0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Your tax is late. Take it in meat. - No, please! I'm...
0:00:06 > 0:00:09I've heard the Magi talk of a new King in Israel.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12- Sire, who could possibly threaten you?- It's not safe.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16- What if Herod or the Romans attack our convoy?- The Magi must be there.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18You are blessed amongst women.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21- You carry the son of God!- Joseph!
0:00:21 > 0:00:25- He is a good man. He will care for you and the child.- Mary!
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Sweet Joseph.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13What must you think of me?
0:01:18 > 0:01:21There are things I have to tell you.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24What could that be?
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Things aren't what they seem.
0:01:30 > 0:01:31So you're not pregnant?
0:01:33 > 0:01:37You've stolen a melon from the market and hidden it under your dress?
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- No. I am pregnant.- Then everything's exactly as it seems!
0:01:42 > 0:01:43Please listen to me!
0:01:45 > 0:01:47I'll go... You'll never see me again,
0:01:47 > 0:01:51but don't you even want to hear what I've got to say?
0:01:51 > 0:01:53I'm not asking you to change how you feel,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57not even to understand, but just to let me explain as best I can!
0:01:57 > 0:01:59You at least owe me that.
0:02:00 > 0:02:01Joseph!
0:02:07 > 0:02:09I'm all right.
0:02:09 > 0:02:10Go.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Who is he?
0:02:15 > 0:02:16Who?
0:02:17 > 0:02:19The father.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22There isn't one.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Not in the way you mean.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- What?- I haven't betrayed you.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29For God's sake, Mary, you're pregnant. I know it isn't mine!
0:02:29 > 0:02:31This isn't my doing.
0:02:32 > 0:02:33You were raped?
0:02:35 > 0:02:36No. No.
0:02:37 > 0:02:38Then what?!
0:02:39 > 0:02:41A messenger came to me!
0:02:41 > 0:02:43- What?- From God.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47- Wait...!- The messenger, he told me I would bear a son,
0:02:47 > 0:02:51that the holy spirit would enter me and give me a child.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55- This is what you wanted me to listen to?- It's the truth!
0:02:55 > 0:03:00- I'm still a virgin!- You're saying that a messenger came from God and told you that you'd bear a son?
0:03:01 > 0:03:03- Yes.- While you were in Judah?
0:03:04 > 0:03:06No, before I left.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10- Before you left! You didn't think to mention it?- I tried, but I couldn't find the words!
0:03:10 > 0:03:14I was frightened and confused. And he also talked about my cousin.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17That's why I had to see her, to be sure.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20You're carrying God's son?
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Yes.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29- Or is the truth that you went to Judah, had too many glasses of wine and ended up in bed with someone?- No!
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Then you're not pious Mary everybody thinks you are,
0:03:31 > 0:03:38- that despite being betrothed, you've been whoring yourself in Judah! - Joseph, please!- Please what?!
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Believe you're a virgin and are carrying God's child?
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Or forgive your whoring?
0:03:43 > 0:03:48- What I told you is the truth!- So it's not enough that you betray me,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50you want me to look like a fool as well?
0:03:50 > 0:03:53I haven't betrayed you.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56I loved you.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31I know what you think of me.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37You said this child wasn't Joseph's, was that the truth?
0:04:39 > 0:04:40- Yes.- You're sure?
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- He didn't pressure you into saying this?- No.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47What I told you was the truth.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49What you have done is bad enough,
0:04:49 > 0:04:54but at least be honest about it instead of inventing this stupid story.
0:04:54 > 0:04:55It's not a story!
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Of everyone in the whole world,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02I thought that you'd be the one person who would believe me.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07You've broken your mother's heart.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09I know.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Will Joseph stand by you?
0:05:15 > 0:05:17I can't blame him.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21He's a good man and you've humiliated him.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Then I will do this on my own.
0:05:54 > 0:05:55Herod's border.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00He will expect us to seek an audience to state our business.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04But invite us to his palace, we could be there for days. Time is pressing enough as it is.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07We can't cross the border without asking Herod's leave.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10But we're here to see Balaam's star, not indulge in petty politics.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- So what do we do? - We do what we set out to do.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16We move on.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Ride!
0:06:41 > 0:06:43Sire.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46If it's news from Rome, I have no interest.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49The census is costing me a fortune.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53People can't pay their taxes while they're travelling.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57Magi caravan crossed the border this morning.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Have they sought an audience?
0:07:00 > 0:07:04No, sire. But their course will bring them to Jerusalem.
0:07:04 > 0:07:05Without my permission?
0:07:05 > 0:07:07Appears so.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Then send the army to teach them some manners.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18They hold a great influence, sire. It might not be wise to offend them.
0:07:18 > 0:07:19They offend me!
0:07:19 > 0:07:23Then perhaps I should go and meet them.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- Ask them to state their business. - Then do it quickly!
0:07:26 > 0:07:30And if there's a conspiracy, I want it crushed!
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Strew their carcasses across the desert.
0:07:37 > 0:07:38Sire.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44I have a sick wife, a baby, and a father to feed,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46and yet they leave me with nothing!
0:07:46 > 0:07:49They will be judged by God.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51And in the meantime, I watch my family starve?
0:07:51 > 0:07:53God will provide.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56My whole life, I've heard the same thing,
0:07:56 > 0:08:00yet seen nothing to convince me that it's true.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02You must believe that,
0:08:02 > 0:08:06as God's chosen people, he will come to our aid.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08But God also says...
0:08:08 > 0:08:10an eye for an eye.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12So why can't we fight back?
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Because we can't fight the whole Roman empire.
0:08:16 > 0:08:17Why not?
0:08:17 > 0:08:21Even if there were a thousand Romans to every one of us,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24if God is really on our side, then how could we lose?
0:08:25 > 0:08:29Wouldn't that be a real test of faith?
0:08:31 > 0:08:35God will show us the way. The Messiah...
0:08:35 > 0:08:36Your Messiah!
0:08:37 > 0:08:40How many Jews will be left to see him?
0:09:08 > 0:09:09Whore!
0:09:09 > 0:09:10Stop it!
0:09:13 > 0:09:17- You don't belong!- Stop it!
0:09:17 > 0:09:20ALL SPEAK OVER ONE ANOTHER
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Help us! Please!
0:09:42 > 0:09:43You'll have to leave.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- At least let my mother stay. - No, you mustn't go out there!
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- This is the house of God. - They'll stone her to death!
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Please let us stay here.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59This is no place for an adulteress.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- I want to leave.- But the people... They're still outside.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- Then let them do as they will. - Please!
0:10:09 > 0:10:11In the name of God!
0:10:14 > 0:10:16She's my child.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22You can leave the back way.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41Joseph?
0:10:42 > 0:10:44You're leaving.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46I have to register for the census.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Will you come back?
0:10:50 > 0:10:51I don't know.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55I have family in Bethlehem.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03I have to ask you something.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07I know I have no right, but I ask it anyway.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12You don't even need to ask. You and Anna have been good to me. I'll set the betrothal aside in private.
0:11:12 > 0:11:13I won't see her stoned.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Thank you.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23Mary was attacked in the town today.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I don't know how I can protect her.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29This is none of your doing.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31I bear you no ill will.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Has she told you who the father is?
0:11:44 > 0:11:48Forgive me, but there's something else I need to ask of you.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Anna and I have been talking.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55It's not safe for Mary to stay here,
0:11:55 > 0:11:57not any more.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03Even without you making a charge against her, the mob would still see her stoned.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06And how much worse will it be...
0:12:06 > 0:12:09when the child is born?
0:12:09 > 0:12:11I don't see what I can do.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13- You could take her with you.- What?
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Just give her safe passage to Bethlehem.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20Then once we know she's safe, we can work out what to do for the best.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22If people see you leave together, it might...
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- You've no right to ask this of me! - I know.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30And I wouldn't ask if I could think of another way.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35I'll pay you.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37I don't want your money!
0:12:37 > 0:12:39She's still my daughter!
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Please.
0:14:03 > 0:14:04Take care of her.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09I'll make sure she gets to Bethlehem safely. Then she's on her own.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Look! Listen to this. Consider this.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Riders are coming!
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- I am Nicolaus of Damascus, envoy of King Herod.- Welcome.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- He asks you to state your business. - We are Magi.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Not even Magi cross borders without paying their respects to their host.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20We study the stars, they determine our destination.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22So, what should I tell the King?
0:15:22 > 0:15:24That we had manners enough to offer you
0:15:24 > 0:15:27food and drink before your journey back.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15Your work must be important to bring you so far from home.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19All our work is important. There is much to learn from the stars.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Some say you can foretell the future.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Certain alignments can foretell events, but the nature of them...
0:16:26 > 0:16:28that's far from clear.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Which alignment brings you to Judaea?
0:16:31 > 0:16:35- Do you study astronomy?- I take an interest in a great many things.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37My own people, the Greeks,
0:16:37 > 0:16:43believe the conjunction of stars heralds the birth of great leaders.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45Then your countrymen must be wise, indeed.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49You still haven't told me which alignment brings you here.
0:16:50 > 0:16:51There are many.
0:16:51 > 0:16:57- Are none more special, none more significant, than the others?- No.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59And yet you travel a thousand miles.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03Well, we often travel far in search of clearer skies, new stars.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06The pursuit of wisdom cannot be measured in miles.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11No. Well, let us hope the Jews do not hear of your journey.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- It may give them hope.- Why?
0:17:15 > 0:17:20They have been waiting a very long time for the God of Abraham to send them a great leader.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23They call him the Messiah,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26a new king of the Jews.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30But ones so learned as yourselves must have heard of this prophecy, surely?
0:17:30 > 0:17:33We know of many prophecies.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35And yet you come to Judea.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- We simply follow the stars.- Hah.
0:17:38 > 0:17:39So you said.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44It's a strange belief, even for the Jews.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48The Messiah, born of a virgin no less.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Raised in the city of David.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55As you say, it's a strange belief,
0:17:55 > 0:17:57- even for the Jews.- Indeed.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01So, what shall I tell the king of your plans?
0:18:01 > 0:18:05That we intend to return to Babylonia once we have rested.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08You don't intend to enter Jerusalem?
0:18:08 > 0:18:10No.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15The king would be pleased to see you at the palace before you leave.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17Thank him for his hospitality,
0:18:17 > 0:18:21but as our time here is so brief, we don't wish to inconvenience him.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27As you wish.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Should you find anything of significance,
0:18:40 > 0:18:42the King would be happy to hear of it.
0:18:42 > 0:18:43Of course.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56- They're gone.- You kicked me! - Quiet, or I'll kick you again!
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Why did you tell him we weren't going into Jerusalem?
0:18:58 > 0:19:02I should have realised that Herod must know about the Messiah.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04He must fear him above all others.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Not being born a Jew,
0:19:08 > 0:19:10he must know that...
0:19:10 > 0:19:13the people rise around such a man.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16Do you think that's it? That's what the stars foresee?
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- The coming of this messiah? - Yes, I do.- You knew all along.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24That's what you were talking about, the bridge between Heaven and Earth.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27It's more than a bridge perhaps.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34There are some who believe that the Jewish messiah will be more than a man.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37That he will be God himself...
0:19:37 > 0:19:39in human form.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44And you? What do you believe?
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Get the charts.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51I've asked myself that question
0:19:51 > 0:19:55for every one of the thousand miles we've travelled.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59Now...
0:19:59 > 0:20:02you saw Jerusalem as the centre of the alignment...
0:20:05 > 0:20:07..but, look, project the line.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11As the stars merge they will slow down, taking the alignment
0:20:11 > 0:20:14away from Jerusalem to the south and west.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- Bethlehem.- David's city!
0:20:20 > 0:20:24The prophecy says that the Messiah will be born in the city of David.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27It's there we will learn our answers.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39The Magi ride a thousand miles to look at the stars.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42They seemed to be intrigued by a certain alignment, sire.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45What kind of alignment?
0:20:45 > 0:20:46They didn't say.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48I won't have them in Jerusalem.
0:20:48 > 0:20:54Before we know it, the Jews will be heralding the arrival of another damned prophet.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56The subject was raised.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00I knew it!
0:21:01 > 0:21:05They also seemed to be aware of the Jewish prophecy of the Messiah.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15- What?- The old one knew of it.- Are you saying that's why they are here?
0:21:15 > 0:21:19No, simply that the subject was raised.
0:21:19 > 0:21:25I've been plagued by tales of this new king coming to claim my throne
0:21:25 > 0:21:28since I came to this godforsaken country!
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Ignore it! No-one but the zealots believe it.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Yet the Magi travel a thousand miles, for what?
0:21:34 > 0:21:37They assured me they were leaving.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42I want them watched.
0:21:44 > 0:21:45Every step they take.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50I want to know where they go,
0:21:50 > 0:21:51who they see!
0:21:52 > 0:21:55If they do seek this new king...
0:21:57 > 0:21:59..let them lead us to him.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03That I may cut his throat myself.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Herod's soldiers are watching the camp.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52- They're waiting for us to leave. - And if we don't?- Then he will...
0:22:52 > 0:22:54He will know that we have lied.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00Even if he lets us move further into the kingdom, he will watch us
0:23:00 > 0:23:04- every step of the way, all the way to Bethlehem!- Then we must go back.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08To die in my bed...
0:23:08 > 0:23:12knowing I was this close to witnessing the day the world changed forever?
0:23:12 > 0:23:14Herod is a butcher.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18If he knew the truth, that the one thing he fears is about to happen,
0:23:18 > 0:23:24- he would send his army into Bethlehem.- We can't go back, not when we've come this far.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25We have no choice!
0:23:45 > 0:23:46Joseph!
0:24:03 > 0:24:07Blessed are You, HaShem, our God,
0:24:07 > 0:24:09King of the Universe...
0:24:10 > 0:24:13..by whose word everything comes to be.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Help us, your humble servants,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18wait patiently in the coming of the Messiah.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Look! They're going back.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Are you sure this is wise?
0:24:48 > 0:24:50We won't have any guards.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52I'll lend you a sword.
0:24:56 > 0:25:01Melchior will see what he's come to see if I have to carry him to Bethlehem on my back.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Let's go. May they watch the lights.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22Bethlehem.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24It's beautiful.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26We'll make camp for tonight,
0:25:26 > 0:25:27carry on tomorrow.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25- No!- Joseph?
0:26:28 > 0:26:31- Are you all right? - It was just a bad dream.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41You should drink.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Do you want to tell me about your dream?
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Was it about me?
0:26:58 > 0:27:01There was a man sent to defend you.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06He said you were carrying the light of the world inside you.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10A light that will shine for a thousand years.
0:27:10 > 0:27:11Did you believe him?
0:27:15 > 0:27:19My mind was telling me what I wanted to hear. Nothing more.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23And yet I can feel it,
0:27:23 > 0:27:27- the light inside me. - We'll be in Bethlehem tomorrow.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29I'll find you somewhere to stay.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39My defender in your dream...
0:27:41 > 0:27:43..his name was Gabriel...
0:27:45 > 0:27:50..and when he spoke there was such a warmth, such a feeling of love.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54As though you were in the presence of God himself.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57He told you I was carrying the Messiah.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:53 > 0:28:56E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk