Favorite Nativity depicted on film?

Seeing it's XMAS time, how about we choose our favorite film version of the Infancy Narratives by Matthew and Luke (That is, those that are available on video or DVD)

Passion and Life of Christ (1903)
Earliest surviving film rendition of the Nativity. Scenes are described by title cards (one has to be learned in his or her Infancy Narrative to know what is shown). Segments portrayed like Renaissance paintings, with actors as angels with Halos and wings playing instruments. The Star of Bethlehem guides the shepherds as well as the Wise Men (arriving in a large caravan). Massacre of the Innocents is portrayed (though Herod is missing). An angel protects the Holy Family from Herod’s soldiers.

From the Manger to the Cross (1912)
A more coherent narrative (combining both Mary and Joseph’s viewpoints) with title cards bearing scripture quotes. This film is a more subdued rendition. Angels appear off-screen, their presence implied by light shining on the actors. Filmed on location in Palestine and Egypt (the latter nicely used in a scene of the Holy Family resting on a hill near the Sphinx and Great Pyramids). Herod is portrayed for the first time, though no Massacre of the Innocents.

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925)
Big-budget spectacle. Begins at the Joppa Gate, as Jews wander the area to be counted for the Census. First film to show Roman tyranny with scenes of soldiers robbing vendors, menacing maidens, and pushing people around. Mary and Joseph appear at the area, then trek to Bethlehem, go to the Inn, end up at a cave. The Wise Men (just three travelers), the shepherds, and the star also appear (title cards are split between regular narrative, and biblical quotes). Nativity portrayed in color for the first time (in two-color Technicolor). This is probably this writer’s favorite, helped by a majestic Carl Davis score.

Ben-Hur (1959)
First sound version of the Nativity, made into a pre-title prologue. Thus it is a shorter prologue, with Finlay Currie (as the Wise Man Balthasar) narrating scenes. Mary and Joseph (portrayed as a much younger man than the traditional old man of art) appear before a soldier to be census-counted, leading to the star in the sky and the Nativity (Like its predecessor, a shepherd announces the birth by a horn). This one comes third as my favorite, helped by Miklos Rosza’s score.

King of Kings (1961)
Made a year after Ben-Hur, this film portrays the account in a subdued, mysterious tone. No Angels (Joseph has his dream, but with no voice-over). Nicholas Ray makes a powerful tour-de-force portrait of Roman oppression with scenes of destruction and crucifixion (narrated by Orson Welles). First sound version of the Nativity to portray Herod the Great and the Massacre of the Innocents (committed here by a combination of Arab soldiers and Romans). Screenwriter Philip Yordan has Herod Antipas as a key witness to his father’s paranoia about the Christ Child. Herod’s death is also portrayed, with Antipas helping on his way. Miklos Rosza who scored Ben-Hur, composed a different piece for this version’s Nativity.

The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
George Stevens’ expensive super-production portrays the Nativity according to the Matthewian account (although it used the Lukian stable). Begins with the Wise Men coming to Herod and then to Bethlehem (filmed in Utah). Again, Antipas is a witness to his father’s demands to kill the Christ Child (and the Massacre of the Innocents has Herod’s non-Roman troops performing the deed). David Lean directed the Herod scenes, while Jean Negulesco directed the Nativity.

Gospel According to Matthew (1966)
As the title says, Pasolini’s film follows the source account (though it has the Lukian stable/cave). Portrayed in a down-to-earth manner, with homely Mary and Joseph (first sound version to deal with Joseph’s plight over the pregnant bride). The Angel is a teenager in white gown, appearing to Joseph and leading the Wise Men away from Herod (who also gets a death scene here). Probably the most violent Massacre of the Innocents (babes are killed on-screen, with a close-up of a corpse). Uses music from Bach, Prokofiev, and hymns.

Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
Perhaps the most complete portrayal of the Infancy Narratives, from the Annunciation to the Flight into Egypt. First version to portray Mary and Joseph’s betrothal and wedding, as well as the ramifications of Mary’s pregnancy (Joseph dreams of her being stoned to death). Angels appear off-screen, though they get a voice-over. First appearance of Anna, Mary’s mother, and her cousin Elizabeth. Olivia Hussey’s Mary undergoes labor, and spends the Nativity lying down. The Angel that informs the shepherds is described simply as a stranger. This one comes second in my favorites, with Franco Zeffirelli’s depiction of the Annunciation (A bright light shining on Mary with her speaking her words to something only to her view), Peter Ustinov’s paranoid Herod, and a powerful Massacre of the Innocents (with Ralph Richardson’s Simeon saying the ‘Rachel weeping for her children’ quote).

The Nativity (1978)
Television production with John Shea as a youthful Joseph and Madeline Stowe as Mary. Mary’s annunciation is again subdued, with Stowe mesmerized by a shimmering pool speaking to nothing. Subplot has Herod sending three subjects- a Roman, a Greek, and a Persian- to search around Judea to find the child (evidently they become the Wise Men). First appearance of Mary's father Joachim and cousin Zachary (appears mute). First film version to use theory that the Star of Bethlehem was actually a conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn.

Mary and Joseph: A Story of Faith (1979)
Another television production, featuring Jeff East as Joseph and Blanche Baker as Mary. The Angel’s voice is heard with a bright light. First version to portray the Angelic visit to Zachary in the temple. Interesting additions: Joseph joins Zealots, Mary’s father Joachim is crucified, Mary almost gets stoned but Joseph offers himself to be whipped instead.

The Nativity Story (2006).
Grim and gritty portrayal beginning with the Massacre of the Innocents (performed by Roman Soldiers), making the earlier events flashbacks. Mary (Kieran Castle-Hughes) is actually portrayed by a teenager. Angel appears in person. Borrows from other versions, Joseph’s nightmare of Mary getting stoned, crucifixions, Herod and Antipas working together.