sights were fixed on one lone figure trudging from their side, his truce flag like a Christmas star shone on the plane so bright, as he bravely trudged unarmed into the night. Then one by one on either side walked into no mans land; with neither gun or bayonet, we met there hand to hand. We shared some secret Brandy, and wished each other well, and in a flare lit football game we gave them hell. We traded chocolates and cigarettes and photographs from home, these sons and fathers far away from families of their own. Young Saunders played the squeezebox, they had a violin. This curious and unlikely band of men. Soon daylight stole upon us, and France was France once more. With sad farewells we each began to settle back to war, but the question haunted every heart that lived that wondrous night; Whose family have I fixed within my sights. Tis Christmas in the trenches, and the frost so bitter hung. The frozen fields of France were warmed, the songs of peace were sung. For the walls they built between us, to exact the work of war; were shattered and torn forevermore. My name is Francis Tolliver, in Liverpool I dwell, each Christmas comes since world war one I've learned its lessons well. For those who call the shots aren't among the dead and lame; and on each end of the rifle we're the same

[@Cjnw]

The Beatles should have set this to music!

[@TheRuddster95]

Chills

[@bencefoldvari8037]

Beautiful🙂

[@peterobbo7512]

Top job Gunn. Nice one.

[@benester4225]

Probably one of the most, if not, the most brave actions in the whole of human history. A fearful man knows when to fight, a brave man knows when to not.

[@mrcaboosevg6089]

It wasn't just the once, this happened independently all over the western front

[@CountryLifestyle2023]

First we sent cans of food to the Germans, when we heard them celebrating we than sent grenades, Merry Christmas!

[@oliviawutam]

All wars and killing of soldiers everywhere are the work of politicians who don't send their sons to war, Cowards all of them , shame

[@CountryLifestyle2023]

@@oliviawutam uhhh not true.

[@zzodysseuszz]

@@CountryLifestyle2023and they sent millions more

[@adrianolubini5079]

Exactly 110 years ago that happened. One of the rare moments we can have faith in humankind . Merry Christmas everyone.

[@therealgamingderps9608]

Scottish battalions are never seen in these WW1 videos and I love how they were portrayed in this video. Kudos to you.

[@Halmiyar]

TheReal GamingDerps You'll never see this kind of scene in Hollywood movies ahah, but the truth is in European movie. This is a French movie here

[@ChickenLiver911]

Nor do you see Kiwis Canucks or Aussies

[@debetrolence1991]

@@ChickenLiver911 we can thank the English for that. They didn't show any role of Scottish, Aussies or Canadian soldiers and thought they won the war by themselves.

[@afriendlycadian9857]

@@debetrolence1991 fuck off do you have any evidence to back that shit up half og my family come from the north and the other from east of the uk yet i have never seen or heard anyone etc say or write that

[@edsr164]

Me too

[@anakeveney7186]

The German opera singer thanks the Frenchman in French for the champagne. That was huge.

[@Squrrillyadams]

I noticed that too. The little details add so much.

[@samgray49]

If you get a chance, go and see the Opera Silent Night, it's about the Christmas truce. My cousin Kevin wrote it and we saw it opening night at the Philadelphia Opera House and were amazed.

[@jzpatelut]

Thanks dear '@@samgray49' !!!! WELL MARRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL IN ADVANCE !!!! 19:30 PM FRIDAY 4TH.DEC.2020 !!!!! JITEN PATEL GUJARAT INDIA EMAIL [e-mail] OR MOBILE [phone] THANKS FOR READING...jzpatelut...

[@speeddemon0117]

They all seem to understand each other.

[@lydiaupssilon504]

Ja. Und dann will er ihm von seiner Schokolade etwas abgeben und er ist böse misstrauisch und dann nimmt er Alles . Typisch

[@darthjoshua6663]

This is why Christmas is the best time of the year.

[@ЭйУасся]

лето лучшее время.привет из сибири.

[@bingtunder683]

Christmas is the power of human belief realised. That the darkest coldest nights can be the warmest and brightest. Magic that works every year like clockwork.

[@Boatlane22]

Wish I could say that iv just been kick out my house now living in the car with nothing

[@kaelvxd]

@@Boatlane22 that's okay pal, u can still make your Christmas special

[@punkXking]

@@Boatlane22 small blip, easy for me to say. Keep on keepin on

[@vitslunecko8445]

Toto je humanita. Čert vem válku. Šťastné vanoce všem dobrým lidem.

[@sicfaciuntomnes5604]

The largest war in the history of the human race (at the time) nearly ended in a single day because the lads wanted a nice peaceful Christmas and started seeing each other as brothers again after months of murder and hate... This will always be my favourite moment in history! Imagine if the soldiers that replaced them adopted the same attitude and the ones after them etc, Imagine if the other service branches joined in too.... The war would've fizzled out in a week with no side willing to kill the other. Germans marching home, Brits sailing back to Britain etc... Imagine the Kaiser, King and Tsar absolutely losing the plot as all of their soldiers, sailors and airmen just pissed off home, no longer interested in the family feud....

[@Spetsnaz0o1]

It was a beautiful moment, didn't "nearly end" the war though. It was a few separate events up and down the line, some just shouting, singing and throwing gifts across to each other and some actual meetings like this. Ceasefires were the most common way of marking that Christmas, but there were instances of one side trying to approach the other and getting bursts of gunfire for their troubles.

[@neehawk777]

I adjusted the time frame, only by a couple of hours. Any other day it wouldn't make any difference, but this is Christmas 1914, and a human miracle is about to happen. The Christmas Armistice....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. - 12th Doctor, "Twice Upon a Time".

[@pocketinfinity6733]

"The war to end all wars...it ended nothing"

[@andreslinares6429]

Ever heard of the 100 years war?

[@sheridan5175]

@@neehawk777 Got about halfway in and then did a double take on that first line and nearly said "wait" out loud

[@nogum9763]

Merry christmas from germany, be thankful that we are at peace. And mind those who arent. Have a blessed night.

[@KevinTarka]

Marry Christmas, my sibling from across the pond. And a happy New Year.

[@nogum9763]

@@KevinTarka merr crimes

[@Saui1299]

@@KevinTarka marry Christmas we can be happy that we are in peaceful times atleast in Europe and in North America.

[@brianwinchester8954]

Fröliche Weihnachten

[@nogum9763]

@@brianwinchester8954 frohe wheinachten

[@jacobfarren158]

"Nestor is heading for, the French side" Germans: "Traitor!"

[@SSIronHeart]

Why is it that cats are..... well cats. That cat us playing both sides. Food and a warm bed from both the French and the Germans. The worst part? The ABSOLUTE worst part???!!! There kitty's.... and therecuteandfluffyandsmushable.... so fluffy

[@luckysonningshen480]

@@SSIronHeart what?

[@MercurialStatic]

@@luckysonningshen480 that cat probably slept better than most of those soldiers. It’s called playing the field and knowing your strengths.

[@averagepantherenjoyer6995]

Underrated comment

[@fancy_pants8889]

You mean "Verräter!"

[@ol6374]

My great grandfather joined when he was 15 he fought with his 13 school friends of the same age only 2 returned, he remembered this being done across from his trenches in Belgium Christmas 1916 it's very true they played football and cricket and ate Christmas cake from Germany, war hurts but men heal.

[@Bartleby1892]

I get very emotional watching this. The cup my great grandfather shared with a British soldier that night is one of my dearest possessions but also I can't help but think that this was a missed opportunity for an early end to the war. History could've been changed forever.

[@darkwhitedirewolf]

Thanks for sharing this part of your family. Respect to you all.

[@hamjaro2920]

I can't help but see everyone is human twisted by the tentacles of politics. Thank you for sharing the story of your heirloom and may we attempt to preserve it's message to this day

[@od1401]

The value in the cup is worth more than any winning lottery ticket, you're a lucky man. And I'm not speaking financially, I mean that cup symbolises the triumph of humanity and compassion. Your great grandfather must've been a wonderful man.

[@jackmccann3018]

I speak for everyone when I say post a photo of that cup if you could. That's amazing it really is and to have that cup which I would say is an artifact and a piece of modern history that was present at what I'd say one of the most monumental times of humanity and the one time humanity was just that. Humanity. That's nothing short of amazing

[@chitakimushroom4309]

Damn take care of that good my guy

[@StigaWorldCup]

When the Germans heard the bagpipes & he started singing. I started crying. The fact that enemy’s can put aside there differences & bond even if it’s just for a moment. Is a beautiful thing. These are among the greatest men that had ever fought a war.

[@johnmc7587]

Just a pity they went back to killing each other.

[@iztaccoyotl5388]

enemies would be friends if they were told as such.

[@melspauldingify]

stop lying you didn't start crying

[@Haddockk1]

It's amazing that the species that created such a monster can do such beautiful things. I hope that this can be of all times. Especially now.

[@Synchronicety]

germans the scotts, the irish never where enemies. We all should know, who want's the wars

[@sammy3308]

This old American soldier cried. When I saw this Christmas morning Dec 25 2020

[@bandkgrover]

Thank you for your service.

[@bigchief70]

Thank you for your service

[@tedmerr]

I watch this film every Christmas Eve

[@onetiredslav7092]

Thank you for your service.

[@ginafromcologne9281]

Ein schönes und gesundes neues Jahr! :)

[@Doom_Slug]

Love from Scotland, Merry Christmas and peace be with you all. < 3

[@tanakerrr]

“War is when the young and stupid are tricked by the old and bitter into killing each other.” - Niko Bellic

[@northscot9862]

aye,SAOR ALBA GU BRATH

[@majdichabbeh]

when video games characters were wiser than politicians ...

[@JustSad66]

Its not an accurate version, but oh, it makes me smile. Then cry. The sound of the pipes may annoy, if you hear someone practicing, but an accomplished piper can bring tears just filling the bag! Glad to be Scots!..ps, want to defeat an enemy? Get the antagonists to play Grand theft Auto, or, since they are all quite old, Space invaders! Yes,im that old too!

[@robinstewart6510]

If you really believe that, you are indeed stupid. Heck, just look around you. It's not the old and bitter causing gangs to kill each other in our streets. There are hundreds of such examples.

[@mikecimerian6913]

@@JustSad66 There is something about pipes that reaches deep in our feelings. Heck, they still play pipes in Dune and it is 10,000 years in the future. :)

[@marcesemaschietto]

"Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die" Herbert Hoover

[@hugoflores4095]

When young people want to go to war, they should show them this scene. There's nothing good about war.

[@chefrodriguez6287]

@@hugoflores4095 exactly my uncle told me how his uncle at 19 had to go to war in World War 1. he was so young.

[@nicw2869]

Not true tho, men of all ages (from as young as 15 to as old as 75) were sent to fight.

[@chefrodriguez6287]

@@nicw2869 you get my point tho... young men (kids) went and fought a war they didn't know about.

[@jordanelder321]

@@hugoflores4095 nah that’s a lie, there’s a lot of fun in war, my grandad fought in the guards parachute platoon. He misses the fighting. And the food

[@nozyspy4967]

Legend says the war almost ended that night, but they went back to war over whether the cat was called Felix or Nestor.

[@thecatpersonuk9962]

The cat of course had orchestrated this due to their superior power

[@cspiercy7163]

@@thecatpersonuk9962 In truth the cat was executed for being a traitor which was ridiculous.

[@Pitty212on]

@@cspiercy7163 u wot m8

[@gamerboyss5310]

FOR NESTOR WE FIGHT AAAAARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[@redsnoof]

@@gamerboyss5310 FOR FELIX!!!!!

[@fallenrushernaniking]

Watching this on Christmas is amazing!

[@An_Fitheach_Dubh]

"But we're not English! We're Scottish!" :-D

[@thekriegsmarine5621]

Scotland is not a real country. You are just an Englishmen with a dress!

[@stevenguild2707]

The Kreigsmarine Them is fighting words...

[@afriendlycadian9857]

@@thekriegsmarine5621 those are some big words me we lad want to back em up eh

[@afriendlycadian9857]

@@thekriegsmarine5621 made me laugh more than anything you trying to get the enemy to die laughing?

[@thekriegsmarine5621]

@@afriendlycadian9857 No, I'm honestly running out of voicelines more than anything. I'm Happy I made you laugh as the comments were just jokes. I was just using Soldiers Response for Dominations as a joke. The first comment was his Domination for Demoman and the second was a Voice line for Dominating another Soldier and Demoman, Respectfully.

[@Dunkelzifferchen]

It`s 2020 Christmas Eve, I'm far away from home, alone, everything is in lockdown, watching this clip and can't hold my tears. Merry Christmas my lads!

[@kinnay7839]

Same my brothers

[@Cwswb]

Same brother. Merry Christmas! All will start to get better soon, the tide has turned.

[@riche1503]

every time I see it I have tears

[@Persn-cp2yo]

Stay safe

[@timothyfreeman97]

Trent horn and wife

[@dastemplar9681]

Who knew that Scottish bagpipes and German Tenor Opera could be such a beautiful combination. Even if the languages and instruments are foreign, they all know the same songs by heart. In the end we are all God’s children and we all deserve peace and happiness. Merry Christmas ❤️

[@michaelschabow2911]

And when the piper played "Adeste Fidelus" which we ALL sing in Latin. Too cool!

[@chrisjones7236]

Bagpipes are originally roman

[@RossHamilton-wb9cb]

Well they are the Scot’s now and forever will be.. the romans wouldn’t have played them as good as the Scots do 😂🤷‍♂️

[@TheLocoMariposa]

❤

[@jamesbutler6253]

@@chrisjones7236 No they're not, the Egyptian and Roman pipes were nothing like the Scottish bagpipes, they only had one pipe. Modern bagpipes are Scottish.

[@davidbassenghi6547]

Incontournable moment de cinéma ! Emotion, espoir, fraternité, avec une pointe d'humour. La musique comme déclencheur d'humanité. Splendide !

[@JohnDoe-bx8eg]

scene still makes me tear up, so easily put differences aside. The world could be an incredible place to live in.

[@spencemathieu9039]

Bien sur, mais malheureusement...

[@primary2630]

In the end, we're all human

[@mushfiqurrahman1107]

I am a Bangladeshi and I have no business with European wars or their celebrations. Yet, my eyes are blurry now with tears. I'm crying for unknown people that lived on a distant land on a distant time.... what unites us? I don't know what that is, but I'm certain we are indeed united.

[@Durzy007]

This is where you are wrong. This was not a European war, but a world war. Many Indian people fought in the First and Second World Wars. At that time, the present Bangladesh belonged to India. It is worth watching the entire movie from which this scene is taken. It simply tells about the stupidity of all wars and human nature.

[@amandautah]

Your tears.. proof of your humanity and love for your fellowman. When we take opportunities to be kind to strangers. That’s what Unites us.

[@melspauldingify]

stop lying you didn't have tears in your eyes 😒

[@mushfiqurrahman1107]

@@melspauldingify sure love, you would know since I sleep with you at night

[@philipwheeler7317]

It is because it is the power of God. Christ Jesus said when he was lifted up on the cross he would drrsw all men too him. He is the Prince of Peace. Modern Christmas and the hymns they sang in particular honor his birth. Peace on earth goodwill toward men. Nothing else could do that I think.

[@josephvaknin4739]

My German grandfather Freidrich Jacob told my mother who told me that on the eastern front in Russia, the Germans and Russians played music and sang to each other at night around Christmas. My great grandfather Louis Wilhelm Reifeis probably experienced the same in WWI. That story has always remained with me. I always wish I had the chance to know my grandfather, but he died when I was three in 1968. Last February I named one of my twins after him. Unfortunately, it is often hard to see the humanity in our enemies. This is a beautiful story. I imagine my grandfather experiencing this.

[@Vkyc]

вы правы мы обычные люди со своими маленькими радостями . мы всего лишь песчинки . у нас нет ненависти друг к другу . и мы одинаково любим жизнь и родину !

[@thekladionicar]

This is not a beautiful story at all. This a story that shows all human stupidity and nonsense of war and killing. This is a story that tells us that wars cant be fought without a men willing to kill each other. There is no general, no law no politics that can force you to do something if you refuse. Than you can stop and think how stupid we people are actually, how selfish and evil. Always looking for a reason to fight, like we are going to live thousand years. We could build a paradise on earth if we only want to do that, but we choose to create hell and suffering. Call me a coward, but I see no way and no reason to point a gun at someone I dont even know and end his life. How stupid is that, that they killed each other and then decided to sing a song together and take a break because its Christmas. Like they are taking a break at some stupid playground, and than next day just continue where they stopped. In my mind thats even sicker and worse than just continuously killing each other. Because you either hate your enemy and want to end him or you dont. Christmas cant change that, nor you are better man if you take a break for a second.

[@Fiskeplaske]

​​@@thekladionicar shush and i aint reading allat

[@GESUNDHEITINSTITUTE2]

@@thekladionicar, fight for this film...to be shown in schools, instead of Schwindler's List..!

[@ponyboycurtis506]

@@thekladionicarit shows the humanity in people, the light inside, that can bleed through in the worst of situations.

[@in_the_vortex]

They might not have understood each other, but music is a universal language. No one needs to know the language to know that music is beautiful

[@anakeveney7186]

The looks on the opposing side's faces. "They are human beings like us."

[@thunderspear2251]

Especially with everything going on nowadays, I feel it's more important than it's been in a long time for people to see this. To remind people that it doesn't matter what you believe, what banner you stand under. We're all human beings, and we're not beneath making peace with each other.

[@faridperalta2340]

This makes me happy

[@tomlucas4890]

Politicians make war, its the people who have to sacrifice, while they sit back in safe comfort and rake in the rewards to make them rich. Its time to say noooooooooo.

[@Carpatouille]

@@thunderspear2251 But look at what happens when you don't fight for your country like in WW2, you get destroyed and killed. Also some people just don't want peace or to respect others, and force wars upon others. If it was possible I think every person in existence would want to avoid war and want peace, but it's not always an option.

[@jamiedude1050]

@@tomlucas4890 Most people are aware of this today, probably why if conscription happened most would just say no.

[@mkaykaykayy]

won’t deny it, tears pouring down my face… sadness, happiness… just beautiful. Respect to all 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇫🇷 ❤️

[@christianrichter4233]

I can't watch this without tears in my eyes . I hope you don't mind that I am german.

[@ilhaamsyah2402]

@@christianrichter4233 Why? Germany standing in front of EU convince Russia for not doing military aggresion. We proud of you all Germans, im muslim btw 🇮🇩🕊️

[@Kanefan701]

Even I had tears pouring from my face too, mostly by the song of Silent Night my personal fave Christmas song that my mother sang to me when I was little and every Christmas she'd sing to me on the night of Christmas Eve. One time I can remember doing a school play re-enactment of the Christmas Truce where I was one of the British soldiers who met and shook hands with the German officer where they all came out and celebrated. I can remember it well and as a kid I had tears streaming down my face as did everyone else as part of the play but in truth we were crying for real.

[@mrcaboosevg6089]

@@christianrichter4233 There were no good guys in WW1, all involved had blood on their hands. Millions dead for nothing

[@jamesmcclements4354]

Im crying too mate

[@floewmpmp1299]

As a young man half-french, half-german, it just makes me cry to see that. To imagine my ancestors reduced at the state of beasts during four years makes me so sad. I hope we never see that again. I'm glad this christmas truce existed, it's hope in darkness.

[@randomiscellaneousness1483]

I feel the same as someone who is half-English, a quarter German, and a quarter Polish.

[@mikecimerian6913]

J'ai connu un Alsacien dont une moitié de la famille avait été enrôlée dans la Wehrmacht et l'autre moitié avait des résistants et la grand-mère arrivait à faire tenir la famille ensemble malgré tout.

[@buster9102]

I'm full English no need to say sorry my friends its in the past and the past is past we are here and now trying to do the best for our children huge respect to you all and all your ancestors our tears show that we can overcome the past without ill feelings

[@existenceisrelative]

Hope in darkness. Well said.

[@GamerLolly77]

Du bist doch der beste Beweis das es nicht nur hass zwischen deutschen und franzosen hab , lang lebe die liebe!!!

[@gatorman5547]

I’m a veteran and nothing would’ve pleased me more than letting a few dozen politicians settle their beef in a gladiatorial boxing area while the few hundred thousand fellow soldiers placed bets on those who were gambling with their lives 😂 I’ve served alongside Jordanians, British, Canadians, Australians, Kuwaitis, Netherlanders, Israelis, Qataris, Bahrainis and, South Koreans. No mater the nation or place we found ourselves in, there was a sense of camaraderie and sense of belonging that I’ve never been able to replicate in civilian life. No matter who or what you believe in, this was one of the greatest moments in history and it’s hard to deny the existence of God after watching this movie. The amount of faith that the Chaplain had when he provided mass for all three Armies he said to his Bishop “I sincerely believe that our Lord Jesus Christ guided me in what was the most important Mass of my life. I tried to be true to his trust and carry his message to all, whoever they may be.” I’m not sure if that line was simply put into the film for drama or not but, it’s a very powerful message regardless. I hope that one day we’ll all be able to sit down with our politicians’ enemies, share a beer and go fishing together. God bless y’all.

[@wwld9823]

"felix!" "no it's nestor" and thus the war resumed

[@capt_noo]

the real reason why the war continued

[@w.a3210]

@@capt_noo BAHAHA

[@NonDHPccbVerapamil]

Felix-Nestor War

[@junthepiper]

Just name it Netflix 😆

[@w.a3210]

@@mcbigweener Fuck you and your stupidity 🖕🏼dumbass