Best movie ever!

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

A very nice cast was assembled for this fictional story about a fourth Wise Man who missed the birth of Jesus. Martin Sheen plays the fourth Magi who just seems to be missing running into the prophesied Messiah.Some other obligations prevented Sheen as Artaban the fourth Wise Man from making the journey to Bethlehem where the other three Balthazar, Caspar, and Melchior viewed the post birth at the stable. When Sheen goes accompanied by his faithful and grumbling servant Alan Arkin the family just left and in time before the Romans come in on that genocidal mission from Herod to kill all the babies there. Before he leaves Sheen manages to save one of them.Then its off to Egypt where the holy family is bound for. But as the gospels give scant information about Jesus's growing up we've got a lot of room for fiction. He misses the child again, but instead Sheen helps out a colony of beggars become a self sufficient tribe. And as a Magi he's got some gifts of healing, no miracles to be sure, but the kind of stuff Hippocrates had researched in the ancient world.This was a life of service and well led. And before the film ends Sheen witnesses the greatest of all miracles and he's told by the highest authorities that it was a life well led.Sheen and Arkin make quite a pair, a kind of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza kind of relationship. But this Quixote tilts no windmills though he faces some long odds at times.This is a good religious film, not overly preachy, but it's point about making your life count on earth is well made.

This is one great story, well played. It is obvious the budget wasn't huge, which is not surprising since it is a TV movie. But still, it's worth watching.Unlike many Christian movies, there is no sugar added. This movie doesn't tell us we will be successful if we follow Jesus. The protagonist doesn't pray to win a baseball tournament, he doesn't pursue success. He just wants to see Jesus.Set in ancient world, the story starts about a year before Jesus was born. A magus named Artaban sees a star that foretells the advent of the King of Kings. He sets on a long journey, helped by his slave Orontes. He takes precious gifts with him as well. But we all know only three magi made it to Bethelem the night Jesus was born, leaving Artaban struggling.

This made-for-TV movie turned out to be much better than I anticipated, thanks to the two main characters, played by top actors, and a very thought-provoking message.This is a fictional Biblical story, but one that leaves one reflecting about ourselves, regarding where our hearts lie, and the importance of helping our fellow man. Martin Sheen plays the "fourth wise man" or fourth Magi who knew about the upcoming birth of The Messiah, like the three who did make it to see baby Jesus in Bethelem.Unfortunately, "Artaban," as he was named, got sidetracked en route. He kept running into people in need and he helped each one by giving them the gifts he was intending for Christ. This went on for years, until he finally meets Jesus, at the cross.He is accompanied by Alan Arkin's pessimistic servant "Orontes," who plays off Sheen's optimistic character with humorous results.To those who are repelled by any Biblical implications, this movie is simply an old-fashioned story more about giving, helping others out who are in need, than anything else....and if that's offensive to you, God help you!

I had never had the PLEASURE to see this film until now. Although, as the previous comment mentioned, this film suffered from a small budget, it was spectacular. Although the Bible never records that there were three wise men, or that Christ was born on December 25 (history shows that he was NOT), this film delivers a POWERFULL message to believers and non-believers alike. Even if one does not subscribe to Christian doctrine, I submit that this film will deliver a powerful message. Basically, to sumarize (without spoiling the film) this film is about one mans lifelong journey to seek the Christ, and in the end he is rewarded. It took him ALL of his life, and he gave up everything. Although the ending could be called "cliche," it really is a marvelous piece of work. My words are not sufficient to stress enough the amazing piece of work that this film is. I give it 2 thumbs up!