The story is fairly straightforward - two soldiers on opposite sides play chess by sending messages via a pigeon over the battle lines.
When the conflict ignites the two enemy soldiers realize they are face to face with their playing partner and the pigeon is flying into danger they try to stop the fighting - which is aided by the discovery of a note that says the war is over.
In many cases war is futile but sometimes it is necessary to combat various wrongs and perhaps it could be interpreted that way.
The animation is fine, the song (Happy Xmas - War is Over) is good - but for me the film is just revisiting an obvious message - maybe its not an obvious message to everyone - so perhaps it bears repeating.
It appears this film is meant to represent the First World War but the depictions seem more stylized than historical to my eye.
My third favorite of the nominees in 2024.
When the conflict ignites the two enemy soldiers realize they are face to face with their playing partner and the pigeon is flying into danger they try to stop the fighting - which is aided by the discovery of a note that says the war is over.
In many cases war is futile but sometimes it is necessary to combat various wrongs and perhaps it could be interpreted that way.
The animation is fine, the song (Happy Xmas - War is Over) is good - but for me the film is just revisiting an obvious message - maybe its not an obvious message to everyone - so perhaps it bears repeating.
It appears this film is meant to represent the First World War but the depictions seem more stylized than historical to my eye.
My third favorite of the nominees in 2024.