4/5 The Nativity Story
  by Terrie L. Yow (NC)
Movie Review - The Nativity Story

The Nativity Story is a moving recount of the life of Mary and Joseph and the events before and during the selection as parents to God's only Son. The movie depcits their struggles and long journey that ends in a lowly stable located in Bethlehem where the miracle birth of Jesus, Christ and Savior to the world, takes place.

Christianity is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The message of love resonates through His entire ministry. Although crucified in His early thirties for a crime he did not commit, His teachings continued through the devotion of His twelve disciples and the many people whose lives He touched. By giving His life, Jesus saved the world and provided salvation to those who seek it. Through the blood that he shed, all who believe in Him will have everlasting life. Three days after His crucifixion, Jesus arose from the dead. During this time, he spent much time consoling and encouraging his disciples to continue their mission of spreading the gospel. Many of His teachings and life stories can be found in the books of Matthew, Luke, Paul, and John, from the New Testament. The ministry of Christ is still very much alive today as Christians all over the world celebrate His life and practice his teachings.

The script focuses largely on Mary and her struggles of carrying this miracle child. How is she supposed to explain her pregnancy, when being pregnant outside of marriage is considered a disgrace? To complicate matters further, she must try to explain how she became pregnant while still a virgin.

The movie starts off a little slow, but has a strong ending. It is a very good film choice for the entire family and will be especially memorable to watch around the Christmas holiday season.


5/5 5 Stars for Jesus
  by Nurse Mommy (North Carolina)
We all know the traditional story of how Jesus was born from a virgin in a stable when there was no room at the inn. We all know how Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem on a Donkey so they could pay their taxes and be counted for Cesar's census. Anytime a Biblical story is put on the big screen a Christian always wonders, "how true to God's word is this movie going to be?" This was not the case with Catherine Hardwicke's Nativity Story.
This movie really gave you a different look at the entire situation surrounding Jesus' birth and what a miracle it truly was. The Bible really doesn't give you much from Joseph and this movie really pulled him out and brought his emotions and feelings to the forefront. It really played on the families' emotions and what they thought about the pregnancy. It showed a more realistic side to the Christmas story. It showed that Jesus was born from human people who do get angry and upset, something you really don't think about when you see nativity scenes or Christmas cards with Joseph leading a donkey carrying Mary who is nine months pregnant.
You read and read the story over and over throughout the years and there are parts that you really don't ever think about or really consider until you see them come alive before your eyes on the big screen. It was truly amazing to see the story of how Jesus' birth and life unfolded and made me feel a lot better to know that there was a little bit of drama surrounding His birth as well. It makes us all feel a little more normal, I am sure. This movie was very true and Biblicaly accurate and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know the real Christmas story.


4/5 "We Are Each Given A Gift"
  by Brian E. Erland (CA - USA)
'The Nativity Story' is a reverent, straight forward presentation chronicling the events leading up to and shortly after the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The problem with making a movie about such a universally known tale is that it's almost impossible to create any level of excitement or anticipation, everyone knows exactly where the storyline is heading and what's going to happen along the way. How then do you stimulate interest and focus from the audience? You treat a classic tale in a classic manner. Remain true to the original text, make certain the character portrayals are believable yet iconic and stir the senses with breathtaking Middle East scenery and an inspiring, heartfelt soundtrack. And one more thing, develop some small element in the story that the audience hasn't seen in other films covering the Biblical account. You know, something that allows the movie to make a unique impression on the viewer and thus stand out from other versions.

In my opinion 'The Nativity Story' followed all the points mentioned above to near perfection. I was especially impressed by Oscar Isaac in the role of Joseph the carpenter. Joseph is generally an all but forgotten character in the nativity narrative while all the focus is on Mary. In this film you finally get a glimpse of the real Joseph, a man of deep faith, honesty, honor and commitment. Oscar Isaac delivers a fully developed Joseph, a man you can respect and understand why he was chosen by God in the same way Mary was. His superb portrayal stands out in my mind as the one of those stand out elements that set this film apart from others dealing with the same subject matter. Another important element was the extended time spent on examining the personalities and motives of the three wise men. There interaction with each other was not only a refreshing addition but added an unexpected comical element. Nicely done!

4/5 Satisfying Rendering of the Events Leading up to Christ's Birth
  by James A. Strong (Atlanta, Georgia United States)
How do you tell one of the most well known stories in the world--in this case, the birth of Jesus Christ--and still make it meaningful and topical? Everyone who's ever been to Sunday school or listened to an overly-religious relative tell the story can look at a porcelain nativity scene on a mantle or the front lawn of a home, or watch the same old church presentation and come up with this movie's basic plot outline and execution in their heads. This movie works because of how it fills in the blanks. In other words, what were the principal characters thinking, saying, and experiencing in the days before this extraordinary event? Remarkably, the answers this movie provides are honest and true-to-life. It takes its sweet time getting to its inevitable conclusion and, like a lot of Christian films and other forms of entertainment, its emotional crescendos feel a bit heavy-handed and overdone in places, but the performances of Keisha Castle-Hughes as Mary, Ciaran Hinds as Herod, and many others in key roles, aren't. Destined to be a staple for those who want to illustrate the spiritual background of Christmas traditions, "The Nativity Story" is a film that will hold up to scrutiny.

5/5 Great Christmas Movie
  by Linda Y (Columbus, OH)
I really loved how this Nativity story was told. It focused more on the feelings and faith of Mary and Joseph coming together for the birth of Christ. If you're a believer, this story will bring chills to your soul with emotions for the sacrafice, hardships and love Joseph showed Mary on their travel to Bethlehem.