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Overlooked Specials 4th Day of Christmas

4th Day of Christmas:
The Nativity Story
Whether you’re Christian or not, this is a movie you should check out. While there have been tellings of the nativity story, this film may be the first to solely focus on it. And not only that, but it places the story in a historically realistic context not shying away from dirtier truths of the period that you won’t find in the Gospel. Like Joseph nearly stoning Mary for apparent adultery and the hardships of a journey across Mid-East terrain. It grounds the story which allows you to invest in its more fantastical tenets. Keisha Castle-Hughes and Oscar Isaac are very good as Mary and Joseph, as is the supporting cast including Alexander Siddig and Ciaran Hinds. I love how mere figures from the story like the Wise Men and Zechariah are given character. And the cinematography is tremendous, particularly when it gets to show off this unique climate. It’s perhaps the best take on this very old story.
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