|
You are here:
German Lessons > German Culture > Christmas DVDs > Part 2
Many Christmas customs come from Austria and Germany. The DVDs and videos in this GUIDE will show your students not only how das Weihnachtsfest and the Advent season are celebrated in German-speaking Europe, but also how many of those customs — from the Christmas tree to “Silent Night” — have been adopted in North America and all around the world. Unless noted otherwise, all the DVDs/videos listed here are in English (or have English subtitles) and are playable on normal NTSC Region 1 devices (USA and Canada). Also see German feature films for Christmas (below).
Also see: German Christmas Carols (Lyrics in German and English)
Christmas Unwrapped - The History of Christmas
This A&E/History Channel DVD presents the history of the holiday. Learn the origins of some of the Western World's most enduring traditions. Trace the emergence of Christmas from pagan festivals like the Roman Saturnalia, which celebrated the winter solstice. Discover how the German Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree to the English speaking world in 1841.
Buy this DVD from Amazon.com
Biography - Santa Claus (History Channel)
Tracing the 1700-year-old evolution from real-life Turkish bishop to the rotund and jolly pitchman of today, this 45-minute A&E/History Channel DVD presents the history of the “jolly old elf.” A jolly journey through time to reveal his roots—from the Roman Befana to the Germanic Berchta and Knecht Ruprecht, from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus. Jack Perkins narrates, providing much historic detail.
Buy this DVD from Amazon.com
The Christmas Truce (History Channel)
WWI began in August 1914, and by December all thoughts of quick victory had faded. Fighting was most fierce in a thin strip of land called the Western Front. A system of trenches separated Allies from Germans, with the area in between known as No Man's Land. On Christmas Eve, an astonishing event began—up and down the Western Front, Allied and German soldiers met peacefully in No Man's Land.
Buy this DVD from Amazon.com
A Gala Christmas in Vienna (1998)
This DVD of a Christmas concert performance at Vienna’s city hall features Plácido Domingo, Sarah Brightman, Helmut Lotti and Richard Cocciante (backed by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra) singing "Fröhliche Weihnacht," "Stille Nacht" ("Silent Night"), and other titles in German, English and several other languages. Also available on audio CD.
Buy this DVD from Amazon.com
Buy the CD from Amazon.com
MORE > Christmas Carol Lyrics in German and English
Rick Steves’s European Christmas (2006)
In his usual informative travelogue style, Steves visits European sites at Christmastime, including Nürnberg, Germany, Tirol and Salzburg in Austria, and Gimmelwald in the Swiss Alps. From Rick Steves: “Nürnberg's famous Christmas market thrives with lovingly whittleded and tasty baked traditions. We follow the city's unique Christmas angel, the Christkindl. - In a village church in Tirol, we sing 'Silent Night' as it was first sung 200 years ago. - In Salzburg, the gunners shoot away the bad spirits, the town is dressed up like an antique greeting card, and the sound of music is pure Christmas." In Switzerland, Rick's family joins him in a tiny traffic-free village high in the Alps for a traditional Swiss Christmas. After finding just the right tree and warming up with fondue, the gang sleds by torchlight back into the village. Rick's son Andy plays Samichlaus—the local Santa Claus—bringing his bulging bag of goodies into the homes of delighted village children. then the Steve family joins their friends for a festive Swiss Christmas Eve: real candles flicker on the tree, the family gathers around the piano, Grandpa reads from the ancient family Bible, and all sit down to a great feast. - Other countries visited: Italy, England, France, Norway
Buy this DVD from Amazon.com
Also see the Rick Steves streaming video in Part 2.
Europe to the Max:
Hidden Treasures - Alpine Secrets with Rudy Maxa (2006)
This DVD includes a 30-minute segment about "Christmas in Switzerland." From the Maxa site: "Hot-spiced cider and strains of 'O Tannenbaum' warm our hearts as we head to Europe for Christmas. Switzerland has a special glow this time of year and we find plenty of good cheer in the bright Christmas markets and toasty ski lodges. We begin in the magical atmosphere of Zurich, with its glittering trees and festive music. Then we veer off the beaten path to the medieval town of Bremgarten for a visit with St. Nicholas. Finally, we discover a winter paradise in glamorous St. Moritz, the famous ski resort with the 'dry, sparkling champagne climate.' Tips on Christmas ornaments and winter sports."
Learn more / buy Switzerland & the Alps, Christmas in Switz. from www.smarttravelstore.tv
More DVDs about Austria, Germany, Switzerland from www.smarttravelstore.tv
MORE CHRISTMAS DVDs on the next page.
Merry Christmas (F/D/UK 2005, Joyeux Noël)
DVD: Region 1, US NTSC with subtitles.
Director: Christian Carion. This French/German/UK co-production, featuring well-known German actors Benno Fürmann, and Daniel Brühl (as Lt. Horstmayer), and the German-American Diane Kruger ("Krüger" as a Danish soprano), was released in French and German cinemas (as Merry Christmas!) in November 2005 after being featured at the Cannes and Berlin film festivals. Based on the true story of the World War I Christmas Eve truce in 1914, the film tells how "the Germans, French, and Scottish try to make peace, so they bury their dead and play football." A French director, a Belgian cameraman (Walther van den Ende), and acting talent from Scotland, France, and Germany have come together to make a truly European film in French, German, English, and Latin. It was the French nominee for Best Foreign Language Film for both the Academy Award and Golden Globe (2006). The U.S. DVD is entitled Joyeux Noël.
Buy this DVD from Amazon.com
WEB > Merry Christmas - Der Film (German site)
WEB > Joyeux Noël - IMDb
NEXT > More German Christmas DVDs (Part 2)
Also see: German Christmas Carols (Lyrics in German and English)
MORE > German Christmas Customs from The German Way
Copyright © 2008-2009 Hyde Flippo
|
