The Nativity Story
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Movie Reviews of The Nativity Story
Movie Review: It's hard to find something not to like.
Summary: 5 Stars
It's hard to find something wrong with this movie. Mary is done by Keisha Castle-Hughes, one of the best young actresses I've seen, from the phenomenal Whale Rider. The original writing is top-notch. The directing isn't that bad either. They have really brought to life what is what like in 1st century Palestine, from the ululating zigharat at the birth of John to the cry for release from oppression of Roman taxes. This isn't Hollywood beautiful people or even white Britains in the middle of ancient Israel- these are average looking people, and very Semitic to boot. I'd imagine actually that much of the American audience would see the classic terrorist stereotype in Joseph's face. And there's even some extra action and humor thrown in.
But even more than the accurate culture description was really laying out what it was like for a teenager in this situation. This was a marriage true to the culture, not aligned for the comfort of Westerners in "falling in love", but the typical one of the Middle East, then and now, arranged, and difficult to accept for Mary. The movie also showed what it was like for her to be suddenly told that she was giving birth. Who's going to believe this? An angel told me? Please! She faced ostracism at the least; death was more likely. She was an unwed mother at a time when it was decidedly not popular. Although I am familiar with the story, for the first time I really saw the bravery in Mary, and what she faced, following a vision that no one else had initially seen.
But best of all, I hadn't realized that the movie was also filmed in Morocco. I recognized Ait Benhaddou, near Oarzazet. They actually repeatedly return to this same small village, although it becomes a number of different places through the magic of Hollywood. I'm fairly sure they also visited Toubkal as well, the highest mountain in Morocco. And I think I saw the only level stretch along that long hike up the mountain, only this time a donkey journey up from Jerusalem.
It is true, some elements were not quite kosher. The ending was a bit rushed. And they left out the little bit of the Christmas Story that no one likes to talk about- for it makes Matthew and Luke difficult to harmonize. Namely the christening of Christ in Jerusalem. Honestly though, there was a reason a woman didn't reach the state of purity for seven days after birth. You ever ridden a donkey? They're better than camels, I admit. But not much. There's none of the easy canter of a horse. Now imagine that you are a woman who's just given birth. No way Mary is getting up the next day for a journey to Egypt.
It's a special kind of movie that can show real life, real people, and at the same time tie me deeper into the numinous spiritual reality behind the story. Watching this, I understood better the glory of Christ, the shock and awe of His coming, and what it means to follow in His path, despised and rejected among men.
Movie Review: Prayerful meditation on the season of Christmas
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're looking for a gradiose production in Cecil B. DeMille style, this film is not the one for you. But, if you want a sense of the mystery and beauty... the true meaning of Christmas, you will find this film everything your heart could desire. Throughout, the writers and director did everything possible to be in conformity with the history and theology of the birth of Christ, so that no mainstream Christian will find anything contrary to the scriptural account. While there are moments (like the slaughter of the infants and the birth of John the Baptist) which may not be suitable to little children, I highly recommend this film for family viewing. With a little sensitive explanation, most kids 12 and up should have no difficulties.
As for the performances, they are excellent (with, perhaps, the single exception of the Archangel Gabriel, whom I found a bit distracting)! Throughout, you get the sense of really getting to know the principle characters of the nativity narratives... what they might have been thinking, how they may have felt. The film provides unique perspectives that most never take the time to think through, and those perspectives bring the story to life. Again, if you have problems with films that are not packed with motion and non-stop action, you probably won't make it through this one. If you enjoy deep thought and prayer, on the other hand, this film will more than satisfy. I love it and I'm buying multiple copies for all of my friends that missed it in the theaters.
Note: After reading a few other comments from others, I wanted to add a brief post-script regarding the scriptural accuracy of the film. There are a few trivial differences from scripture such as the Magi coming to the manger on the night of the birth and not arriving at "the house" some time later. But, let's be reasonable. You DO have to allow for the time constraints of the movie and permit a couple times where the story is "condensed" (such as in this moment) in order to keep the story line moving. However, you will find that, where these liberties are taken, it has no impact on the story and the message of the bible. I know my scriptures well and I had no problems with this movie. I would hope that this movie would become a tradition for every Christian household during the Christmas season so that Christmas would once again become that season of grace... of quiet and humility... of hiddenness and charity... just as it was meant to be (instead of plastic trees, loud noise, pushing and shoving at the malls, runaway commercialism, etc.) Perhaps, if this movie hasn't made the kind of money that sick comedies or blood-and-gore action movies usually draw, it's a good sign. Maybe it will tell us that this movie brings to us precisely the kind of counter-cultural message that the world needs to hear... a message "rejected" that is the very cornerstone of Christian belief.
Movie Review: Give yourself the gift of a meaningful Christmas
Summary: 5 Stars
I went to see this last night, opening night. As a recently baptized Christian, I will tell you that this was a most welcomed, meaningful and revolutionary movie for me. It centers around the mother of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
A superbly crafted and thoughtfully directed movie, it deserves a high rating. It is an unprecedented tribute to a woman who has been relegated to backdrop scenes. Finally, Mary gets to have a movie about her spiritual journey. In my own life, Mary was in the far distant background, giving her fleeting thought if I came across a Nativity scene at Christmas or if I heard the Beatles song, "Let It Be":
"When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be."
It was made for a certain niche -- the ~200 million or so Americans who consider themselves Christians. Two years ago, I was not in this niche, being "spiritual, but not religious." Long story, short, it was Mary who pointed me to her Son, lead me on my own spiritual journey and caused a revolution in my heart, mind and soul.
Those who take the time to learn about her and her role do not, as I was mislead to believe, worship her. They simply respect and venerate her. Leading folks to her Son, as I learned, is her job. In this movie, her character is doing exactly that again for me and viewers who are called to see it.
Ever since she lead me home, Christmas has taken on such meaning as I never imagined. This year, I've started the season -- called the Advent season -- with a faith-based movie that allowed me to slide right into it in a beautiful, gentle and do I dare say, beatific way.
This movie experience is an exquisite gift for the heart and soul. Moreover, it is a feast for the eyes. I went past the inanimate objects of Nativity displays to a visually rich and "fleshed" out Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, shepherds, Magi and stable animals. The director of the movie, Catherine Hardwick, referred to a line in the script: "...the greatest of kings born in the most humble of places."
"Power," she says, "is not a physical power. It's not riches, it's not money, it's not control of governments and nations. It's a deeper power, spirituality."
At the end of the movie, the audience burst out in spontaneous applause. For each of us, Christmas is not at all about holiday parties, frenzied shopping and the trappings and physical accouterments. Now, THAT'S revolutionary.
When this comes out in DVD, it will be a part of our yearly Christmas tradition, reminding us what it is all about.
"Merry Christ-mas!" I hope you will make it meaningfully merrier by giving yourself this movie experience of the life of Mary.
Movie Review: Part the story from the Bible, part tradition, part made up. Still a very moving and beautiful movie.
Summary: 5 Stars
I really liked this telling of the nativity. Here, Mary is a young girl in a very poor village in a very poor family. This is not the Mary of great nobility and dignity we see in the ancient paintings or statures. The story is very effective in getting across the Roman oppression, the reason tax collectors were hated, why Mary becoming pregnant was such a scandal, and the miraculous connection between Jesus and Mary with John and Elizabeth. We also get a sense of the pressure that Mary felt, the hurt and doubts that Joseph felt, and the way they came together to make the journey to Bethlehem. The scene of finding anyplace for Mary to give birth is very moving, as is the placing of the Savior in the manger (a feed box). Thinking of how difficult it was for my wife when our children were born in modern hospitals with modern medicine, and looking at how alone Mary and Joseph were in that stable far from home, with no one to help, I was deeply moved.
The movie does not shy away from using an angel to talk to Mary, Elizabeth, Zacharias, Joseph, and the shepherds. However, it is always the same angel. We don't see the sky open and choruses of angels singing to the shepherds. Still, given how so many movies work to exclude the miraculous, I was happy with what the movie did include.
The three wise men are not used as they are in the Bible, because their part could not be part of the nativity. They came later at some unspecified time to the house of Mary and Joseph, not to the stable. But their coming that night is a part of how everyone pictures the story and a part of every crèche, so the movie went with that. There are three of them, even though the number is unstated in the Bible. However, since there were three gifts three wise men makes sense. They are given the traditional names (again, not in the Bible). And they provide wonderful comic relief along the way.
Herod and his villainy is presented well and we can believe that this monster would order the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem. Again, the conversation with his son is extra Biblical as is the setting of the meeting with the wise men at a meal. However, they are both quite plausible and move the drama along. The point of the meeting with the wise men is exactly right. In this movie, the new star is really the alignment of three stars that come together for the first time in thousands of years and shine directly into the stable in Bethlehem. It makes for a nice dramatic effect. What really happened that night or whenever it was the wise men came the Bible doesn't say nor do I have a clue or a guess.
It is a beautifully done movie, very moving, and I will make viewing it a part of my holidays. It doesn't have to be perfect for me to say, "Strongly recommended".
Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI
Movie Review: The Nativity Story now among my most cherished DVD's
Summary: 5 Stars
Take Harry Potter, and every other story and take a hike with it. The greatest story ever told has been with us for almost 2000 years, and it will never get any better than this. Only the angelic "ruckus" over Bethlehem that holy night, was missing from this film.
I have 1150 DVD American and Foreign movies in my collection. I just watched "The Nativity Story" and was enthralled with its simple beauty. Like the 1979 movie "Jesus" (with Brian Deacon), I was very happy to see it was not shot on a Hollywood lot, and its principle cast looked the part. They looked Jewish. There was not one cockney or British accent detected. There was no more than a few out of place blue-eyes in the entire movie.
The young girl (Keisha) who played the humble young Jewish girl Mary did an amazing job. Casting was superb all around. The movie did justice to Joseph, as a good, patient, honest, sincere, caring, God-loving man. Also, it did not merely toss aside the arduous 100+ mile trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem either. In this movie, I somehow felt I was an "eye-witness" to the privileged feeling even the struggling donkey who carried the holy mother and blessed Savior must have felt.
I liked how the movie did not skip over the huge dilemma holy Mary must have faced when she had to present herself to her betrothed husband, her family and her village --already with child. And it gave us a good peek into Jewish village life during this period. Also, this excellent movie touched on the tumultuous times God had picked to arrive, in order to offer Himself as a korban (sacrificial lamb); for the lost sheep of Israel.
Who will believe it? The greatest of kings. Born in the humblest of places.... God, born in the flesh!
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder: and his name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (written: 712 BC - Before Christ)
This is a timeless story, and an excellent movie; I will always cherish. It is among the top in my collection now. Bravo Zulu to all folks involved with it. To Ted Turner's Time-Warner. Thank you... I had tears in my eyes...
Please keep those stupid coming attraction Ads off DVD's such as this. Especially an occult/paranormal type movie...
Want to learn about Christianity? Start by watching this 2006 movie "The Nativity Story". Then watch the 1979 movie "Jesus", starring Brian Deacon.