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The Nativity Story By Warner Home Video (Manufactured by) Our Price $ 10.92   Retail Value $ 14.96   You Save $ 4.04  (27%)   Item Number 34798   Buy New Item Quantity: Available on the Internet only.

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	A Beautiful Tale  Mar 26, 2007
While some will argue about the inaccuracies of the film, "The Nativity Story" does a very fine job of expanding on the story of Jesus' birth by focusing not on the actual birth, but on the relationships between Mary, Joseph, and their neighbors, friends and family as the story unfolds. The movie begins with King Herod's slaughter of Bethlehem's oldest sons under the age of two. It then cuts back one year earlier to show us the announcement of John the Baptist's birth to his soon-to-be-mute father, Zechariah. From there, we see the day-to-day lives of people suffering under Herod's rule. We witness young Mary and her family struggle to make ends meet and to pay the taxes forced upon them by Rome. We also see Joseph ask Mary's father for her hand in marriage which, essentially, is a good business move for the family. As the rest of the story unfolds, Gabriel announces the birth to Mary, she visits and is mentored by her cousin Elizabeth, and then she returns home obviously pregnant. Not wanting any harm to come to her, Joseph refuses to announce any charges against Mary, which could lead to her death by stoning. Gabriel then visits Joseph in a dream and calms his worries. After this Joseph and Mary set out for Bethlehem following the ruling of Herod who now wants a census taken. Of course, he's secretly hoping that the census will reveal this great "King of the Jews" who threatens his reign. The bulk of the tale takes place on the road to Bethlehem. We see a number of trials that Mary and Joseph go through, as well as a glimpse of what might have gone through both of their heads as they awaited the arrival of Jesus. We also see the journey of the three Magi who've set out to see the prophecy of a king revealed. Although they supply a bit of light comic relief, the Magi aren't reduced to idiots. As mentioned, some liberties are taken with the story, especially during the actual birth of Jesus and the eventual flight to Egypt. One could argue for days over these points in the plot, but just know that "The Nativity Story" gets the story correct in all the right places. Director Catherine Hardwicke ("Thirteen") and writer Mike Rich ("Finding Forrester") take special care with the telling of this story. It's executed at a somewhat slow pace, but not so slow that one loses interest. Keisha Castle-Hughes does a very good job as Mary, but I feel that the real star here is Oscar Isaac as Joseph. Joseph has always been treated as something of a third wheel in many theatrical tellings of this story. In "The Nativity Story," however, we get to see him not only sacrifice his standing in society by accepting a woman who appears to have had relations outside of wedlock, but we also see him as a caring, loving man willing to risk his life for a child that isn't his own. Joseph has a very key role in the birth of Our Lord, and he finally gets his well-deserved screen time here. Of note is the music in this film, which is some of the most beautiful music I've heard in a movie in a long time. The DVD presentation of this film is good, but the audio is too low at times. Other than that, I have no problems with this DVD. I highly recommend this film for families and for anyone who enjoys films based on the Bible.
	Realistic portrayal of Mary & Joseph  Mar 26, 2007
Most Bible-based movies are more imagination than revelation, but "The Nativity Story" is an exception to that rule. I found this retelling of the birth of the Messiah to be refreshingly free of "artistic license", with only a few minor elements added by the screenwriters. I especially like the way the film conveys the awkwardness of Mary's situation. Her family wants to believe her story about the angel and her miraculous pregnancy, but they still have their doubts. The pain and betrayal on Joseph's face when he first sees her "condition" is genuinely heartrending. Despite their marriage being an arranged one, it's obvious that he truly loves Mary. He struggles to believe her, but it's only when the angel appears to him in a dream that he is able to accept her story. The knowing looks and wary aloofness of the neighbors isn't described in the Bible, but I would be shocked if it didn't happen. In fact, the Gospel of John does indicate that there were rumors about Jesus' parentage (see John 8:41). There are other good moments, too. I liked Joseph's desperation as he races from door to door in Bethlehem looking for a place to stay. It never occurred to me before that Mary's labor might have begun before they actually arrived at the stable; it's certainly believable that Joseph would have been nearly frantic to get shelter. Another sequence I liked was Mary's meeting with her cousin Elisabeth. I tend to forget that Elisabeth was much older than Mary. God must have known that Mary would need a confidant and mentor, someone who would believe her because of her own miraculous pregnancy. The film is not without its flaws. For some reason they left out the "multitude of the heavenly host" that appeared to the shepherds. It also reinforces an age-old error by having the Wise Men show up at the manger (the Bible indicates that Mary & Joseph had moved into a house by the time of the Magi's visit, and also refers to Jesus as a "young Child" rather than a baby). By the way, I had read that the movie portrayed the Wise Men as "comic relief". I was afraid they would be more like the Three Stooges than the Three Magi, but fortunately, the humor is very gentle and only serves to make them more human and likeable. Technically, the film is solid, although Keisha Castle-Hughes could have used more facial expression in her performance. I would also like to see a religious movie whose musical score doesn't go to the "oooh..aaaah" choral well too often. Overall, though, I enjoyed the film and would recommend it for anyone who would like to see the birth of Christ in a fresh light.
	The most beautiful Biblical I've seen  Mar 26, 2007
No, it's not top notch (Oscar) perfect, but it is perfectly told. The picture is at times grainy, but the scenes are beautiful. So simple a child can understand and enjoy it. The sexual undertones are "inferred by their eyes", but not in your face. I can only imagine it might have been that way for them at the time. Facial and eye expressions are what makes this movie so moving, along with the beautiful scenery. Our whole family enjoyed this movie and we're getting a couple to give as early Christmas gifts to our nieces & nephews.
	The Nativity Story -- Great for your family  Mar 25, 2007
The Nativity Story is a little simplistic and moves on quickly and without much of turmoil that had to be present around these events but with all of the violent and stupid films that are released now days, I am thankful that a studio made this telling of the story. The Nativity Story is a great faith-based family story. Perfect for watching with your children as you try to get them to understand Mary and Joseph as living, breathing, people. The film is well intentioned and well done. In some ways it is like a "Golden Book" made into a film. I recommend it highly to those who are trying to bring an understanding of faith and Christianity to their children in a way that is easy to absorb.
	AWESOME...But The Book Is Better(Get A Bible)  Mar 23, 2007
I remember when this film was first released in theaters and I hated missing the theatrical run with a passion...now having waited with great anticipation the release of this timeless tale on dvd and having added it to my collection, it was as worth the wait and the anticipation as was for the Passion of the Christ(in my opinion). I loved the set and it's atmosphere because it closely and realistically resemebled models and 3D CGI presentations of what Ancient Israel may've looked like, Temple and all...AWESOME. The cast did an outstanding job as well, like with the Passion, we have breathtaking performances and a well put together dramatization of the Nativity. In comparison/contrast with movies like the Passion...where the Passion was bloody(a necessary reality, because saving grace through Jesus' Blood is the core of Christian faith) the Nativity Story is as impacting, but humble. My only qualm is with the close but no cigar approach to being biblically accurate(one of the latter posts was on point about the sequence of events, an angelic host b4 the shepherds would have been nice, the Bible does contradict the traditional kings, shepherds, and gift presentations to the "baby" Jesus in the manger set up(He was about 2 years old when He was found..which is why Herod ordered the deaths of male children up to 2 years old), and I'd also go on to add that the Bible under no circumstance specified or named only 3 kings/wisemen, for all we now, there may've been caravans of wise men considering kings/wise men didn't travel without an entourage. But over all...a keeper...superb for the Christmas season.

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