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Christmas Is Coming: “The Nativity” Heads to the Big Screen

posted by Kris Rasmussen | 5:54pm Thursday September 28, 2006

One of the movies I am most excited about seeing this upcoming movie season is New Line’s version of Jesus’ birth, “The Nativity Story.” And if you are as interested as I am in how Hollywood is going to treat the Christmas story this time around, well, the official movie trailer is available online.

While it is true I scoffed ever-so-slightly when I heard New Line was going to develop the project, all of my concerns about this story–that it wouldn’t be given the respect and artistic merit worthy of the big screen–were assuaged when I heard that teen actress Keisha Castle-Hughes (“Whale Rider”) had been cast as Mary and that Mike Rich, the screenwriter, is a Christian.

If all of my LA/Hollywood insider friends are correct with their information, the movie will be less of a sappy Hallmark greeting card and more of a glimpse at the very human emotions Mary and Joseph felt as they embarked on their journey to Bethlehem. The movie will trace the life of Mary and Joseph prior to the birth of Christ and follow the family through Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt after King Herod’s mandate to kill baby boys under the age of two.

So while Hollywood has been somewhat erratic in its attempts to tap into the market that made “Passion of the Christ” a blockbuster, everything I am hearing and reading confirms that this time Hollywood has a hit–one most Christians won’t want to miss. (Click here to see the trailer.)



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Comments read comments(13)
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mslily

posted September 29, 2006 at 10:38 am


Saw a test screening of it. It was well done, but started with Herod’s slaughter of the recently born, the rest is a flashback. Not your typical “Precious Moments” scenario!



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mslily

posted September 29, 2006 at 10:41 am


Saw a test screening of it. It was well done, but started with Herod’s slaughter of the recently born, the rest is a flashback. Not your typical “Precious Moments” scenario



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Aaron

posted October 1, 2006 at 9:46 pm


“The Nativity Story” is one of two movies that I want to see in December. The other is “Eragon”.



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Anonymous

posted October 6, 2006 at 8:33 pm


But Whale Rider was a “sappy Hallmark greeting card” — and what? Am I hearing that your concerns are assuaged because the screenwriter is a Christian? Being a Christian has never been a qualification for being a good writer. The bloggers on this site appear to be mostly Christians, and the writing is absolutely horrible.>



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JUJU

posted October 7, 2006 at 3:44 am


I WATCH TBN AND I HAVE SEEN THE TRAILER TO THE MOVIE,IT IS AN REFRESHING MOVIE CONSIDERING MOST HOLLYWOOD MOVIES,WITH VERY EMOTINAL,ACTION PACKED MOMENTS. THE TRUTH WILL PREVAIL! I HOPE CHRISTIANS SUPPORT THIS MOVIE. I FEEL THERE WILL BE ALOT OF ‘TALK’CONCERNING THIS FILM,CONSIDERING MOST GNOSTICS AND ATHIESTS DISBELIEVE THE ‘VIRGIN’BIRTH. BUT,AHHHH..THE PROFF IS IN THE PUDDDING! JUJU



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Val

posted October 7, 2006 at 7:46 am


I just read where the girl playing Mary (only 16) is pregnant by her 19 year old boyfriend. I hope that this doesn’t take away from the movie’s message. That it takes the focus off of the real miracle of the facts of this story, and the beautiful writing and filming that has been done, would be ashameful thing. But Hollywood being what it is, I am sure that is what will happen. Christians every where need to pray that this is won’t be a major theme in the media, and that God’s grace and mercy shine through.



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Daldianus

posted October 7, 2006 at 3:40 pm


Haha, yes, I’ve just read too that the teen actress is pregnant! Apparently it wasn’t an immaculate conception though ;)



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Melissa

posted October 7, 2006 at 8:22 pm


I think this movie looks fantastic – I am excited to see how New Line Cinemas portrays this incredibly important historical and spiritual event. If this film is as good as it looks from the trailer, they may make history as far as ticket sales. If the marketing for the film is any good, they will.



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Rhonda

posted October 7, 2006 at 9:59 pm


To me..if the young lady playing Mary is wanting to bring out the beauty and love of God through the movie, that is what’s importance. If she love’s her b/f,and he love’s her,no matter what’s right or wrong..their baby will know love.



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Daldianus

posted October 8, 2006 at 9:03 pm


The movie should be a hit. Religious fiction is very popular at the moment.



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HASH(0xfd52ddc)

posted November 8, 2006 at 7:21 pm


“Religious” fiction, maybe. CHRISTIAN fact, for sure! Faith is is much more important than religion. I am torn. I want the movie to be successful since it is about the birth of my Savior, but I’m disappointed about the actresses pregnancy out of wedlock. I want to promote the movie, but how do I justify her pregnancy to my teenagers who I have taught to remain pure until marriage?



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annonymous

posted December 4, 2006 at 6:23 pm


pray for the actress. No one who walks on earth today is 100% perfect. If she made this mistake then she needs the support and not critisim.



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Peacemaker

posted October 25, 2007 at 7:21 pm


Mary – during this time period was a disgrace her whole life. Scorned and some hated her and her family after they found out she was pregant, it is too bad that they did not realize she was caring our dear Savior and Lord.
As for the actress being preg I do think that it is the parents responsibility to teach their children right from wrong not the movies and diffently not the schools.



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