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Summary: ...and God made Ben-Hur
Review: Or he told Hollywood to. My best movie of all times. Saw it as a kid, seen it as a teen, have been seeing it in my 20's till I live. It does kill you in a positive sense. It gives you a lot to live for and die for. I do bring this movie in my way of life. Call it back to our future...!
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Summary: MY ALL TIME FAVORITE FILM
Review: This film is one that needs to be brought back to the big screen on a regular basis. The acting, the sets, and the story are superbly done. My favorite scene in the whole movie is when Ben Hur, while being force marched through the scorching desert heat, ends up in Nazareth. Ben Hur is on the verge of total despair due to his unquenched thirst. He watches the Roman officers, their horses, and other prisoners being given water to drink while he is refused water by one of the officers. He collapses upon the ground and you see in his face that all hope is gone, and then all of a sudden you see someone come over to him and pour cool water on his head and begin to give him water to drink. The Roman officer who had forbidden anyone to give him water sees this person attending to Ben Hur's thirst and he barks out a command towards the person giving the water, at this time the man stands up without saying a word and looks the Roman officer in the eyes (in this scene you never see the face of the Ben Hur's helper), and you can tell by the complete change of the officer's face that he has looked into the eyes of one who, by all appearances is a poor man, and yet trancedently superior to him. Of course, the compassionate person who helps Ben Hur at his greatest time of need is Christ Jesus the Lord. There are many other powerful scenes, but this one I believe is the best.
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Summary: Bravo to Ben!
Review: Watching the beautiful restoration of "Ben Hur" on DVD makes you appreciate like never before just how much we've lost with the passage of years. During the 50s and 60s, these big spectacles of ancient Rome, Egypt, etc. were taken for granted. We all went to see them, loved them, and that was that. Now, everything is computerized, the story's are nothing, the cast are forgettable (quick, can anyone remember the name of the actress who portrayed Cleopatra in the TV mini-series?) The extras on the Ben Hur DVD can entrance you for hours or, if you're like me, you like to spread it over several days. One complaint: there's much too much time devoted to author Gore Vidal in the documentary on the making of Ben Hur. Vidal goes on and on, ad nauseum, about how he was forced to work on the script (yeah, sure, Gore, I mean, after all this was only MGM, the greatest studio in the world at that time)and how he agreed if only they would end his two-year contract. Oh, pu-leeze! Ego, thy name is Gore. One more minor quibble is that the color restoration for Ben Hur isn't as rich and vibrant as on the 5-star DVD version of "Cleopatra", another masterpiece that has finally been brought back to show a new generation of movie buffs what Hollywood used to do several times a year. Miklos Roza's scroe is beautiful. When there was a cast of hundreds, that really meant a cast of hundreds of human beings, and not computerized blurs. Now, if only someone would bring us the Five Star edition of "Gone With the Wind" and "Doctor Zhivago" to join these marvelous spectacles like Ben Hur, Spartacus, Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra, etc.
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Summary: ancient tripe
Review: this movie is a pathetic attempt at a film. true films contain drunken revelers wondering where their money went when it is ridiculously obvious that no one has left the table the money was sitting on. apparently, during the cutaway, the scenes that are not currently onscreen are frozen. welcome to spring break has this scene, and i hope you will support it instead of this charleton heston garbage.
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Summary: Crowning Glory of William Wyler
Review: The epic BEN-HUR characterises the acintillating deep focus of emotional expression while the movie has been remarkably dramatised by the Great Director "William Wyler". It can easily be regarded as the best and most honoured motion picture of all times. BEN-HUR depicts most subtle human values, sentiments and the fighting spirit as displayed during times of turmoil and upheaval. It was picturised in 1958 and the story relates to a period two thousand years back in time, however the viewers will never loose its captivating and spellbinding appeal which circumvents mankinds quintessential values, namely, hope and misery, faith and tyrrany, love and hatred, humily and cruelty, forbearance and revenge, power and morals and disease and death. The immense scope of BEN-HUR can never be under-rated, although it requires a deep insight for a keen eye to explore a most intricate play of historical drama depicted in this biblical epic.
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Summary: I can't believe my eyes!!
Review: I don't think this legendary movie needs further comments, so I want point out the astonishing quality of the DVD edition. The images are incredibly beautiful, even the dark ones. If you love the movie, you have to own this DVD edition.
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Summary: The most moving epic picture ever!
Review: "Ben-Hur" tells many stories which weave into one another to create the most gorgeous Biblical epic of our time, vividly retelling the story of the time in which Christ lived and died. These events are seen through the eyes of Judah Ben-Hur, the title character whose interaction with the unrest and confusion of these times becomes a sumptuous and highly emotional human drama from which I was unable to hold back tears. The movie's grand scale and moving storytelling, under the superb direction of William Wyler, are just the icing on this multi-faceted an breathtaking view of the time of Jesus. Our main character, Judah Ben-Hur, is deeply unsettled by the intent of the Romans to take over the small town of Judea and convert its Jewish citizens into Roman citizens, which would mean their swearing of allegiance and worship to the Emporer of Rome. His unrest is further complicated by his friendship with the tribune of the Roman Army, Messala, whom he has known since childhood. Messala hopes he can rely on Judah's support, and that his friend's influence will make for an easier transition, while the armies of the Roman empire begin filling up the city. Through sheer fate, an accident involving Judah and the new governor lands he and his family, his mother Mirriam and sister Tirzah, in the Roman prison, where Messala, who was earlier spurned by Judah in his request for support, sentences Judah to the galleys, with fates unknown for his family. Judah is forced to leave behind his family, his home, and a budding romance with his former servant Hester, with whom he visited before his arrest. His experiences in the galleys will lead him to become the adopted son of a council, a formidable rival against his nemesis in a grueling chariot race, and a strong and bold man whose devotion to his family and his love for Esther will drive him to survive any situation. The fictional aspect of this story is set against the life of Christ, which begins the movie in a glorious opening depicting His birth. We are given a small glimpse of the Three Wisemen, who will appear later in the film to interact with Judah in his return to Judea. Judah will also come to see Christ face-to-face on numerous occasions, providing us a small glimpse of the power He held over people and the good deeds he gave unto them. On a small side note, I particularly liked the way in which Christ's is never seen, adding an air of mystery to a man whose life is enshrouded in it. The history and the fiction never outweigh one another, but instead have a special way of working with one another so that we become enamored by both. Judah's experiences with Christ will further lead to his will to survive, and his segue from hardened feelings of hatred for his enemies to love for all those around him. The inevitable crucifiction, which comes in the last half hour, is a mesmerizing experience which will show the death of Christ as well as the cleansing of the world's impurities through the healing of Judah's mother and sister, who were stricken with leprocy while in prison. And the Roman empire is seen a magnificent light, especially once Judah is accepted into their circles when he saves the council's life. Human depth and emotion is also very important to this epic, and it achieves this aspect in every way possible. The relationship between Judah and his family is intensified by his fight to survive in hopes that he might, one day, be able to free them again. Once stricken with the shamed disease, the two women decide never to see him again, allowing him to think them dead. Their decision is utterly gutwrenching, so don't try holding back tears. The romance between Judah and Esther shows not only their love but their hardships and troubles, which makes it all the more convincing and enticing to watch. The interaction between Judah and Messala is intense and provides much of the movie's conflicts, and we must question why Messala would do such things to an old friend. We can relate to these characters on many levels, which allows us to identify with the movie itself. Director William Wyler sought out to make an epic out of this story, and his success in achieving this goal is spectacular and marvelous to look at. The movie's 300 grand and ominous set designs contribute to the vast and perplexing beauty of this period in time, while luxurious costumes, which were reported to be in excess of over 100,000 outfits for 8,000 extras, are meticulous and exact in detail and authenticity. The need for action is also present, which is met with a splendid sequence aboard a Roman sea vessel, which leads to a water battle, and the ever-popular chariot race which set a new standard in movie special effects in its day. To this day, this scene is intense and overflows with suspense, even when watched more than once. Music is also important, overflowing with sadness and uplifting chords which all sweep us into the movie's high-level emotion. The cast is extremely likeable and easy on the eyes, while giving us performances that breach the limits of human depth. Charlton Heston, who played Moses in another Biblical epic, really outdoes himself here with this role, bringing out all of Judah Ben-Hur's emotions, strengths, and weaknesses. Here is a very complex character whose interactions with his surroundings change his life in new and unforeseen ways, perhaps the most complex movie character in history. His nemesis, Messala, is played masterfully by Stephen Boyd, who makes Messala a perfectly crafty, pompous and deceptive enemy to match Judah. Esther is portrayed by Haya Harareet, who is subtly enticing, allowing her deep wisdom and powerful insight into Judah's actions and mind to shine through her intense physical beauty. Martha Scott and Cathy O'Donnell are Mirriam and Tirzah, on whom a major portion of the emotional depth relies on. Their performances are extremely moving and deep, as is the rest of this fabulous ensemble cast. Being one of the most incredible epics ever put to the screen, "Ben-Hur" defies all the obstacles and comes out unflawed. The story has everything going for it, and it meets all its goals through its dramatic storytelling, its powerhouse performances and epic scale and grandeur. I love movies like this, which continue to impress after multiple viewings, while also reaching for the heart and giving it a nice emotional tug. Judah is a hero for the ages, embodying everything we want in a character whose survival we wish for.
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Summary: Epic DVD for an Epic Movie
Review: Everyone knows that Ben-Hur is one of the greatest epic films of all time. The story is timeless, the acting is strong, direction is visionary, and the score is appropriately elegant. Many people have recently compared Gladiator to Ben-Hur and rightfully so. As you watch Ben-Hur, you will realize that many of the key plot points and twists match Gladiator's. Watch the chariot scene that still grips you today, and you think of The Phantom Menace's pod racing scene. Keep in mind that the story of Ben-Hur originates in the 19th century. That's how timeless and great this story is, in that movies winning Best Picture Oscars today still employ Ben-Hur's story points. As for the DVD, one will not be disappointed. They got the widescreen format perfectly proportioned to the original showing which used rare cameras to catch panoramic shots not seen today. This is a must if you want to watch Ben-Hur. If you get the chance, watch a pan-and-scan version of Ben-Hur and this DVD version. You'll not only notice the better picture/sound but also the amount of picture you miss with pan-and-scan. The difference is astonishing, and you'll wonder why you tolerated such a deprivation. The special features on the DVD are in abundance and it's appropriate for a movie of such history. There is a Charlton Heston commentary, a making of documentary (in depth and intriguing especially when discussing the chariot scene,) photo gallery, and that rare screen test featuring The Naked Gun star, Leslie Nielson as Messala. Experience Ben-Hur properly with this DVD and see where most movies today get their ideas.
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Summary: Another Great Film By Heston
Review: Who here thinks Charlton Heston is incredible? I sure do, and not just because of his hammy acting style but because of his script selection in his early days. Whether it be the Ten Commandments, Touch Of Evil or Ben Hur, "Clutch" Heston always came through. This DVD comes through big time as well, boasting an incredible variety of extras as well as one of the greatest movies of all time. If you've never seen this epic film then you are missing out on one of the most moving tales ever put onto the silver screen. Scene to see: The Chariot Race Scene, one of those things you just have to see to believe.
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Summary: The Quintessential Epic
Review: In the late 1950's MGM was in trouble financially. They desperately needed a hit that would put the studio back in the black and re-establish it as a major player. They decided to bet the ranch on Ben-Hur. They brought in William Wyler ("Wuthering Heights", "The Best Years of Our Lives", "Roman Holiday") to direct and gave him carte blanche to spend whatever it took to make the film successful. The result was the most expensive film made to that date at $50 Million (equivalent to $300 Million in today's dollars). Many of the sets took over a year to build. It was lucky the film ever was finished at all. After six months in production, they still didn't have a cast and the script by Karl Tunberg was deemed unacceptable by Wyler. Wyler brought in Gore Vidal and Maxwell Anderson ("All Quiet on the Western Front", "Death Takes a Holiday", "Key Largo") to rewrite the screenplay and they frequently were doing desperate rewrites the night before shooting. Producer Sam Zimbalist died during production. The roman ships they built for the naval battle were top heavy and capsized, so they had to build a special tank where the ships were guided by wires and held upright. An expensive 65mm camera was destroyed in a collision with a chariot. Numerous leading men were reported to have turned down the part of Ben-Hur, most notably Paul Newman, who said he didn't have the legs to appear in a tunic. Others who were considered were Rock Hudson, Burt Lancaster, and Kirk Douglas. Wyler couldn't find the right actor for the lead, so he turned to Charlton Heston, with whom he had done the film "The Big Country", the year before. Heston accepted the part and the rest is history. Despite all its production problems, the film is brilliantly done and stands as an archetype of film epics. The sets and costumes are glorious, the direction superb and the acting compelling. The chariot race is an outstanding orchestration of set construction, stunt work and filming that is superlative even by today's standards. Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd did almost all their own chariot driving, using stuntmen for only the most dangerous stunts. This lent greater realism to the scenes, allowing more close-ups during the intense action. Somehow, despite all the rewrites using three different writers, the story flowed smoothly to its final resolution. The bitter rivalry between Judah and Messala, boyhood friends turned enemies by Messala's ambition, is well conceived and creates a sense of purpose that makes the ultimate confrontation as powerful as it is inevitable. The entire cast is terrific. Charlton Heston gives a career performance as Judah Ben-Hur. His combination of strength, courage, compassion and perseverance creates an attractive and heroic character that few in film history have been able to equal. Stephen Boyd is also fantastic as Messala, with a ruthless ambition and a cold heart that stamps out lifelong friendships for personal gain. Jack Hawkins and Hugh Griffith lead a wonderful supporting cast. This film is one of the most honored epics ever made. It was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won 11 including Best Picture, Best Actor (Charlton Heston), Best Supporting Actor (Hugh Griffith), Best Director (William Wyler), and Best Music. It is number 72 on AFI's top 100 of the century. The chariot race is one of the most exciting sequences ever filmed. I rated it a 10/10. They don't come much better than this.
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