The Christmas ad launched by a European convenience store has gotten the world talking.
Using the historic event known as the Christmas Truce of 1914, Sainsbury’s illustrated the goodwill of men that brought enemies together in its three and a half minute ad.
100 years ago on Christmas Eve 1914, several German and British troops that were hunkered down in trenches during WWI began singing to each other across the lines, according to the History Channel.
On Christmas Day, some of the German soldiers came out of their trenches, unarmed, to wish their enemies a “Merry Christmas.” According to the account, the soldiers shook hands with one another, exchanged gifts of cigarettes and foods, and sang carols.
Historic accounts indicate the men even played a game of soccer.
Since its debut on YouTube Wednesday, November 12, it has had more than 7 million views. The comments are split: some viewers say they loved and others think it was exploitative.
A report by Daily Mail out of the UK said hundreds of viewers reacted negatively to the ad, submitting complaints and saying it was distasteful to use the conflict of WWI to promote a business.
Trending on Twitter is #ChristmasIsForSharing, where some users tweeted praises to the advertisement and others said it was wrong.
