I’m addicted to the Hallmark Channel. There. I’ve said it. You know the truth.
There are some features that are adaptations of books that are first shown as a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie for television. Maeve Binchy’s Saint Maybe. Back When We Were Grownups. What the Deaf Man Heard. They are always well done with a good story line and fine performances.
Some are saccharine in nature; silly but fun and a bit of an escape. December brings out every modern Santa Clause, girl named Noel, boy named Nick, and more.
Then, there are a few movies that are so well done with good casting, acting, sets, and storylines that they make you want to learn more about the subject or time or place.
Silent Night is one of these movies.
The movie is based on an episode which aired several years ago on Unsolved Mysteries, as told by Fritz Vincken, who immigrated to the States from Germany. Fritz was trying to locate some American GI’s he spent a night with in Germany at the end of World War II. Through the show, was able to connect with one who was still living.
Silent Night is the story of a strong, determined woman, Elizabeth Vincken, and soldiers who come in from the cold on December 24, 1944.
Elizabeth, played by Linda Hamilton, goes to the family’s cabin, deep in the woods of Germany, in hopes of keeping her son safe from the war which is encroaching closer and closer to their home as the last days of WWII are fought. Her husband is fighting at the front, her father a casualty of the first World War.
As a simple meal is being prepared in the cabin, Elizabeth and her son are surprised by American soldiers seeking shelter from the bitter cold. One of the men is seriously wounded and needs attention. The distrust of the soldiers, and of Elizabeth, is palpable. The acting is superb. Then, there is the young boy, Fritz; scared and curious, as young boys often are.
The situation becomes more complicated with a knock to the door and a group of German soldiers come in. The tension and fragile atmosphere in the little cabin becomes even more so, but, Elizabeth is strong and principled and insists that all guns be put down for the night.
I don’t wish to give you the impression that this is an easy story. It is not. The hatred, fatigue, and weariness of war is deftly portrayed. The scenes all take place in and around the cabin. There is no way out. There is little to eat and nowhere to go. The men, hardened by war and trained to kill each other, are all traps set to spring at any moment. A lone soldier suffers n the only other room of the cabin.
As the story unfolds, the animosity lessens. A truce comes about, at least for the night, and the words “peace on earth” take on a true meaning, as does Silent Night.
If you have the Hallmark Channel(s), I think this will repeat next week. If not, check out your library. I promise you, Silent Night is a poignant drama that captures all the goodwill this season evokes.
We don’t have that channel here, but you describe the story so well that I felt I was there. It’s a good reminder of the cooperation and goodwill that is part of Christmas.
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It is, Juliet. I wish you could see it as it is a wonderful story and brings home the meaning of Christmas better than most.
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I saw most of this movie a week or two ago. I had to leave so I recorded it. I will try again, because I missed the beginning. So, actually I have seen the middle. I want my husband to see this. He seems to think most Hallmark movies are alike, especially at Christmas, but this one is in a class by itself. Elizabeth is such a force for peace that she influences a bunch of warriors on opposing sides to have peace and goodwill at least on this one Silent Night. It is a bit grim compared to most Christmas movies filled with lights, toys and Santa,but it sends a powerful message. Thanks for your review. I hope your readers will look for it.
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Check your listings, Janet. I think it is showing again next week. I hope Jim sees it. You are absolutely right. It is not the typical Hallmark movie. I don’t mind the grimness of it because the message is so bright. You captured my feelings better than I could say them, for which I am grateful. I thought that LInda Hamilton did such a fine job as Elizabeth and the German colonel was so fierce. The actor who played him, I can’t remember his name, is wonderful in the role.
I hope they will, too.
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Obviously, we have no Hallmark Channel over here; on the whole, I find war movies not to my liking but this one sounds exceptional. And different. If I come across it, I’ll give it a go.
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It really isn’t a war movie, Friko, but more of a story of how goodwill can overcome animosities. It really is well done. I hope you come across it sometime. Best.
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We’ll see if we can track it down, Penny: we used to get the Hallmark Channel but I’ve not seen it for yonks. It looks a wonderful film.
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I’m surprised you were once able to get the Hallmark Channel there, Kate. It is a wonderful film and would be good for the kids to see as well. Hope you can find it sometime.
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At&t dropped the Hallmark channel and I do miss it, they had some wonderful movies over the years. I’ll just have to read a Christmas story. I have A Christmas Blizzard by Garrison Keillor, that is the one you mentioned at book group?
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I would miss Hallmark if it were dropped too, Sharon. This one is particularly good and I think Bill would like it as well. Actually, A Christmas Blizzard is the book I got in our grab bag. Donna L brought it. She got it last year in the grab bag and liked it and thought it might be a good one for us to read next year. I haven’t read it yet, but, plan to in the next week or two. I always enjoy Garrison Keillor. It should be good. Let me know what you think.
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Well, I don’t get it either! But I’ll bet Netflix will have it at some point. The other titles you listed have been available. I would enjoy a movie with the level of poignancy you are describing, so I’ll add it to the little list I keep of titles I need to remember! I’ll bet it was a nice break from all the activity to sit down and see a quality movie. Debra
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I’m pretty sure it is out on DVD, Debra, so, you should be able to find it at the library, NetFlicks, etc. It was a nice break from the hustle and bustle. Finally starting to look like Christmas here. One tree up.
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I don’t have cable so I didn’t catch this movie but I will definitely look for it at the library. This reminds me of the story about the soldiers during WWII (or was it WWI) who put down their weapons and celebrated Christmas Eve together. I wonder if humans will ever evolve beyond war.
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Janet, it is in the interlibrary system, so, you can check it out. It is well worth watching and not the typical Hallmark type, by which I mean the guys will like it too. I wonder the same thing and don’t have many high hopes (but, still, we can hope).
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