I have recorded this documentary when it was shown on the ARTE TV chain during the Christmas period and have seen it only now. I really liked it, it was a very pleasant surprise in an area where surprises happen really seldom.
The informational part of this documentary is fair, and may not bring too many revelations. We are being told about the biblical sources, about the very scarce traces of historical information, about the astronomical theories around the origin of the star of Bethlehem, and the characters of the story and their interpretation. Good information but nothing groundbreaking here. What is really different is the cinematography and the way the actors playing the reincarnation of the historical characters are filmed. I am no fan of using actors in historical documentaries, I prefer documents and intelligent commentaries, but here enacting works, as historical artifacts simply do not exist, and because the selection of the actors physiognomies and the very slow rendition of their act creates a sensation of work of art which actually fits very well with the various pieces of art dedicated to the theme, also well chosen and tastefully filmed.
Overall this documentary which will certainly make it in the holidays TV programs for many years shows more than it initially promises.
The informational part of this documentary is fair, and may not bring too many revelations. We are being told about the biblical sources, about the very scarce traces of historical information, about the astronomical theories around the origin of the star of Bethlehem, and the characters of the story and their interpretation. Good information but nothing groundbreaking here. What is really different is the cinematography and the way the actors playing the reincarnation of the historical characters are filmed. I am no fan of using actors in historical documentaries, I prefer documents and intelligent commentaries, but here enacting works, as historical artifacts simply do not exist, and because the selection of the actors physiognomies and the very slow rendition of their act creates a sensation of work of art which actually fits very well with the various pieces of art dedicated to the theme, also well chosen and tastefully filmed.
Overall this documentary which will certainly make it in the holidays TV programs for many years shows more than it initially promises.
