Inside 'The Nativity Story' – Film’s sacred subject draws cast, crew

Catholic.org/St. Anthony's Messenger ^ | 11/28/06 | Sister Rose Pacatte

[Antoninus]

Since there's been so much interest in this very worthy film, I thought I'd post this article that contains a lot of the back story. Haven't seen it posted anywhere else on FR, so I hope it's not a duplicate post.

I saw the movie last night and thought it was excellent. 8 stars out of 10. I'll definitely be buying it when the DVD comes out. It's one that we'll watch with the kids every year around Christmas time.

[Antoninus]

Ping!

[sitetest]

Thanks for the ping!

[Alex Murphy]

Fr. Angelo Mary Geiger of the Franciscans of the Immaculate in the United States, points out that the film, which opened December 1, misinterprets scripture from a Catholic perspective.

While Fr. Geiger admits that he found the film is "in general, to be a pious and reverential presentation of the Christmas mystery." He adds however, that "not only does the movie get the Virgin Birth wrong, it thoroughly Protestantizes its portrayal of Our Lady."

[Nihil Obstat]

Mike Rich wrote "The Rookie", which we liked a lot. However, the director has made some terrible movies. Thanks for your recommendation, I think we will see it this weekend.

[353FMG]

"I'll definitely be buying it when the DVD comes out."

That is, if the DVD is not taken off the shelves by CAIR and the ACLU because it is offensive to non-Christians.

[elc]

Just don't tell them what Ms. Keisha Castle Hughes as been up to in her personal life recently.

[livius]

I think you'll like it. To me, it was a sort of meditation on the early life of the Virgin, somewhat like things one might consider while praying the Rosary or doing an Ignatian meditation. It's Scripture-based, but of course with personal ideas about what might have happened or what things might have looked like.

It gives an excellent picture of life was like for a 1st century Jew in that area, btw, and the Romans and Herod are also very well depicted. It has some beautiful scenes in it, and I liked it a lot.

[Antoninus]

Yeah, I saw that thread. Different people like different things. Different people also see blasphemy in different places. If Fr. Geiger's opinion were generally accepted by Catholics, I don't suppose the movie would have opened in Vatican City, eh?

[Antoninus]

Yeah, I saw that thread. Different people like different things. Different people also see blasphemy in different places. If Fr. Geiger's opinion were generally accepted by Catholics, I don't suppose the movie would have opened in Vatican City, eh?

[Antoninus]

Just don't tell them what Ms. Keisha Castle Hughes as been up to in her personal life recently.

You obviously didn't read the article which mentions Ms. Castle-Hughes's activities without flinching. Fortunately, for us, the movie was not "The Nativity Story of Keisha Castle-Hughes."

If I couldn't get beyond the rancid personal lives of actors, I'd never see another film. That said, I do tend to prefer movies where the actors are unknowns and not they same old Hollyweird retreads for just that reason.

[Antoninus]

I think you'll like it. To me, it was a sort of meditation on the early life of the Virgin,

Exactly. It really humanized the story which is a good thing, in my opinion. The two birth scenes actually made me cry. Having been present at the births of all my children, the notion that God humbled himself to take on flesh and be born of a woman--just like us--really hit home.

I also thought that the actor who played Joseph did a really excellent job.

And the musical score was beautiful, especially if you like Latin...

[elc]

You obviously didn't read the article which mentions Ms. Castle-Hughes's activities without flinching.
The article is where I got my information.

[Nihil Obstat]

Thanks, livius. If you liked it we will too.

Do you still have that web-site with all the info on Nativity scenes? If you do, can you post a link to it?

[Antoninus]

The article is where I got my information.

Really? In that case, your post was merely incoherent, not erroneous.

[Antoninus]

"I also surrounded myself with figurines from the crèche to visualize what I wanted to write."

Aaaacckkk! Idolatry, idolatry! /calvinist

[Antoninus]

"I also surrounded myself with figurines from the crèche to visualize what I wanted to write."

Aaaacckkk! Idolatry, idolatry! /calvinist

[elc]

You'll have to explain to me what is incoherent about not telling your kids what the young actress has been up to.

[livius]

Yes indeed:

www.SpanishNativity.com

I've been adding to it, in fact, and it also has lovely harp music, too. Enjoy!

[Antoninus]

You'll have to explain to me what is incoherent about not telling your kids what the young actress has been up to.

You didn't say "your kids." Now that you have moved on from error, to incoherence, to simple vulgarity, I would encourage you not to tell your kids what Ellen Degeneres is up to next time you let them watch "Finding Nemo."