Thursday, December 25, 2014

The Nativity Story (2006): The Birth of Jesus Christ


     Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, The Nativity Story (2006) made history by being the first film to hold it's world premiere at Vatican City. Shot in parts of Italy and Morocco, the film made diligent efforts to portray the two-thousand-year-old Biblical setting as accurately as possible. The sets, costumes and props were all meticulously chosen and designed, and the cinematography is brilliant. The cast, comprised of mostly lesser-known actors, does a fine job, including Keisha Castle-Hughes, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Oscar Isaac and Ciaran Hinds.
     An ancient prophecy regarding the arrival of a new Messiah, the King of Kings, is well known. Understandably, King Herod (Ciaran Hinds) is concerned about the threat to his power...

The Nativity Story: King Herod

     Three wise men also know of the prophecy, and having followed the alignment of the stars, they believe the Messiah will be coming soon... 

The Nativity Story: the wise men

     Meanwhile, in Nazareth, young Mary (Keisha Castle Hughes) has been betrothed to marry Joseph (Oscar Isaac), but their union is not to be consummated for one year... 

The Nativity Story: Mary and Joseph

     An angel comes to Mary, telling her that she is to give birth to the son of God, and that she shall name him "Jesus." With her never having been with a man, Mary's family and husband are horrified when she becomes visibly pregnant, fearing scandal and Mary's potential death by stoning for infidelity. The same angel comes to Joseph in a dream, however, explains everything and puts him at ease... 

The Nativity Story: The Virgin Mary

     When Herod learns that the new Messiah is a child of the House of David, he orders a census, requiring each man to return to the land of his ancestors... 

The Nativity Story:

     Being from Bethlehem, Joseph must bring the pregnant Mary along with him... 

The Nativity Story: Joseph and Mary

     on the long journey to his homeland... 

The Nativity Story: Joseph and Mary

     where, upon arrival, with no other decent lodgings, Mary gives birth to Jesus... 

The Nativity Story: Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus

     in a manger... 

The Nativity Story: the birth of Jesus Christ

     surrounded by a blessed few... 

The Nativity Story: Adoration of the Magi

     But knowing that Herod will not stop until the child is killed, the angel instructs Joseph and Marry to take the Christ child to Egypt for safety, until it is deemed safe for them to return...

The Nativity Story: The Virgin Mary


"The Nativity Story" (2006)- movie trailer