The Nativity

This was great stuff. It was delighted to stumble across this BBC mini series from 2010 over the course of the festive break.

It's a really clever idea to reimagine the story that we've seen and heard told in so many different ways but from a modern (well, 2010) approach.

It's written by Tony Jordan of EastEnders fame too, so that's another mark of quality.

The characters have never been so engaging or relatable, and that's no bad thing.

This is well written and well performed drama, that just happens to be a retelling of The Nativity.

It does rather rush its final episode though, but other than that this was great.

Three stories connected to the virgin birth from 1 year before. Thomas the shepherd from Bethlehem is struggling. The three Magi are debating then traveling to the birth. And in Nazareth, Joseph starts a new life with Mary.

The biblical story is given a more complex reading. What would happen to Mary if she becomes pregnant without Joseph? She is shunned by the town and most importantly by Joseph. Her father is able to convince Joseph to take Mary to Bethlehem where they hoped Mary would be able escape the shame. But even there, her shame is well known and she is turned away.

That adds much more humanity to the story. And I think it adds more drama. Tatiana Maslany do a good job. If they could get to the pregnancy earlier, it would make it even more compelling.

I have seen 2 versions of this story and this is the better one. We all know the story of the birth of Jesus which is a burden on filmmakers. Because we know the story they still have to make an entertaining film and not bore the audience. They also have to be accurate. With all these built in expectation they were able to deliver a film that should please most people.

Even if don't believe the story of the birth of Jesus this is still a film you will enjoy. It moves quickly and it also gives you a since of what life was like for people 2000 years ago. The casting is excellent. Nobody is miscast. Everyone behaves how you expect them to behave in the situations that they are in.

I think most people should watch this film. If gives you a since that you "Must Have Faith". Without "Faith" is like having "No Air"

Well Done! I will watch this again.

A modern version that makes too many compromises to be effective. Some very impactful moments in the real Bible story are left out. The host of angels when the shepherds are approached is an example. Another example, Joseph did NOT see his dream as just a bad dream. He was completely changed by it! For the better! Joseph's attitude towards Mary was completely 180'd after that dream! And I agree with another reviewer, too many liberties with the wise men and the cheesy alignment of planets bit. This is a ho hum, non-miraculous version of a story full of miracles. There are much better modern versions out there.

If you are going to attempt to create a series based on Biblical stories, at least open your Bible and read it, study the culture of the Jewish people during that era, and have at least a basic understanding of the religion! This was the absolute worst attempt at casting I have ever seen. The actors and actresses from Mary to Thomas were badly cast with people not even remotely interesting, and belonged in a Hollywood movie from the 60s not a Jewish/Christian movie about the birth of Christ. This was an epic fail from the movie set to the costumes. I was turned off within the first 30 minutes! If I could have given this series zero stars I would have done so, but I was forced to give it an undeserving 1 star.