The Nativity Story

2006

Action / Adventure / Drama / Family / Fantasy / History / Romance

17
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 76% · 131 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 76% · 50K ratings
IMDb Rating 6.8/10 10 12966 13K

husband wife relationship christianity archangel gabriel three kings bethlehem bible

Plot summary

Mary and Joseph make the hard journey to Bethlehem for a blessed event in this retelling of the Nativity story. This meticulously researched and visually lush adaptation of the biblical tale follows the pair on their arduous path to their arrival in a small village, where they find shelter in a quiet manger and Jesus is born.

Director

Catherine Hardwicke Photo
Catherine Hardwicke

Top cast

Hiam Abbass Photo
Hiam Abbass as Anna
Oscar Isaac Photo
Oscar Isaac as Joseph
Shohreh Aghdashloo Photo
Shohreh Aghdashloo as Elizabeth
Eriq Ebouaney Photo
Eriq Ebouaney as Balthasar
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
892.08 MB
1280*544
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 41 min
Seeds 9
1.58 GB
1920*816
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 41 min
Seeds 31

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by ma-cortes 7 / 10

Sensitive and enjoyable retelling about the story greatest ever told

This is a fine portrayal based on early existence of Mary (Keisha Castle Hughes), and Joseph (Oscar Isaac). A story well known and sacred that starts when birth of Jesus is announced to Mary by Angel Gabriel (Alexander Siddig). Meanwhile is also announced future birth of John the Baptist from the old couple Elizabeth (Shoreh) and Zechariah (Townsend). Mary learns from the angel Gabriel that she will conceive and bear a child called Jesus. When she asks how this can be, since she is a virgin, he tells her that the Holy Spirit would "come upon her" and that "nothing will be impossible with God". She responds: "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word".At the beginning Joseph is suspicious when Mary announces the blessed news but later is informed by an Angel.At the time that Mary is due to give birth, she and her husband Joseph travel from their home in Nazareth about 150 kilometres (90 miles) south to Joseph's ancestral home in Bethlehem to register in the census ordered by Herodes the Great (Ciaran Hinds). Meanwhile three Magician Kings Melchior(Nadim), Gaspar (Kalipha) and Bathasar (Eriq) are looking for Jesus, Son of God. Having found no place for themselves in the inn, Joseph and Mary meet a man who gives the couple a place in his stable. Mary gives birth to Jesus she places the newborn in a manger .Meantime an angel of the Lord visits the shepherds guarding their flocks in nearby fields and brings them "good news of great joy": "to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord." The angel tells them they will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. The angel is joined by a "heavenly host" who say "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!".The shepherds hurry to the manger in Bethlehem where they find Jesus with Mary and Joseph. They repeat what they have been told by the angel, and then return to their flocks.This agreeable film focuses the Nativity story in a realist style , but also accompanied with beautiful images, as there are shafts of lights , wonderful clouds and extraordinary landscapes. It packs marvelous cinematography by Elliot Davis who reflects splendidly the ancient scenarios filmed at Italy and Morocco. Atmospheric and emotive musical score adding oriental sounds by Mychael Danna. The motion picture was well directed Catherine Hardwicke who formerly directed 'Thirteen' and 'Lords of Dogtown' and subsequently would achieved a lot of success with 'Twilight'.
Reviewed by drtwo1 8 / 10

At last a great family movie.

As a Catholic/Christian publisher I did not expect the integrity that the movie The Nativity Story presents. The story is produced with good taste and careful thought. At times the Scripture may be bent but it is never broken. The bends are simply to aid in the visual telling of the story and are not offensive.I found it to be very good family viewing with minimal violence and the scenes were not graphic in nature. The lesson in family love alone is worth the price of a ticket. The bonus is the lesson in faith and trust in God. I would encourage you to take children of all ages.The theology should be acceptable to all Christians. However, I did talk to one priest that had a problem with the childbirth scene. He subscribes to the theology that Mary's childbirth was not painful. I understand his theology but I disagree with it on the grounds of Jesus and Mary's humanity. Also the arrival of the Wise Men at the time of the birth though not correct does not hurt the story. Still I feel that these small problems would be a poor and unjust reason not to see, or tell others not to see this movie.Of all the versions of this story that have been done I found it to be the most inspiring and visually the most tastefully done. At last we have a great family movie that puts Christ back into Christmas.Executive Director Contemplation Corner Press
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