Nativity! (film)

Nativity! is a 2009 British Christmas comedy film directed by Debbie Isitt and released on 27 November 2009 and the first installment in the Nativity film series. The film stars Martin Freeman and Ashley Jensen. The film was written by its director, Debbie Isitt, but was also partially improvised. The film premiered on 23 November 2009 in the SkyDome Arena, Coventry, England.
It was released in cinemas on 27 November 2009. The film was followed by Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger (2012), Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey? (2014), and Nativity Rocks! (2018).
Plot
Paul Maddens is a teacher at St Bernadette's Catholic primary school in Coventry. Paul once had ambitions of being successful as an actor, producer or director. Every year St Bernadette's competes with Oakmoor, a local Protestant private school, to see who can produce the best nativity play.
Paul hates Christmas because his girlfriend at drama school, Jennifer Lore, broke up with him at Christmas. The headteacher, Mrs Bevans, tasks him with running their nativity play this year, and gives him a new teaching assistant named Mr Poppy, who turns out to be more of a child than the students.
Paul's rival from drama school, Gordon Shakespeare, runs the nativity plays at Oakmoor. Determined not to be seen as a failure, Paul lies to Shakespeare about how a Hollywood producer, Jennifer, will be turning his production into a Hollywood film (though he hasn't spoken to her in five years). Mr Poppy overhears this and is so excited that he spreads the story to the press. Paul finds his lie is out of control, and all he can do is go along with it as media attention mounts and the children get very excited.
The children are nowhere near as talented as the Oakmoor students, and Paul has little confidence in their abilities. The enthusiastic Mr. Poppy helps him and the class to create an energetic, interesting nativity which showcases all of the children's unique (and often strange) talents.
Paul tries to contact Jennifer to make the lie come true, even travelling to America to persuade her to visit. It turns out that she is only the secretary to a film producer, and he returns home disappointed.
Amid continuing media attention and the Mayor's kind offer to allow the play to be performed in the historical ruins of Coventry Cathedral, Mrs Bevans discovers that the Hollywood story was a lie and cancels the play, advising Paul to start looking for another job. Paul shouts at Mr Poppy about everything going wrong, but comes to his senses when facing his disappointed class and decides that the show must go on.
The play is performed at the cathedral to an audience of the children's parents and family friends. The production is amazingly good, to the surprise of everyone involved. Halfway through, Gordon climbs on stage to tell everybody that there is nobody from Hollywood there and the entire story was a lie. Luckily, a helicopter flies over and Mr Poppy declares that it's Hollywood arriving; the show continues, and Jennifer and her producer indeed appear at the back to watch. Paul joins them and, still in love, kisses Jennifer. The play ends with everyone, including Gordon and Mrs Bevans (who has a change of heart), reunited onstage to celebrate the children's success.
As the film closes, Paul and Jennifer are shown decorating his house together for Christmas, reunited at last.
Cast
Martin Freeman as Paul Maddens, a primary school teacher trying to produce and direct a nativity play that will for once outdo a rival school.
Marc Wootton as Desmond Poppy, nephew of Mrs Bevan and immature classroom assistant.
Jason Watkins as Gordon Shakespeare, a private primary school teacher and long-time rival of Paul.
Ashley Jensen as Jennifer Lore, formerly a Hollywood secretary and Paul's girlfriend at the end of the film.
Alan Carr as Patrick Burns, critic.
Ricky Tomlinson as The Mayor.
Pam Ferris as Mrs Patricia Bevan, the headmistress of St. Bernadette's Primary School.
Clarke Peters as Mr Parker, a Hollywood director, Jennifer's boss during her time at Hollywood.
Geoffrey Hutchings as Father Tom.
Rosie Cavaliero as Miss Rye.
Mr. Maddens' Class
Mr. Shakespeare's Class
Mollee Allen as Cleo
Adeste McLeod as Grace
Ben Wilby as Bob
Anna Price as Ellen
Bernard Mensah as TJ
Arun Nahar as Jake
Brandon McDonald as Oli
Bessie Cursons as Christy
Cadi Mullane as Crystal
Bethany Carter as Daisy
Caitlin Cronin as Lucy
Charlie Dixon as Thomas
Dominic McKernan as Dan
Cherie Ng as Nicola
Ellie Coldicutt as Beth
Eleanor Bonas as Rachel
Faye Dolan as Jade
Francesca York as Caroline
James Warner as Buddy
Freddie Watkins as Sebastian
Jake Pratt as Alfie
Georgina Owen as Emily
Joe Lane as Edward
Hannah Ciotknowski as Elizabeth
Joshan Patel as Bill
Harriet Kilner as Charlotte
Krista Hyatt as Becky
Hayley Downing as Victoria
Maeve Dolan as Sam
Imogen Stern as Phoebe
Michael McAuley as William
Katie Maguire as Megan
Milly Webb as Neve
Katie Stafford as Molly
Morgan Brennan as Charlotte
Lauren Downing as Joanne
Rebecca Maguire as Saffron
Lily-Rose Sharry as Lynette
Reece Stowe as Fraser
Michael Brown as Charles
Rhyannon Jones as Alice
Molly Burton as Catherine
Sam Tott as Matt
Mi Tuulikki Kelly as Lorna
Sydney Isitt-Ager as Sadie
Safiya Asharia as Sophie
Thomas McGaritty as Zack
Salim Zayyan as Percival
Oscar Steer as Auditionee
Behrad Koohy as Harry
Harvey Flanagan as Tyrese
Chris Reynolds as Freddy
Production
The film was first announced in August 2008, when it was announced Martin Freeman would star. Principal photography began in the same month.
Box office
When released in the United Kingdom, the movie opened at #5, taking £794,314 at the box office in the United Kingdom. In its third week, the movie rose to #4, and in the end made £5,187,402.
Sequels
Nativity! 2: Danger in the Manger
Nativity! 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?
Nativity! Rocks!
Stage musical
Main article: Nativity! The Musical
On 17 November 2016, it was announced that the film will be adapted into a stage musical, with it making its world premiere at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in October 2017, before touring to Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, Manchester Palace Theatre, Plymouth Theatre Royal, Eventim Apollo, and Leeds Grand Theatre over the Christmas season. It was written and directed by Debbie Isitt, with music by Isitt and Nicky Ager, choreography by Andrew Wright and design by David Woodhead.
It was produced by Jamie Wilson, Entertainment One, Ramin Sabi, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
References[edit]
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^ UK Film Council - UK Box Office: 12 - 14 February 2010
External links[edit]
Nativity! on IMDb
Nativity! at British Comedy Guide
Official website
Category:2009 films
Category:2000s films
Category:Christmas films
Category:British films
Category:Entertainment One films
Category:Films starring Pam Ferris
Category:Films starring Martin Freeman
Category:Films starring Alan Carr
Category:Live Action films