The Star of Bethlehem

The Star of Bethlehem

12 mins | Animation, TV Movie | Dec. 1, 1956

'The Star of Bethlehem' tells the Christmas story in the style of medieval nativity plays. The Three Wise Men from the East follow the star to Bethlehem, but hostile spirits try to stop them on their journey. The King Herod fears the child in the manger, and seeks to kill it, but an angel prevents his evil intentions. The film is an example of how Lotte Reiniger has her silhouette technique enriched by coloured acetate films. The backgrounds have the vibrancy of coloured stained glass windows.

The Star of Bethlehem

12 mins | Animation, TV Movie | Dec. 1, 1956

The Star of Bethlehem
'The Star of Bethlehem' tells the Christmas story in the style of medieval nativity plays. The Three Wise Men from the East follow the star to Bethlehem, but hostile spirits try to stop them on their journey. The King Herod fears the child in the manger, and seeks to kill it, but an angel prevents his evil intentions. The film is an example of how Lotte Reiniger has her silhouette technique enriched by coloured acetate films. The backgrounds have the vibrancy of coloured stained glass windows.
IMDb rating 6.3
Producers BFI Video, Primrose Film Productions, Cathedral Films, Vision Video, Inc.
Original title The Star of Bethlehem
Directors Vivian Milroy, Lotte Reiniger
Writers Elaine Friedrich

Cast

Anthony Jacobs

as Commentary

Barbara Ruick

as Narrator (Cathedral Films adaptation)