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The Christmas Tree

Original title: L'arbre de Noël
  • 1969
  • G
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
847
YOUR RATING
William Holden, Brook Fuller, and Virna Lisi in The Christmas Tree (1969)
Drama

Pascal spends holidays with his father Laurent. During a trip, a plane carrying a nuclear weapon crashes nearby, exposing Pascal to radiation. Despite his imminent death, Laurent aims to pro... Read allPascal spends holidays with his father Laurent. During a trip, a plane carrying a nuclear weapon crashes nearby, exposing Pascal to radiation. Despite his imminent death, Laurent aims to provide an unforgettable experience for his son.Pascal spends holidays with his father Laurent. During a trip, a plane carrying a nuclear weapon crashes nearby, exposing Pascal to radiation. Despite his imminent death, Laurent aims to provide an unforgettable experience for his son.

  • Director
    • Terence Young
  • Writers
    • Michel Bataille
    • Terence Young
  • Stars
    • William Holden
    • Virna Lisi
    • Bourvil
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    847
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Terence Young
    • Writers
      • Michel Bataille
      • Terence Young
    • Stars
      • William Holden
      • Virna Lisi
      • Bourvil
    • 19User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos29

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    Top cast19

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    William Holden
    William Holden
    • Laurent Ségur
    Virna Lisi
    Virna Lisi
    • Catherine Graziani
    Bourvil
    Bourvil
    • Verdun
    Madeleine Damien
    Madeleine Damien
    • Marinette
    Mario Feliciani
    Mario Feliciani
    • Le docteur
    Friedrich von Ledebur
    Friedrich von Ledebur
    • Vernet
    • (as Friedrich Ledebur)
    Georges Douking
    Georges Douking
    • L'animalier
    • (as Douking)
    Michel Thomass
    • L'ami corse
    Jean-Pierre Castaldi
    Jean-Pierre Castaldi
    • Le motard de la gendarmerie
    Yves Barsacq
    Yves Barsacq
    • Charlie le breton - le pompiste
    France Daunic
    • La monitrice
    Brook Fuller
    • Pascal Ségur
    Paul Bonifas
    Paul Bonifas
      Adrien Cayla-Legrand
      • Stationmaster on the platform
      • (uncredited)
      Lucie Dolène
      • Pascal Ségur
      • (voice)
      • (uncredited)
      Roland Malet
      • Policeman
      • (uncredited)
      Gaston Meunier
      • Customer at Maxim's
      • (uncredited)
      • …
      Raymond Pierson
      • Customer at Maxim's
      • (uncredited)
      • Director
        • Terence Young
      • Writers
        • Michel Bataille
        • Terence Young
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

      User reviews19

      6.3847
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      Featured reviews

      createdn65

      I love this movie.

      I remember seeing this movie when I was a kid. We watched it every year. It has been about 10 years since I have seen it, if not longer. I always check the listings this time of year but never seem to see that it is on. This has got to be one of the best holiday movies I have ever seen. My kids have never seen this movie and I am sure they would just love it as much as I did when I was their age. A definite thumbs up for me!
      nono-5

      a real emotional show

      I have always seen that movie at each Christmas since I am 7. Few people know it but it is really worth to watch. That is according to me one of these little unknown treasures in the world movie collection.
      7wolfcariusm

      A movie just as it's described

      There is nothing bad about this movie, it is typical of the time it was made. I cannot imagine anyone who knows the plot and then decided to watch could expect or want anything else than that which was shown. Obviously some critics have issues. I wonder if they saw it v.o. or dubbed into English. All film d'époque are OTT and nothing is so subtle that any child could not understand it. This is not an intellectual adult movie, anyone who cannot see why actors did the movie should at least have the courage to ask before accusing them. There are also more messages (social and political criticism) than meet the eye and in this respect it is certainly more daring than the less subtle similar criticism Spielberg tried to shove into War of the Worlds which obliviously passed a hundred miles above the heads of the people it was directed at.
      Heimdallav

      Still up to date ,to see even if you don't like to cry .

      I red the book when I was 11 and wanted to see the film . I liked it the same . Now I am 35 and I still like to see it sometimes . It's a good analysis of the characters . What would you do if a person you love very much have to die en six month . Bourvil is my favourite actor and it is one of his best role .
      sims2j

      Tearjerker, unique story, definitely want to see it again

      I was a kid when I first saw this movie, and I cried. I was not a movie critic then (I'm still not), but I know that this movie really tugged at my heartstrings. I haven't seen the movie since, but I would like to. It was so interesting to me at the time, the unique way the father dealt with the impending death of his young son.

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      Related interests

      Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
      Drama

      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Maria Schneider's debut.
      • Quotes

        Marinette: [as Pascal leaves with a large bowl of meat to feed the wolves] Shall I go with you?

        Pascal Ségur: Marinette, women and wolves don't mix.

      • Alternate versions
        Two versions of the film were made and released: (1) The far more accessible continental European cut, "L'abre de Noël", where William Holden's English dialogue was dubbed over, and all the European actors spoke in native tongues; (2) and an alternate international English language cut, "The Christmas Tree", where a majority of the cast spoke phonetic English before being dubbed over by voice actors.
      • Connections
        Referenced in The Dick Cavett Show: Eartha Kitt/Rex Stout/William Holden (1969)

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      FAQ15

      • How long is The Christmas Tree?Powered by Alexa

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • September 25, 1969 (United States)
      • Countries of origin
        • France
        • Italy
      • Languages
        • French
        • English
      • Also known as
        • When Wolves Cry
      • Filming locations
        • Station-Service Le Relais du Cheval Noir, Route Nationale 16, Epinay-Champlâtreux, Val-d'Oise, France(Ségur, his son and Verdun fill up their car with gas)
      • Production companies
        • Les Films Corona
        • Jupiter Generale Cinematografica
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

      Edit
      • Gross US & Canada
        • $1,303,251
      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Tech specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        • 1h 50m(110 min)
      • Sound mix
        • Mono
      • Aspect ratio
        • 1.78 : 1

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