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Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar Isaac, Hiam Abbass, Shaun Toub, Alexander Siddig ... see more see more... , Nadim Sawalha , Eriq Ebouaney , Stefan Kalipha , Saïd Armadis , Stanley Townsend , Ciarán Hinds , Shohreh Aghdashloo , Alessandro Giuggioli , Farida Ouchani , Said Amadis , Maria Giovanna Donzelli , Francesca Piliero , Serge Feuillard , Kais Nashef , Andy Lucas , Tomer Gazit Sisley , Jeffrey Kissoon , Lucia Zotti , Monica Contini , Paola Sotgiu , Gabrielle Scharnitzky , Stewart Scudamore , Chiara Di Pede , Zinedine Soualem , Luciana Filomena Paolicelli , Damir Todorovic , Mat Patresi , Ted Rusoff , Sami Samir , Yvonne Sciò , Andrea Bruschi , Jean Claude Breitman-Deret , Angela Lurilli , Francesco Martoccia , Alessandro Piscitelli , Maria Antonietta DiMonte , Emilio Andrisiani , Emilia Fortunato , Gilda

Australian-born Whale Rider sensation and Oscar nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes stars opposite Oscar Isaac in Lords of Dogtown director Catherine Hardwicke's dramatic account of the Annunciation, and the... read more read more... arduous journey of Mary and Joseph to give birth to baby Jesus. House of Sand and Fog's Shohreh Aghdashloo co-stars in a film with a screenplay by The Rookie and Finding Forrester scribe Mike Rich. Filmed in the village of Matera, Italy (a locale that has remained virtually untouched by modern progress and also served as the backdrop for Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ), and Quarzazate, Morocco, former production designer Hardwicke's film strives for authenticity in telling the Bible's most treasured tale. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

74% liked it

81,396 ratings

Critics

38% liked it

128 critics

PG, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke

Release Date: December 1, 2006

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DVD Release Date: March 20, 2007

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Stats: 3,805 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,805)

  • cosmo313
    December 30, 2010
    cosmo313
    I wasn't sure what to really expect from this, especially given how I was hesitant to ever see it...and that was before I knew who Catherine Hardwicke was, and way before Twilight.

    I finally sat down and watched it (not much better to do when one can't sleep a day or two after... read more Christmas)..truth is...this actually isn't too bad. It's not a great movie, but it's decent enough, and worth a watch once in a while.

    Tjis is actually a quite faithful and thoughtful take on the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. It's powerful, and moving, and all of that sentimental stuff, but that doesn'ty take away from the fact that even then, it's got some good camera work (although I wish the film didn't look so washed out), okay performances, and is very accessible. Also, there's a lot of great anthropological/cultural/historical type stuff on display, and not only is it done well, I was surprised it was there (in a good way).

    This is no masterpiece, but it does the story justice.
  • coollala0910
    November 30, 2010
    coollala0910
    Christmas Move Review Mania
    Episode #1: The Nativity Story

    It's the last day of November and people around the world are preparing for the Christmas season. I am to and welcome to Christmas Movie Review Mania! I will be writing reviews of Christmas movies up until the big day... read more. This won't be a daily thing. To start off, I will review a film that promotes the true meaning of Christmas: The Nativity Story.

    The film is a retelling of Mary and Joseph story. Despite the fact that Mary is a virgin, God makes her the mother of Jesus Christ. Her and her arranged husband, Joseph travel to Bethlehem in order to pay their taxes and give birth to the child as well. Meanwhile, the Wise Men are on their way to meet the child and King Herod make a plan to massacre baby boys and the Son of God himself.

    The cinematography is amazing and realistic and Catherine Hardwickes's direction (she also helmed Twilight) is wonderful. The acting is good. I don't see why many critics hated it. Mary's actress added much emotion into her character. Oscar Isaac was awesome as Joseph. The supporting cast delivers as well. A beautiful film that everyone needs to see this season. I mean it!

    "I wonder if I will even be able to teach him anything."
  • sanjurosamurai
    March 8, 2009
    sanjurosamurai
    this film has not been well recieved, but it was powerful. there were a few small inaccuracies as far as consitency to Scripture, but the film was well made and well played. I'll watch this every Christmas from now on.
  • Redlats
    November 20, 2007
    Redlats
    Well, if you have ever sat through a Christmas play, you know the story already. The movie was OK - nothing earth-shattering. I didn't realize the middle east was as dry as this movie portrays it.
  • deano
    April 8, 2007
    deano
    Beautiful Bible film of Jesus' parents on their incredible journey of hope and discovery. This is my first time of Bible story about Mary and Joseph before giving their son born. Director Catherine Hardwicke makes a wonderful bibical story against a realistic and detailed recreat... read moreion of village life of the era.
    God blesses you.
  • wbgoose13
    November 28, 2006
    wbgoose13
    Like a big ol' Christmas card, just as pretty and shallow. Kinda predictable, though...
  • jayrunham
    December 25, 2009
    jayrunham
    I thought it was pretty good. Well acted, not really 100% accurate, but still a nice family film to celebrate Christmas.
  • John2223
    April 8, 2009
    John2223
    A so so portrayal of Mary and Joseph with good cinematography and decent acting.
  • broadwaymo
    December 29, 2007
    broadwaymo
    With but a few exceptions, The Nativity Story from director Catherine Hardwicke and writer Mike Rich, is an accurate depiction of the events surrounding the birth of Christ, as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Keisha Castle-Hughes and Oscar Isaac are respectful in the... read moreir roles as Mary and Joseph, Ciarán Hinds is menacing as the ruthless King Herod with a touch of levity and wonder provided in the portrayal of the three magi. Additionally, the excellent cinematography, costuming and sets give a very professional look to the overall production.
  • DrLappos
    May 14, 2007
    DrLappos
    Knew the ending...he died.

View All The Nativity Story Reviews

Critic Reviews

Tom Charity
July 9, 2007
Tom Charity, CNN.com

Of course there is nothing inherently wrong with preaching to the converted -- secular Hollywood does it all the time. But I confess I wish the movie had some of the passion of The Passion of the Christ. Full Review

Richard Roeper
December 4, 2006
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

We just haven't had too many films that concentrate on this story. Full Review

Stephanie Zacharek
December 1, 2006
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

I have to hand it to Hardwicke: I was a lot less bored by The Nativity Story than I feared I'd be. Full Review

Claudia Puig
December 1, 2006
Claudia Puig, USA Today

It's not exactly the dullest story ever told, but it's certainly not the greatest. Full Review

Geoff Pevere
December 1, 2006
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

The Nativity Story may prove just idiosyncratic enough to alienate the doctrinaire believers but not quite weird enough to appeal to revisionists, cultists or regular holiday moviegoers. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
December 1, 2006
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

One of the incidental points of the film, particularly powerful, is that doing the right thing isn't easy, even in the face of divine assurance. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
December 1, 2006
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

Yes, there is something about Mary. Something inspiring. Something hopeful.

Roger Moore
December 1, 2006
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

This is the movie Mel Gibson should have made, a simple tale simply titled and sweetly told. Full Review

Lisa Rose
December 1, 2006
Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger

While Mel Gibson's epic was a divisive film, it had a visceral impact the new movie lacks. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
December 1, 2006
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Even some of the many nuns at the screening I attended were shifting uncomfortably in their wimples.

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The Nativity Story Trivia

  • Which movie stars Keisha Castle-Hughes as Mary the mother of Jesus?  Answer »
  • Under the time of King Herod, a young woman and her fiancee's faith were put to the test, on their way to a journey of hope and discovery. What is the name of this movie that stars Keisha Castle-Hughes and Oscar Issac?  Answer »
  • The director of "The Nativity Story (2006)" was  Answer »
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