The Christmas advert for the British grocery Sainsbury's from 2014. I wonder if my fellow Americans have ever seen any of the TV ads from England. Now you have! Hope you will like this as much as I do. It was made in cooperation with the Royal British Legion and was based on an actual event during World War I. If you have time, there is an another video about the making of this "1914" ad and the Christmas truce.
It would take a lot for me to give up my English chocolate! (Watch the video and you will know what I am talking about!)
"Leaning On The Everlasting Arms, that is the last song playing at the end of the video, I have written about this song before... it is a song that I really like.
Of course, you know the song that the soldiers are singing, "Silent Night" and it is "Stille Nacht" in German. (Original song was in German, as you know.) As songs go, not just hymns, but of all songs, it is one of my favorites.
Hope you are all doing well these days, my friends!
Or are just doggone tired like me?
Take care!
Of course, you know the song that the soldiers are singing, "Silent Night" and it is "Stille Nacht" in German. (Original song was in German, as you know.) As songs go, not just hymns, but of all songs, it is one of my favorites.
Hope you are all doing well these days, my friends!
Or are just doggone tired like me?
Take care!
Such a touching video..you can really feel the special spirit with it and how it truly is what Christmas should be all about..loving and sharing. Hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteThere was much more attention paid to the remembrances of World War I in Great Britain, not so much here.
DeleteHope you are doing well and getting ready for your Christmas!
I remember the advert but had not seen the "Making Of" yet. I love making ofs!
ReplyDeleteYes, we love our English chocolate, don't we, Kay!
Work is busy these days, more than it was for the past few years when I got used to having all my Christmas "jobs" done long before now. This year, I really have to use any little time slot I find to get things done such as writing cards and packing parcels for the family in Yorkshire. It is not stressful, but I am really tired when evening comes round and can hardly keep my eyes open even for a favourite TV show or film!
Yes, we know how good the English chocolate is, don't we?
DeleteI keep hoping my job will be less stressful...all the more reason I have to try to escape to nature as much as I can.
Like you, I can hardly keep my eyes open when I am able to sit down!
A very moving tribute to the actual event. It's sad we can't have peace all of the time.
ReplyDeleteI thought they did a great job with it, such thoughtful detail.
DeleteYes Christmas is for sharing ! Is that your cute little dog in the chai? I don't remember seeing a picture before. It would be wonderful of we could all enjoy peace on earth !
ReplyDeleteThe dog is in England, he is PeTe, pronounced "Petey".
DeleteHe belongs to my inlaws. This is confusing since my father in law is named Peter! (THe dog was named this before they got him.) I was thinking of how tired I was and when I ran across this photo, I had to use it.
Peace on earth, and good will toward men.
I always look forward to the English Christmas Ad videos. This one definitely brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI had to share it here!
DeleteI've seen this commercial before but no matter how many times I watch it, it gives me goosebumps. And squeezes my heart. At the end of the day we're all on the same side: humanity.
ReplyDeleteAll on the same side, the world needs to be reminded of it.
DeleteYes, a very famous incident that really shows the stupidity and waste of war.
ReplyDeleteAnd the thought that a grocery would use it in an advert and consult with the Royal British Legion before doing so, it seemed most unusual to me.
DeleteWinter and cold weather bring peace and a bit of laziness for me. I am going to wallow in it a bit and then push myself back to normal life.
ReplyDeleteChance would be a fine thing! :-)
DeleteEnjoy wallowing for me, would you?
I’ve heard about something like this actually happening and saw this commercial before. I love seeing it every time. It never gets old. So, so beautiful. I wish they could have just parted and not stayed to fight though.
ReplyDeleteThere are some war movies that I have watched recently, and I think that one of them might have influenced a writer who came up with a hit TV series. Now you will have to read my future post to know what I am talking about! :-)
DeleteImpossible to watch this without tears. Very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI might have had this on a blog post before, I can't remember. I find it very moving also. x
DeleteThank you for sharing this, Kay. Have you read the book "Silent Night: the Story of the Christmas Truce of World War I"? So sad to think of the real goodwill that occurred there and was cut short.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read that particular book but I have known of this story for years. The first time I read about it, I researched it further because I found it so hard to believe.
DeleteOf course, it IS a true story and one that I wish everyone knew!
Nice advert. Reputedly, during the Second World War the Americans always had more chocolate, better rations and even quality silk stockings- far more than the British guys could ever get hold of... but to give them everlasting credit they did share them out, and not just at Christmas... with our womenfolk. The buggers :o)
ReplyDeleteHa, ha! Yes, I am very familiar with the phrase, "Overpaid, oversexed and OVER HERE"! My Uncle George spent two years in England as an MP. When I asked him if any of his men got into any trouble, he said, "NO!, not MY boys!". Also, I asked him if he felt any resentment from the local Brits. You know what he said? "Absolutely not, you have no idea how grateful they were for us being there."
DeleteI cherish those conversations with him, he was ten years older than my Dad and he died many years ago.
My Dad was drafted just at the end of the war and was sent to Berlin. He saw great suffering there. And he also gave away his chocolate to the Germans. When I teased him and said, "Oh Daddy, everyone always talks about the American servicemen giving away their chocolate rations, did they really do that". He grew serious and said that he didn't know a single man who did not.