The Nativity Story (2006)

A drama that focuses on the period in Mary and Joseph's life where they journeyed to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.

Director:

Catherine Hardwicke

Writer:

Mike Rich

Stars:

Keisha Castle-Hughes, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Oscar Isaac

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Keisha Castle-Hughes	...	Mary
Oscar Isaac	...	Joseph
Hiam Abbass	...	Anna
Shaun Toub	...	Joaquim
Ciarán Hinds	...	Herod
Shohreh Aghdashloo	...	Elizabeth
Stanley Townsend	...	Zechariah
Alexander Siddig	...	The Angel Gabriel
Nadim Sawalha	...	Melchior
Eriq Ebouaney	...	Balthasar
Stefan Kalipha	...	Gaspar
Alessandro Giuggioli	...	Antipas
Farida Ouchani	...	Ruth
Saïd Amadis	...	Tero
Maria Giovanna Donzelli	...	Mary's Friend

Storyline

In Nazareth, teenager Mary is betrothed to the local carpenter, Joseph. Mary is visited by an angel and told that she will fulfill a prophecy and as a virgin give birth to God's son, the savior of the world. Mary's pregnancy brings her the scorn of the community and Joseph struggles to believe her seemingly outlandish story. Meanwhile, a census forces every man and his family to return to his place of birth. Joseph and Mary set out on a long and arduous journey to Bethlehem. This story is based on the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus Christ.

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Plot Keywords:

palestine | nazareth israel | star | f rated | bethlehem | 

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Taglines:

One family . One journey. One child...who would change the world forever.

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Genres:

Drama | Family | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some violent content

Details

Official Sites:

Metropolitan Films [France] Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nativity

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,025,000, 3 December 2006

Gross USA:

$37,629,831

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$46,432,264

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, Sound for Film, Temple Hill Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

DTS SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

By the time New Line had agreed to finance the film, several other studios had similar nativity scripts under review, so the film was rushed to production for a Christmas 2006 release date, thereby eliminating competition.

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Goofs

When Herod is making a sacrifice to atone for his misdeeds in the temple, he offers a bull. According to Leviticus, the proper sacrifice for a ruler who sins is a goat.

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Quotes

[a man tries to steal their money]
Joseph: What comes with us, stays with us.

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Connections

Featured in HBO First Look: The Nativity Story: A Director's Journey (2006)

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Soundtracks

In Rosa Vernat Lilium
(The Rose and the Lily)
Music by Mychael Danna
Lyrics by Elizabeth Danna
Performed by Azam Ali
Azam Ali appears courtesy of Six Degrees Records

User Reviews

At last a great family movie.

As a Catholic/Christian publisher I did not expect the integrity that the movie The Nativity Story presents. The story is produced with good taste and careful thought. At times the Scripture may be bent but it is never broken. The bends are simply to aid in the visual telling of the story and are not offensive.

I found it to be very good family viewing with minimal violence and the scenes were not graphic in nature. The lesson in family love alone is worth the price of a ticket. The bonus is the lesson in faith and trust in God. I would encourage you to take children of all ages.

The theology should be acceptable to all Christians. However, I did talk to one priest that had a problem with the childbirth scene. He subscribes to the theology that Mary's childbirth was not painful. I understand his theology but I disagree with it on the grounds of Jesus and Mary's humanity. Also the arrival of the Wise Men at the time of the birth though not correct does not hurt the story. Still I feel that these small problems would be a poor and unjust reason not to see, or tell others not to see this movie.

Of all the versions of this story that have been done I found it to be the most inspiring and visually the most tastefully done. At last we have a great family movie that puts Christ back into Christmas.

Executive Director Contemplation Corner Press