Rating: 
Summary: 1 word: INCREDIBLE!
Review: This movie almost left me without words.... Every aspect of this film was very well made and moved me like few films have. Its 2003 and still one of the BEST movies I've ever seen in my life! (Why couldnt Ten Commandments be as good as this was???) 1 of the Few movies that deserved every Oscar it received and then some...
Rating: 
Summary: A good movie, but watered down
Review: Ben-Hur is in many ways a film of reality. It shows the laughter of childhood friends in reunion, their friends's rivalry in javelin throwing. The image of slaves pulling oars in the galleys, of their testing by the new commander to what he knows are unfair (if not cruel) levels, the sound of the drums beating the rythme for the oars and the chains which are locked before each battle, when the ship could go down--these are not fake moments. The chariot race, after the filming of which actors were buried, is intensely present with those watching.Charlton Heston plays a convincing Ben-Hur. Those who have read the Ben-Hur book, however, will find a re-created Hur throughout the movie. Filled with hate for Rome because of her demolishing of his family, Hur was orignally a man who trained under Rome's masters to gain revenge against Rome and Romans--a man who was made a rebel leader against Rome after killing a Roman officer in fair combat. In the movie, however, he is a pacifist seeking revenge. The paradox is admirably dealt with, but while book and movie conclude similarly, some power is lost in the rewriting. The original plot is present, but in an altered form. Many pivotal struggles were removed; many small scenes which told the most are gone. That is expected to some degree in the limited time constraints of a movie. Yet in the movie, Hur changes; he is no longer the Jew with the focused determination that he had been. He and his supporting characters are weaker--though I say it say with hesitation, for the movie made Hur's character weaker with admirable execution. As a movie, Ben-Hur seems designed to gratify the viewer's expectations memorably. It succeeds, but not as well as it could have--and thus, Heston's acting becomes the real heroism of the film. As caution to those who are careful with regard to what they and their children view, Ben-Hur contains romance between Hur and two (rival) women. The movie's filming date (1959) will hopefully give you an idea of the type and level of romance. The action level is probably suitable from junior high and up--or younger, if the children are accustom to watching today's latest movies.
Rating:
Summary: Unsurpassed in Over Forty Years
Review: Charlton Heston plays Judah Ben Hur, a Jewish friend of a high-ranking Roman during the time of Christ. Ben Hur eventually becomes enslaved, and then a gladiator. He and his Roman friend become enemies. The chariot race at the end is still the film scene with the most meaningful action ever produced. And, yes, I have seen "Gladiator". Both films have their slow moments, but if I had to bet on Maximus versus Ben Hur, Charlton Heston gets my money.
Rating:
Summary: EPIC
Review: Ben-Hur is a great movie. It does what so many movies and plays have tried to do and failed. It tells the story of Christ in a way people can relate. By telling the story from someone else's point of veiw of how Christ changed his life. The movie is about a Jewish prince, Judah Ben-Her(Charlton Heston), seeking revenge against his childhood friend, Roman officer Messala, for the wrongful imprissonment of his family. We follow his travels throughout the movie, and the way Christ is pivitol at the turning points in his life. Ben-Hur is not what you would call a religious movie, but instead a movie which deals with faith and destany. And the way a simple act of kindness and change a life and lives. Epic in every since of the word.
Rating:
Summary: An Epic of Dynamic Proportions
Review: One critical comment made concerning Hollywood is that the quality of movies released for the past few years has deteriorated because studio executives have sought mere personalities as opposed to true actors to headline their feature films. I somewhat agreement with this sentiment, but I am also glad that there are those in Tinseltown who have decided to restore some quality masterpieces from the past onto DVD. One of those outstanding works is the eleven-time Oscar winning 1959 rendition of the epic Ben-Hur. In this classic are top-notch performances from well-trained thespians who could make their parts come to life. Charlton Heston's portrayal of the leading character Judah Ben-Hur was truly flawless and would earn Heston an Academy Award for Best Actor. Ben-Hur, if done today, could easily be played out as a two-dimensional cardboard figure, but Heston skillfully explored and revealed many sides to this one individual. Intertwined are scenes with Ben-Hur as the following: a family man of honor, a man trying to maintain his religious faith and perspective while struggling with vengeful thoughts against one-time friend, Messala, and after the takeover of the Roman government, an embittered former proprietor who has suddenly faced despair after being stripped of birthrights and close family ties. Stephen Boyd, who played Messala, was also perfect in the movie. Like Judah Ben-Hur, Messala was, himself, portrayed as a complex character but very easily could have been done otherwise. Messala was a despicable traitor and could have been simply just that, but thanks to the brilliant screenwriting and acting, intermittent scenes revealed a Messala who remembered and once cherished Judah and his family only to, thanks to turning points that would later come about, let the promises of power and promotion destroy any sentiments affiliated with his upbringing. Throughout this movie are adverse attitudes and tones that conflict and, yet, run parallel. Ben-Hur is a character who overcomes many hardships and cruel hands of fate because he is motivated by hatred and thoughts of getting even with his former friend, Messala, who, in turn, is also a very determined man, for he is ascending up the ranks of the Roman Empire. Though he cannot project himself as becoming at least the exact ruling equivalent of a Caesar or Marcus Aurelius, Messala nonetheless sees a golden opportunity to use his somewhat subordinate status to become ultimately supreme, subordinate in the sense that he is a mere officer of the Roman Empire but supreme in the sense that he has the knowledge and charisma to potentially become the acting autocrat in Judea, a region where the most powerful in Rome are too far away to fully wield their influence. Perhaps what made the motion picture Ben-Hur such a success was the ability to complement the humanistic elements with each of the storylines that in the end would amalgamate and constitute just what an epic should be. The tasks of bringing about individuals as believable people with conflicting feelings of devotion, love, rage, revenge, and hatred were, no doubt, undaunting. However, director William Wyler had both the cast and the vision make each of these attempts such a success that it has made one ponder the following question: What is it that ultimately motivates me in life?
Rating: 
Summary: 2 Good Scenes, 2 Extra Hours of [stuff]
Review: Before watching this movie, I viewed some of the reviews for Ben Hur and saw an astounding amount of high starred reviews. So with this backup, I decided to pick up the movie and watch it. All I have to say is that it was an amazing dissapointment. First of all, I don't know what the first 15 minutes had to do with the film at all. Secondly, there was no major action until well into the movie. This action would happen to be the rowing scene. After this scene, there was another long period with no action until the chariot scene. I do have to say that there was a major sleep factor induced by this movie. Throught the last hour or so I went in and out of sleeping awakening only for the real action. I would recommend this movie for anyone looking for an in depth history of the time period, or just for someone looking for a little action and a lot of sleep.
Rating:
Summary: Two Classic Scenes, Two hours of Classic Boredom
Review: I was very disappointed with Ben-Hur. It just never grabbed me like I had thought it would. Many people talk of this movie as one of the great classic films but I just do not agree. I knew that I was not the only one having a hard time keeping mentally stimulated through this "classic" when three of the four people that were watching Ben-Hur with me were asleep at the same time. The rowing scene that eventually gives way to the sea warfar was definitely enjoyable and I think just about everyone is somewhat familiar with the chariot race. After that however, the movie is just slow and drawn out. The Story itself is actually pretty good and for the most part the acting was exellent, but there were a lot of things that could have been abbreviated. I can see why people might like this movie, but it just was not my style. I do not regret viewing it, I would actually recommend everyone to see it at least once due to the fact that it is regarded as a classic. After that however, I believe you'll also have trouble sitting through this movie for another 3 hours and 32 minutes.
Rating:
Summary: The Thinking Man's Epic
Review: Ben-Hur is one epic that really deserves the label. Big in every sense of the world, yet it manages to be intimate and personal. The story is familiar to most: the childhood friendship of a Roman and a Jew turns sour when the two meet as adults. Judah Ben-Hur is a wealthy young Jewish prince who despite his wealth cannot deny the plight of his people. Judah's belief that the Romans are killing his people destroys his friendship with Messala, now a Roman tribune. To prove his loyalty to Rome, Messala has Judah sent to the galleys as a slave, based on trumped-up charges. Judah vows revenge and is consumed with hate for Messala and Rome. His chance encounter with Jesus Christ sets him on a path he never thought he'd walk down. There is so much to admire about this film. Charlton Heston in the title role does a wonderful job portraying the title character's torment. Stephen Boyd as Messala, gives the performance of his life. There are wonderful performances from the supporting cast: Finlay Currie (Mr. Shunderson in People Will Talk) as Balthasar, Sam Jaffe as Simonides, and Hugh Griffith as Sheik Ilderim. Griffith's performance is one of the great characterizations in this film. His sheik is wonderfully human and believable. The way he interacts with his horses provide some of the film's best scenes. Jack Hawkins (Academy Award Best Supporting Actor) is stolid and dignified as Heston's adoptive father. As the love interest, Haya Harareet is believable as Esther, a slave in the service of the House of Hur, who has loved Judah from her youth. The DVD transfer is beautiful and the sound is great. It's too bad they opted for a two-sided disc instead of two. The way they've labeled the single disc, it's difficult to know which is "Side A," (the movie) and which is "Side B," (the extras). It's also unfortunate that Warner Brothers (who seems to own most of the MGM library), again used the less than wonderful cardboard packaging. Some of the extras are worth a look. Heston's commentary during the movie is fun, especially his recollections regarding the chariot race. The screen tests of Cesare Danova and Leslie Nielsen (testing for Ben-Hur and Messala respectively) are enjoyable to watch. You'll have fun noticing the zippered back of Danova's costume. The test seems to favor Danova, since Nielsen is off camera during most of their scenes. The "screen test" of Haya Harareet seems more like a costume or lighting test. There's no dialogue and what we see is a rather short head shot of the actress. All in all, Ben-Hur is one of the most enjoyable movie epics ever made. William Wyler's skill with dramatic tension and emotional impact help the storyline direct the focus of the film, rather than the special effects, which are quite amazing, even by today's computer generated standards. The chariot race between Judah and Messala, among many others, is still one of the screens great moments. I've seen it a million times, it seems, but it always seems fresh and exciting. The biblical aspect of the storyline is handled with great care and sensitivity. The change in Judah's life because of his meeting with Jesus is one of film's emotional highlights. As is the crucifixion and Judah's reunion with his mother and sister. By all means get this DVD not for the extras or the packaging, but for the sheer power of its narrative, its great performances, its epic scale, its impeccable musical score, and that incredible chariot race! Lastly, try and view this on the largest TV screen you can find. The larger the screen the bigger the impact this film will have on the viewer.
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest movies ever made
Review: I actually like this movie more than I liked the book. The story is not a direct translation from page to screen. The boys are a little older and have settled into their stations in life. The changes made the screenwriters made to the story only serve to make it more interesting and dramatic, and the cinematographers did a wonderful job, composing every shot like it was the most important of the movie. William Wyler was a very demanding director, and it is evident. This is a very tight movie, perfect in almost every way.
Rating:
Summary: Great at the beginning and in the middle
Review: I realize that the book this film is adapted from has very strong religious unpinnings but frankly the "Jesus" thing felt very "tossed in". There really isn't enough time spent on Ben Hur's character to make me very sympathic to his "spiritual" changes. The chariot sequence is probably the most often discussed and shown but the slave galley scenes are very brutal and reasonably realistic. Combine those galley scenes with the other scenes involving slaves and you'll see how varied the Roman (and Hebrew) experience of the institution was.
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