MovieChat Forums > Joyeux Noël (2005) Discussion > When did you cry?

When did you cry?

posted 17 years ago by man_of_stars
66 replies | jump to latest

I was just wondering when/if anybody else was crying at some time during this movie. I always cry when watching a sad movie, but I felt like I waited forever to cry on this. There was moment after moment when I started thinking "Alright, now I'm gonna cry", but I never did, until that other guy held that cermon about Germans being evil and take the sword of God and strike them down. It's the only time I've ever cursed a priest. I just hated the way he manipulate religion like that, not to heal and bring love, as it is meant to, but to spread hate between people who had discovered that they are not so different after all, and to make some people into evil beings because of where they were born and what language they were speaking. He represented everything that's wrong about religious leaders (not that all of them are like this, far from it, but those who uses their influence for all the wrong reasons instead of bringing people together)

(I realise I haven't made myself to clear in this post, but I had to get it out)

Norwegian for "Oh, cock!" is "Åh, kuk!"

[–] tadams5 17 years ago

I must admit that when Sprink boldly emerged from the trench, Christmas tree in hand and walked between the two lines singing Adeste Fideles I welled up with emotion. I'm not one to cry during movies, but I was very moved by this scene.

[–] megatosspot 17 years ago

Good grief.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] E-Hallie 17 years ago

Just thought I should mention that the man who gave that sermon was a prodestant minister. Not a preist. And I'm quite sure I cried when the Germans were being taken to the Russian front and started humming 'I'm dreaming of Home'

[–] pedregal_boy 17 years ago

He was a Catholic priest.

[–] acwoodcraft-1 11 years ago

Catholic or Church of England?

A heart can be broken, but it still keeps a-beatin' just the same.

[–] ale_aguilo 7 years ago

The bishop was Anglican, he has not authority over a catholic priest, therefore, I conclude he was not catholic. The Catholic church can be neutral as it is not submitted by any country, however, at that time the Church of England and The Church of Scotland basically preached "good vs evil". That is why I've always have trouble understanding "national churches", as they seem to mix patriotism with religion.

Every christian in true nature should oppose a war.

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:44-45

[–] SealordJohn 16 years ago

I disagree with you claiming that the main religious character was a protestant minister. He was using Latin when he recited the prayers. I know because I grew up Catholic when Latin was used at all masses. Plus I took 2 years of Latin in high school.
I'm a Protestant now and never heard a Protestant minister recite Latin.

[–] myollnir 14 years ago

Protestant? In Scotland? With bishops in a violet robe?
I wouuld say no. But maybe you are right, because there was no Communion (a priest would have easily blessed biscuits)

[–] KvMauB 17 years ago

Interesting point you brought up about "I felt like I waited forever to cry on this. There was moment after moment..." because I was feeling the same way.

Joyeux Noel is a very powerful, meaningful film and I felt genuinely moved by many scenes in it. But to address your question, perhaps fortunately, it did not get the typical "big" Hollywood treatment (being a French film).

What I expected, and what I think was missing was.... a swelling, rousing, inspirational musical score to heighten the emotion of key scenes (and pushed the tear factor over the top). I have gotten so used to this convention in American films (Glory, Schindler's List, Platoon some good examples) that I noticed it's absence in Joyeux Noel.

I'm not complaining about the beautiful incidental music that is in the movie. I suppose the absence of a background score made it more realistic.

[–] the_black_rabbit_of_inle 17 years ago

I didnt cry, but it really hurt me when that guy with the clock died.

"Many a false step has been made by standing still."

[–] invierno 17 years ago

Well, that was the moment when I cried. When the guy with the clock died.

[–] cutenewt 16 years ago

The music is a really interesting point. It was absolutely gorgeous - but not a big swelling Hollywood blockbuster score. The very nature of the music really supported the film. I was held on the edge, not crying but absolutely spellbound, by the story and the music combined. That's a successful movie! I'm a performing musician myself and it's very rare that a movie is able to capture that silent spellbound feeling that you sometimes get from an audience (when the performance goes really well!). This movie did it more than once.
So when did I cry? At the very last sketch that ran during the credits at the end of the movie when the camera slowly pulls back from the center of the picture and the cat comes into view, looking over his shoulder with almost a little grin on his face.

[–] oneear 17 years ago

When All the soldiers started to leave the trenches the first time. Just knowing that no one wanted to fight on that night or maybe never wanted to fight at all!

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] fabricelaurens 16 years ago

i never cried in this french movie because christian carion stole for a part and made a plagiary of keith gordon's masterpiece "a midnight clear" movie.
It's like "de battre mon coeur s'est arrété" if you compare with "fingers" it's plagiary too, and that means once more and i mean it that france sucks bye ! (i'm french and god bless america)

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] remifontainemoi 16 years ago

I cried when the credits started for some reason.

[–] ursaminor1985 16 years ago

Was close to crying when the bagpipes starting playing to the singing german tenor. But what really got me was when Ponchet got shot. What a film....its incredible. Reprising the song at the end credits was beautiful too.

[–] horrorfanaticgirl 16 years ago

I cried mid way through the credits...that last song was beautiful.

The patient's screaming disturbing me, performed removal of vocal chords. ~Zombie Holocaust

[–] aether_1138 16 years ago

I shed a few tears when they began to bury the dead. I found the whole scene incredibly moving.

"All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain."
-Roy Batty

[–] somethingskeletal 16 years ago

I cried when Lt Audebert found out he had a son, Henri.

[–] rusty-trombone 16 years ago

I was crying when....Oh wait, I didn't cry because this was just a movie. Wah!

[–] jessica-marantelli 12 years ago

Yes that was the moment for me too, as he held his aide-de-camp as he was dying and telling Audebert of his son. Other emotional/favourite moments of the movie for me were when Horstmayer explained the reason behind his good French, his kindness towards Audebert and finally as the germans humm on the way to death at the russian front. Overall a great movie that everyone should see to understand the spirit of comraderie.

[–] rfruiz 16 years ago

I did not cry..

but the emotions were really strong when the scottish started playing the bagpipes while the german guy was singing !!

I think the bagpipes is quite special.. but especially two ennemies in war, in peace for a little while.. in such a way! and well.. it's beautiful moment in the movie ! ;)

cheers.

[–] Villemar 16 years ago

Funny thread, maybe it was me but I was sobbing like a baby a lot during this movie, which is interesting because movies NEVER make me cry. I just found it so incredibly beautiful, I don't know what it was. Good thing I saw it alone so my rugged tough guy manly-man image wasn't tarnished!