It’s called God Rest Ye Merry, Soldiers
It is a War Drama
In the vein of Joyeux Noel
It is like Gone With the Wind meets All Quiet on the Western Front
It follows the common Billy Yanks of The Army of the Cumberland
And the common Johnny Rebs of the Army of the Tennessee
As they battle the elements, their officers, and each other to survive a meatgrinder of a war.
Problems arise when they are thrown against each other at one of the bloodiest battles of the conflict.
Together, their shared humanity, mutual respect and the Spirit of Christmas will help them rise above the brutality of war and show each other grace and kindness.
The idea came to me when I was reading God Rest Ye Merry, Soldiers and was astonished at how mortal enemies showed each other more respect than people removed 150 years from the events do, and how the message of peace and forgiveness as shown by the soldiers Blue and Gray is one our nation desperately needs to hear right now.
My unique approach is a war movie set at Christmastime but takes place after Christmas Day during the 12 Days of Christmastide and in which the changing cultural meaning of Christmas is a major element in the story’s healing climax.
A set piece would be the night before the battle when the regiments of the Confederate and Union armies are lined up and facing each other. The musical bands of each regiment try to outplay the other with different songs. The Northern bands play “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and their version of “The Battle Cry of Freedom.” The Southern ones play “Dixie” and their own version of “The Battle Cry of Freedom.” Then a band starts playing “Home, Sweet Home.” Every band takes up the tune. Then every tongue, Blue and Gray, takes up the chorus. Soon the entire battle lines of both armies are singing the song in unison. When it ends not an eye is dry.
