'The Nativity Story' Named Best Jesus Movie Since 1890s
New Line Cinema's The Nativity Story has been called the best movie about the birth of Jesus since nativity movies were first produced in the 1890s.
by Gretta Curtis
Posted: Friday, November 17, 2006, 8:35 (GMT)
New Line Cinema's
The Nativity Story has been called the best movie about the birth of Jesus since nativity movies were first produced in the 1890s.
"With the release of
The Nativity Story, Hollywood is finally putting Jesus Christ back into Christmas," Dr. Ted Baehr, chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission noted recently.
The film heads to more than 3,000 of the nation's movie theatres on 1 December.
"Hollywood has recognised there's a gigantic part of the population that goes to church each week," Baehr said. "Go see The Nativity Story, and tell your family and friends to do the same."
The movie tells the story of the birth of Jesus "in a compelling, captivating, entertaining and inspiring matter that shatters expectations," according to Baehr, who has reviewed the film. "The Nativity Story is refreshingly dramatic, so much so that the movie will elicit tears at points," he wrote.
Baehr, a renowned critic, educator, lecturer and media pundit, is the founder and publisher of Movieguide.
Baehr's assessment of changes in Hollywood track with similar trends in America. After years of "holidays" being used to describe the Christmas season, some cracks in the politically correct dam have begun to open, as retailers like Wal-Mart, Kohl's Corp. and Macy's are beginning to use the term "Merry Christmas."
The moves respond to mounting criticism from religious groups that staged boycotts against Wal-Mart and other merchants after they eliminated or de-emphasized "Christmas" in their advertising.
"...The Nativity Story is biblically accurate, historically authentic, and visually stunning. Written with heart... it's destined to become a beloved Christmas classic," said Anne Graham Lotz, founder of AnGeL Ministries and daughter of evangelist Billy Graham.
The Nativity Story, which was produced by the same company that produced the Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings, will make its world premiere at the Vatican on 26 November. It is believed this is the first time a feature film will premiere there.
The film stars Academy Award nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) as Mary, Oscar Isaac (Guerrilla) as Joseph and Academy Award nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (House of Sands and Fog) as Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. It is directed by Catherine Hardwicke (the teen drama "Thirteen") from a screenplay by Mike Rich (Finding Forrester, The Rookie, Radio), himself a devout Christian.
The Nativity Story was filmed in Matera, Italy, also used as a location for The Passion of the Christ, because it is more authentic than the actual sites now. "Nazareth is a modern town and Jerusalem is a very modern town, "said Rich. Shots involving Herod's castle and the temple in Jerusalem were shot in Ouarzazate, Mexico, also used in Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven movies.
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Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Friday, December 15, 2006, 14:24 (GMT)
I went to see this film at the cinema recently and I thought that is was brilliant. Being a relatively young person in my twenties, I found the way the story unfolds is captivating and not just for the more mature of age. My friends and I all enjoyed seeing the year leading up to Jesus' birth in a light that hasn't been seen before. From what I could tell from my education (I am in ministry) the story itself looked basically biblically accurate, with some creativity in the details that the Bible doesn't specifically mention, but not anti-biblical at all. From a film-viewer's perspective, I would of liked to see Mary's character show more emotion at what is happening; such a complex situation for that time culturally, an unwed pregnant girl. Emotionally and spiritually as well I think that one would only feel compelled to show more emotion at the circumstances, but that it just my critic's thinking. Overall, I would say that this film is a good one for Christmas, and I'd give it 3 out of 4 stars.
Matthew, Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom
Added: Tuesday, December 12, 2006, 19:54 (GMT)
We are not to add, subtract or amend ANY of God's Holy Scriptures, as we have been warned:
REVELATION 22:18-19
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Holly, England
Added: Thursday, November 30, 2006, 2:51 (GMT)
It's not all about Mary. It's just that she was the first to bring Christ into the world! And to say yes to God despite all the difficulties and even threats on her life. We are all called to bring the light of Christ into our world. We all need to be more like her! and say yes to God every day!
Patti, Florida
Added: Sunday, November 26, 2006, 20:51 (GMT)
It's all about Joseph also !
I've just seen it tonight.
Beautiful photographs and landscapes.
I loved what the Magi's say when they offer their gifts.
A great moment of the true joy of Christmas.
And even those who do not usually like the Gospel may be amazed. When you see how Joseph and Mary behave, even rejected by the people of Nazareth... and stopped at the "check-point" of that time.
To many this film may ask the question
one of the wise men from the East utters :
"Where is your faith now ?"
Cyprien, Rome, Italy
Added: Wednesday, November 22, 2006, 19:36 (GMT)
Why didnt they just call it "Its all about Mary." It is obvious that it is going to be a Catholic idol movie... Which is why it is starting at the vatican.
John, Beirut
