Christmas At War

In the jungles of Vietnam, soldiers decorated palm trees and gave makeshift gifts to comrades. In the bitter chill of Valley Forge, Washington's men wrote longing letters home to family and loved ones who prayed for their safe return. In the blistering sands of Desert Storm, USO Santas cheered the homesick troops. CHRISTMAS AT WAR is a fascinating look at the way fighting men have dealt with the season of peace throughout history. Heartwarming and heartbreaking, it is a testament to the strength and flexibility of the human spirit. Hear the words of Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers in letters to home. See rare footage of Christmas celebrations in World War II, from Europe's frozen battlefields to South Pacific islands. Discover incredible tales of unspoken cease-fires, when enemy troops have discarded their uniforms and hostilities for one night. It's an intimate, moving look at the way fighting men reconcile the reality of war with the celebration of peace, an unforgettable portrait of humanity at its most human.

• documentary