SnoopyStyle
King Herod rules Judea for the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus. He is haunted by prophecy and orders the slaughter of newborn sons in Bethelehem. It's one year earlier Nazareth. Mary (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is betrothed to Joseph (Oscar Isaac) in a world of cruel Roman taxation. She is visited by the Angel Gabriel. Her elder cousin Elizabeth and her priest husband Zachariah would give birth to John the Baptist. Meanwhile, three wise men follow astronomical signs to Judea.This is a functional solid telling of the familiar story. It doesn't add anything unique. Mary is a scared little girl. It's not earth-shattering or memorable. The three wise men get some screen time. It's all good for the kids in Sunday school.
Python Hyena
The Nativity Story (2006): Dir: Catherine Hardwicke / Cast: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar Isaac, Alexander Siddig, Shawn Toub, Ciaran Hinds: As with The Passion of the Christ, here is another Biblical account recalling the leading up to the birth of Christ through the virgin Mary and the long journey to Bethlehem where the savior is born. Three wise men follow the bright star with hope in mind but King Herod grows nervous and orders the slaughter of male children. Director Catherine Hardwicke gives great insight into the lives of Joseph and Mary and the task before them. Mary is played wonderfully by Keisha Castle-Hughes of Whale Rider, and she portrays her as loyal to God and humble to others. Oscar Isaac plays Joseph who is disappointed upon learning of Mary's pregnancy until he is addressed by one of God's angels where he learns of God's will and the importance of this child. Alexander Siddig is featured as the angel Gabriel. Ciaran Hinds plays King Herod. Finally we have Shawn Toub who is also featured along with spectacular art direction that makes this among the best of Biblical epics. This film unfortunately did not gain the same blockbuster success that The Passion of the Christ pulled off but it is equally just as well crafted and should appeal to those familiar with the account. Theme regards the hardship surrounding the events of the birth of Christ. Score: 10 / 10
Leofwine_draca
Having recently seen and watched the BBC 2010 adaptation of THE NATIVITY, I was eager to find out how this Hollywood production value compared. It turns out to be even better, thanks to exceptional production values and a real resonance in terms of storytelling that brings both the era and the characters to life.The filmmakers don't go so far as to have the characters speaking in their original languages like Mel Gibson did for PASSION OF THE Christ, but everything else looks and feels great, particularly Oscar Isaac's and Keisha Castle-Hughes's very human Joseph and Mary. The backdrops and scenery are both lavish, with delicately-balanced humour and support from acting heavyweights like Ciaran Hinds.Altogether it's a touching, moving viewing experience and one that should appeal to Christian viewers everywhere, refreshingly free of the interplanetary nonsense that marred the BBC version (where I kept expecting Professor Brian Cox to pop up and explain the science behind the alignments of the planets or some such).
jannisreed
I thought this was a wonderful film, being a different angle on the birth of Jesus. There were some inaccuracies, but they were very minor in light of what the film accomplished in portraying the faith and obedience to God that Mary and Joseph needed and had at that time, which I believe, are so important to this story. I truly enjoy it when writers strive to be Biblically accurate. I understand that the movie contains words and scenes which are not portrayed in the Scriptures, but are added to flesh out the facts given in the Bible, and seem very, very realistic to those times and situations. The film explored the thoughts which very well could have gone through the minds of Mary and Joseph, and I thought were done excellently. I know that the Spirit of God is calming and had to be all around Mary at that time, so I appreciate her quiet reflecting, as the Scriptures said that she kept many things in her heart in her life. Joseph's reactions were very well done, and certainly gave more dimension to what I had thought of before. I loved the scene where the angel spoke to the shepherds, and wished to see the Heavenly choir singing, and there were other things that could have been elaborated on more. But a film can only have so much, and I am content with this. I appreciate that Herod's character was not overly-dwelled on, but included as needed. I would like to see more from these writers and directors in this same vein.
AD
