The following advertisement for Sainsbury’s supermarket is more like a short film. The advertisement shows how the soldiers stopped fighting on Christmas Day 1914, during the First World War. Along the front line, many soldiers from both sides
1. Name the two soldiers who shake hands. 2. The soldiers sing a song at the beginning of the advertisement. What is the song called? 3. What gifts do the soldiers exchange? 4. What game do the soldiers play? 5. What features of advertising are used in this television advertisement?
Explore
1. What is the main message in this advertisement, in your opinion? 2. How did you feel while watching this advertisement? 3. How is this advertisement different to other television ads?
Investigate
Watch the story behind the advertisement, then work with a partner to discuss the following:
1. ‘Even at the toughest of times, in the heat of war and at the most dreadful occasions there can be great humanity’. Do you agree that there can be great humanity in the darkest of times? Share some examples.
2. Discuss the benefits of: (a) charity
(b) support (c) human contact. 3. Share your ideas on what else people need in times of darkness, destruction or war. Create
1. (a) Work in small groups to write the news segment reporting on the Christmas truce that took place between soldiers in 1914. The news should be current, so write as though you are informing the public about this event for the first time.
(b) When you have written your news segment, one person should assume the role of newsreader. This person should read the news report that you have written. You could use a visual recording tool such as iMovie to record your news report for television or an audio recording tool such as AudioBoom to record your news report for radio.
