A new Christmas movie about Jesus’ birth is slated to be released in early November. But it will be no ordinary Christmas movie — it tells the story of Jesus’ birth from the animals’ perspective.

The Star is about a donkey named Bo, who breaks free from his life at a mill to find his purpose and destiny. Along the way he meets animals like Ruth, a sheep who has lost her flock, and Dave, a dove. The three, along with camels and stable animals, follow the Star to the stable.

A Story Nobody’s Told Before

“That’s a story that nobody has told before,” director Timothy Reckart recently told Faithwire. “We’re calling it the greatest story never told.” Sony Pictures Animation is producing the movie.

The bar has been raised recently for faith-driven films. “We wanted it to be as good as the field is. The difficulty in dealing with a scriptural thing is finding a way to get a solid three-act structure, an emotional through line and comedy and adventure that may not necessarily be there in the biblical story without tampering with the biblical story.”

Telling the story from the point of view of the animals gives them the creative license they need for the movie, he explained.

The Star “captures the genesis of the Christmas season … and so much of our faith,” said executive director DeVon Franklin. It includes scenes about the census, Joseph’s concern about marrying Mary, the wise men and others well-known to Christians.

The movie has lessons for viewers, too, added Franklin. Just like Bo, there’s a greater purpose for us to pursue. “We all have a destiny, a calling or a purpose … [often] we don’t realize how it is all working towards it,” said Franklin. “That’s what’s kind of great about Bo’s journey.”

The impressive cast includes actors Kelly Clarkson, Kristin Chenoweth, Patricia Heaton, Kris Kristofferson, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Tracy Morgan and Christopher Plummer. The Star will be released nationwide November 10.