How a small donkey became the unlikely hero of the first Christmas story
In short: The 2017 animated film The Star reimagines the Nativity through the eyes of the animals who witnessed it. Featuring a star-studded voice cast, this biblical retelling follows Bo, a young mill donkey who escapes his life of labor to join a royal caravan, only to find a greater purpose.
The Star, directed by Timothy Reckart, offers a unique perspective on the Nativity of Jesus by centering the narrative on a group of animals. The story follows Bo, a young donkey who dreams of joining a royal caravan to escape his mundane life at a mill. His path crosses with Mary and Joseph, leading him to protect them from a sinister hunter sent by King Herod to eliminate the newborn Messiah. Alongside a dove named Dave and a sheep named Ruth, Bo finds himself at the heart of a historical event he initially did not understand.
Development of the project began as early as the late 1990s with the Jim Henson Company, drawing inspiration from the 1995 film Babe. By September 2014, producer DeVon Franklin collaborated with Sony Pictures Animation to bring the faith-based story to life. Originally titled The Lamb, the film underwent several changes before its final release in November 2017. The production team aimed to fill a perceived void in the market for Christmas films that focused specifically on the Nativity story.
The film features an extensive ensemble cast, including Steven Yeun as Bo, Gina Rodriguez as Mary, and Zachary Levi as Joseph, with Oprah Winfrey voicing Deborah, one of the three wise men's camels. Produced on a budget of $20 million, it grossed $63 million worldwide. While critics provided mixed reviews, the film earned a Golden Globe nomination for its original song by Mariah Carey. The animation, handled by Cinesite Studios, began in January 2017, culminating in a story that blends traditional biblical themes with an imaginative, animal-led perspective on the birth of Jesus.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Star (2017 film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-the-star-2017-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Animated series & cartoons · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
