MOVIE
REVIEW
B
Title:
SILENT NIGHT
Rating:
Starring:
Carsten Clemens, Markus
Von Lingen, Clemens AAP
Lindenberg, Janina Elkin,
Florence Matousek, Henry
Vuissa
Written by:
Christian Vuissa
Directed by:
Christian Vuissa
Genre:
Drama, Christmas, True
Story
Running Time:
95 minutes
MPAA Rating:
Not Rated
Production Company:
Mirror Films
Released by:
Bridgestone Multimedia
Group
Reviewed by:
Christian St John
16 > CHRISTIAN REVIEW
ased on a true story, Silent Night
is set in the early 1800’s and tells
the story of Joseph Mohr
(Carsten Clemens), the new assistant priest
in the town of Oberndorf, Austria. His
desire is to reach out to the poor and
needy, and he believes he can do this, in
part, by holding mass and singing songs in
his native language, German. However, his
superior, Father Noestler (Clemens Aap
Lindenberg), is set in his ways and values
tradition over mission. And so Father
Noestler vetoes Joseph at every turn,
ordering him to conduct church services in
Latin, not German.
What follows is a battle of wills, as Joseph
and Father Noestler try to work things out,
and a test of faith, as Joseph tries to
navigate a course to serve both God and
the people.
Silent Night is a remarkable and beautiful
piece of film art. It is a Christmas movie,
but not one of those tried and tested,
lackluster, hum drum affairs we see on TV
every holiday season. No, this is the real
McCoy, a Christmas movie that is both
filled with charm and substance.
The cast is primarily made up of European
actors, so there aren’t too many familiar
faces to be seen. However, the acting in
Silent Night is excellent by all involved.
Carsten Clemens turns in a brilliant
performance as the movie’s underdog
hero-of-the-people, Joseph.
The production quality of the movie is also
excellent with a special shout out given to
the cinematography, which is simply
breathtaking. In fact, there are many
moments in Silent Night which look like a
postcard or painting captured on film - the
DVD transfer looked clear and sharp on my
big