37 min
Christmas eve, 1943. A small Georgia town struggles with the rationing and sacrifices of America at war. Christmas is no exception as 11-year-old Gordy and his sister Priscilla sense a fear in the train station where they await their father’s homecoming. Propaganda posters and tense adult talk drive home the evil of the enemy. When a train loaded with German POWs arrives in the station, Gordy’s curiosity is stronger than his fear. He dares to approach the prison train and makes contact with a young German soldier named Hans. Through the courage to trust and the song Silent Night, friends and foes learn the true meaning of Peace on Earth, Goodwill Towards Men, and hearts are forever changed. Based on true events.
Cast:
Cheri Christian, Mac Powell, Silvio Wolf Busch
Genre:
Family, Holiday, Short Film
Rating:
No rating information available.
My Christmas Soldier
Dove "Family-Approved" - Suitable for any age.
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This is a powerful film, bringing some separate true facts together to make one single story. The film is set during World War ll, just two years into the war. Some German soldiers are shipped by train to Georgia, and at the station families are waiting for their loved ones, American soldiers, to arrive home by train. It is Christmas Eve and the German soldiers are hungry as they wait in the boxcar, and a young boy, Gordy, waiting for his father's arrival, manages to steal some sandwiches and get some hot coa coa to a couple of the soldiers. One of them, named Hans, gives the boy his cross medal as a token of thanks for his kindness. The boy gives the German soldier a toy soldier his father had given him. Hans tells him, "Sometimes even enemies can be friends, huh?" Despite the crankiness of several people who don't want the soldiers there, when the German soldiers begin singing "Silent Night," in German, the Americans reply by singing "Silent Night" in English. This miracle of a bridge of sorts between two warring nations is nicely done and touching. This story is very well written by Mauriel Joslyn, and the film coasts along quickly. The human elements are touching and the director, Owen Smith, managed to convey a lot in a short amount of time as this movie runs only 37 minutes. Every nation should see this film! It is a film of hope, and a perfect Christmas story.
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Sex: Husband and wife kiss.
Language: None
Violence: None
Drugs: None
Nudity: None
Occult: None
Other: Gordy steals sandwiches, but it is to feed hungry soldiers and then other people give the soldiers sandwiches later in the film. -
- Reviewer: Edwin L. Carpenter
- Source: Theater
- Writer: Mauriel Joslyn
- Director: Owen Smith
- Producer: Jeff Rose
- Review provided courtesy of The Dove Foundation.