The First Silent Night (2014)

Journey along with celebrated actor Simon Callow as he traces the touching centuries-old genesis of the globally cherished carol, Silent Night. Set against the backdrop of modest beginnings, this narrative culminates in the creation of the world's most beloved Christmas song. Callow traverses through the quaint Austrian village of Oberndorf and the vibrant city of Salzburg, unearthing the origins of this timeless carol. The First Silent Night recounts the tale of two underprivileged children, Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber, who were moulded by the cobblestone alleys and forested hamlets of Austria. The hardships that forged their lives would inevitably lead them to cross paths in a humble rural church, merging Gruber's melodious tunes and Mohr's poetic words into a classic carol. This carol, a serene narrative of a third poor boy's birth in Bethlehem, would resonate as a beacon of hope for their homeland, in the aftermath of the ravaging Napoleonic wars that had left their settlements in ruins. The echoing gunfire would finally cease, giving way to the soothing harmony of music, epitomizing the first Silent Night.

The First Silent Night is a documentary movie.

The First Silent Night is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy The First Silent Night on Amazon Video.