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The Nativity Story
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Metascore
52 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    80
    Unfolds in a scrupulously accurate historical adventure story that depicts the world of Jesus' birth with an exciting you-are-there verisimilitude.
  2. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Stephanie Zacharek
    60
    I have to hand it to Hardwicke: I was a lot less bored by The Nativity Story than I feared I'd be.
  3. Slate
    Reviewed by: Dana Stevens
    30
    Fatuous, sappy, and dull.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 4 out of 22
  1. ellab
    10
    Grace is a quiet poetry that Catherine Hardwicke puts into pictures. The surprise is in the tremendously nuanced portrayals by Castle-Hughes and Issac (Mary and Joseph). To portray holier-than-thou icons with humanity and vulnerability is a brave and remarkable choice. Perhaps bolder than the Passion, where doubt is absent and the cinematic draw of epic violence over the emotional accessibility of the every-man leap of faith that we forget that we are all capable of each day in our choices of who we love, how we parent, how we choose to conduct ourselves each day. Kudos to the filmmakers for not selling out for a Hollywood high-octane version of a story that has its grace and its power in the daring of humble, real people with humor and fear to make a choice based on their faith, and not on glory. I hope that the subtlety of what a powerful choice the respect for the characters bravery and not cinematic spectacle is not lost on the audience. In my afternoon screening, I saw men and women look to the screen with tears in their eyes, and I hope the film inspires many to trust the quiet srength of the individual that is all but lost in our lives barraged with violence and information. It is an island of peace and hope in an ocean of self-doubt and self-obsession. See for yourself.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. Brendan
    5
    With good scenery, good costumes and a classic story it had everything right but was a little below par. The Nativity Story had some dramatic scenes but it missed that unexplained edge that makes you feel for the characters. One reason for this though was that for one reason or another Mary didn't show any emotion. You waited for her to be strong, cry, smile something but no, a frown never left here face and it was almost frustrating. This and other things didn't help the story move along and in the end it very much tilted to the boring side. Someone who is very religious however may find it to be remarkable and breathtaking.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. JerryA.
    3
    What a bad movie!!! the bad acting was so evident, they needed to hire better actors, and maybe than i would only raise my grade to a 4, because this is about the 100th time another christmas movie about Jesus has come out.… Expand
    • 0 of 1 users said yes

See all 22 User Reviews

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