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.

---

Plot Keywords:

palestine | nazareth israel | star | bethlehem | virgin | 

---

Taglines:

One Couple. One Journey. One Child...who would change the world...forever

---

Genres:

Drama | Family | History

---

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:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,849,304, 3 December 2006, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$37,629,831, 18 January 2007

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$46,432,264, 17 August 2008

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

Mike Rich began writing the screenplay of the movie on 1 December 2005, exactly a year before its release.

---

Goofs

Horse riders have stirrups, which were invented many centuries later.

---

Quotes

Mary: You believe me?
Joseph: Yes, the angel came to me in my dream.

---

Connections

Version of The Nativity (1978)

---

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

Far Deeper and far more realistic than previous renditions

When it comes to biblical movies, I always look for accurate biblical and theological rendering first and foremost. But accuracy is not necessarily enjoyable. You can easily tell if a movie is low-budget or not. You can easily tell if the acting is superficial or not.

This movie is different. It combines biblical accuracy with excellent acting. Each character was portrayed very correctly. I have studied the biblical characters immensely; and from what we have in the synoptic gospels, the actors brought to live those beloved characters of the bible.

This is a Christian movie filled with biblical themes and messages. If you are looking for different interpretation than the biblical one, you might not like it. But if you are looking for good acting or accurate biblical rendering, you will not be disappointed.

Treat yourself this Christmas to one of the most beautiful movies.