I knew to some degree the story of Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem prior to seeing this film. Mary's Immaculate Conception and Joseph needing to go back to his ancestral beginnings for the census was my knowledge of what happened leading up to the birth of Jesus. What I didn't know was how I would like the movie.
Released on the first day of the Advent season, Catherine Hardwicke's The Nativity Story hit theatres with no intention of trying to convert audiences into Christianity or to make waves in the media. The film is simply a visual retelling of the story of the days leading up to the birth of Jesus. Nothing over the top or too outrageous, but a tasteful presentation.
The film opens with the "Killing of the Innocence", an order given out by King Herod to his soldiers to kill all children in Bethlehem of age two and under, so to snuff out the prophecy of "the king of all kings". No worries, this film has a PG rating.
Now rewind one year to Nazareth where Mary and her family live, unsuspecting of the events that are about to unfold. Keisha Castle-Hughes plays the teenage girl that will give birth to her people's savior. While working in the village, Mary is visited by an angel and is told that she will give birth to her people's savior, Mary's Immaculate Conception, and to go to her cousin Elizabeth who is also with child.
Soon after, Mary goes to visit her cousin who knows about Mary's baby. Even though Elizabeth is too old to have child, her husband Zechariah was told by God that she will and to name it John.
When Mary returns to Nazareth, the townspeople are in shock and disgust, not aware of what had happened to her. Joseph too is reluctant to believe her until one night the angel comes to him in a dream telling him that she her conception was divine.
Meanwhile King Herod is trying to keep order over his kingdom and ensure the safety of his crown by any means necessary. Far away, the Three Wise Men, Balthasar, Gaspar, and Melchior, begin their journey across the desert to Judea, following the star that will hopefully lead them to "the king".
What is most appealing about the film is that just about everyone knows how the story goes, yet when the moment of birth draws closer and closer, its as if you are hearing it for the first time. I didn't know what to expect from the birth, but everything came together perfectly.
The most unexpected parts of the film certainly involve the two birth scenes. Both Elizabeth and Mary suffer from the pains of childbirth and although it might seem unsettling, it is a birth and is not meant to offend or displease audiences.
The film doesn't have a scintillating script or new and inventive filming techniques. What is so profound about the film is that it doesn't make waves with anyone. Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ certainly stirred up some controversy with the scourging and alleged "anti-semantic" context. The biggest difference between this film and The Passion is definitely the rating.
The Nativity Story is a heart warming tale that proves anything can be accomplished if you never give up and have faith. That is the message conveyed; faith. Mary's faith, Joseph's faith, and even the three wise men's faith in finding something they all weren't sure about, but were ready to believe it.
Released on the first day of the Advent season, Catherine Hardwicke's The Nativity Story hit theatres with no intention of trying to convert audiences into Christianity or to make waves in the media. The film is simply a visual retelling of the story of the days leading up to the birth of Jesus. Nothing over the top or too outrageous, but a tasteful presentation.
The film opens with the "Killing of the Innocence", an order given out by King Herod to his soldiers to kill all children in Bethlehem of age two and under, so to snuff out the prophecy of "the king of all kings". No worries, this film has a PG rating.
Now rewind one year to Nazareth where Mary and her family live, unsuspecting of the events that are about to unfold. Keisha Castle-Hughes plays the teenage girl that will give birth to her people's savior. While working in the village, Mary is visited by an angel and is told that she will give birth to her people's savior, Mary's Immaculate Conception, and to go to her cousin Elizabeth who is also with child.
Soon after, Mary goes to visit her cousin who knows about Mary's baby. Even though Elizabeth is too old to have child, her husband Zechariah was told by God that she will and to name it John.
When Mary returns to Nazareth, the townspeople are in shock and disgust, not aware of what had happened to her. Joseph too is reluctant to believe her until one night the angel comes to him in a dream telling him that she her conception was divine.
Meanwhile King Herod is trying to keep order over his kingdom and ensure the safety of his crown by any means necessary. Far away, the Three Wise Men, Balthasar, Gaspar, and Melchior, begin their journey across the desert to Judea, following the star that will hopefully lead them to "the king".
What is most appealing about the film is that just about everyone knows how the story goes, yet when the moment of birth draws closer and closer, its as if you are hearing it for the first time. I didn't know what to expect from the birth, but everything came together perfectly.
The most unexpected parts of the film certainly involve the two birth scenes. Both Elizabeth and Mary suffer from the pains of childbirth and although it might seem unsettling, it is a birth and is not meant to offend or displease audiences.
The film doesn't have a scintillating script or new and inventive filming techniques. What is so profound about the film is that it doesn't make waves with anyone. Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ certainly stirred up some controversy with the scourging and alleged "anti-semantic" context. The biggest difference between this film and The Passion is definitely the rating.
The Nativity Story is a heart warming tale that proves anything can be accomplished if you never give up and have faith. That is the message conveyed; faith. Mary's faith, Joseph's faith, and even the three wise men's faith in finding something they all weren't sure about, but were ready to believe it.