War Games - Adam Benish | Runtime: 17 Mins | Genre: Drama/Comedy/Musical
Synopsis: About the 1914 soccer game when the English played the Germans in No Mans Land on Christmas Day. Only in this fable the game was brokered by Santa Claus and The Krampus. Both men later find you cannot bring Christmas magic to a war zone.
When it comes to Christmas tales, you expect the usual: snow-dappled villages, twinkling lights, and feel-good resolutions. What you don’t expect is Santa Claus and Krampus on trial for orchestrating a wartime soccer match in the middle of No Man’s Land. And yet, Adam Benish’s "War Games: A Christmas Truce" delivers just that—a bold, hilarious, and oddly heartwarming fusion of drama, comedy, and musical whimsy, packed into a tight 17-minute runtime.
The film retells the famous 1914 Christmas Truce with a fantastical twist: instead of human goodwill sparking the temporary ceasefire, it’s Santa Claus and his chaotic counterpart Krampus who bring the rival sides together for a kickabout. But this isn’t just a heartwarming holiday tale; War Games has bite. By the time the duo is hauled before a tribunal led by a Scrooge descendant, the story has become a sharp commentary on the futility of war, with satire sharper than Krampus’s horns.
Benish’s Santa is every bit the jolly, twinkly-eyed figure we love—until he isn’t. His growing frustration with the soldiers’ reluctance to embrace peace adds surprising depth to his character. Meanwhile, Nicholas steals the show as Krampus, whose gleeful cynicism is a perfect foil to Santa’s earnestness. Together, they create a dynamic so absurd it’s almost believable: two mythical figures clashing with the grim realities of human conflict.
One moment, soldiers are laughing and swapping gifts; the next, we’re reminded of the ever-looming shadow of war. And then, just as you’re settling into the poignancy, a jaunty musical number erupts. The songs—think Christmas carols with a satirical edge—are as memorable as they are unexpected, blending humor with biting commentary on war and commercialized holiday cheer.
Yet, beneath its playful surface, "War Games" has a beating heart. It reminds us of the fleeting humanity displayed in the real-life Christmas Truce and how even the most magical intentions can falter in the face of human folly. By the time Santa and Krampus face their tribunal, you’re not just laughing—you’re thinking.
Benish has managed to craft a holiday short that is equal parts laugh-out-loud funny, thought-provoking, and oddly touching. With its offbeat humor, layered performances, and unexpected dose of Christmas spirit, "War Games: A Christmas Truce" isn’t just a festive treat—it’s a reminder that even the most improbable stories can carry the weight of hope.
So grab some hot chockie, and give this wild, wonderful little gem a watch. It’s the Christmas truce you never knew you needed.
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