Rating: 
Summary: Cynics beware!
Review: In an age where mass-produced cynicism casts a suspicious eye on virtually all aspects of life, Ben-Hur is still a masterpiece of cinema that, after all these years , has at it's center a thoughtful human drama that is still capable of resonating within the collective of human experience. Thankfully, the film doesn't allow itself to become weighted down by it's religious themes. These serve mostly as a backdrop for the film's more character-oriented narrative in which the entire range of human emotions is encapsulated. Surely this is one of the greatest movies ever made as it's longevity has bourne out over the harshest test of all: time.
Rating: 
Summary: Hold your horses, Judah
Review: There are those who think that the reputation of the 1959 movie version of Ben-Hur is a victim of its success -- that it's remembered for the chariot race, for being the biggest, the widest, the longest, etc., rather than its ambition to upgrade the historical spectacle genre into a drama of character and the clash between the ancient Roman and Jewish cultures. True enough, the film does seem to try to balance the visual dazzle with a serious sense of purpose, but succeeds in that aim only fitfully. Give the production some credit for making the effort, anyway. William Wyler, one of Hollywood's better commercial practitioners, was hired to direct. There certainly are long stretches of expository dialogue which aren't tarted up with scenery or action. They cast an unknown Israeli actress, Haya Harareet, as the female lead, which was pretty daring for a big-budget epic. (She doesn't set the screen on fire, but she holds up her end well enough, considering that the script gives her only one good line -- you'll know it when you hear it -- and somewhere in the second or third hour I found myself appreciating her.) I understand they brought in several high-class script doctors, including Gore Vidal. Vidal supposedly added a gay element to the relationship between Judah Ben-Hur and Messala, although there is no evidence of it unless you are among those who think that by definition any strong attachment of love or hatred between men must be sublimated homosexuality. In any event, the story line never rises above the serviceable, and sometimes sinks into near suspended animation. I hadn't seen Charlton Heston in a long time, and I was a bit surprised. He shows more acting technique here than I would have expected (probably Wyler deserves credit for it), but he can't carry it beyond technique. His is a completely exteriorized performance, an audio-animatronic version of suffering, revenge and love. The tedium of watching Heston is somewhat relieved by Stephen Boyd, who breathes a reasonable degree of life into the character of his nemesis, Messala. Martha Scott and Cathy O'Donnell, as Ben-Hur's mother and sister respectively, are empty vessels. The only performance you can really savor is by Jack Hawkins, as an aristocratic Roman naval commander who saves Ben-Hur by "adopting" him. Hawkins should have won the best supporting role Oscar instead of Hugh Griffiths, who hams it up as an Arab sheik. So what about the spectacle? Well, the famous chariot race is undeniably one of the best action scenes ever filmed. It's no surprise that it's what everybody remembers from the movie. A second-unit director who knew his business, and the film editor, got the timing and angles just about precisely right. Some of the sets are handsome enough, but for the most part Wyler didn't make particularly good use of the frame's extremely wide aspect ratio (about 2.70 to 1, I'd guess). Considering that the film long predated digital effects, the SFX are decent for their period, although during the too-frequent stretches when the attention wanders, it's hard not to fixate on some obviously painted backdrops. Incidentally, the rocky scenery in the background of the chariot racecourse looks more like Colorado Springs than Rome's Palatine Hill. The DVD transfer was clearly made from a clean new print, the colors often ravishing, but no amount of adjustment of my player's sharpness control could overcome a slight fuzziness in some scenes, although others (especially the action sequences) left nothing to be desired. It is as if the lab that performed the DVD authoring reserved their best efforts for what they considered the money shots.
Rating:
Summary: sweat and leather
Review: One can almost smell the jockstraps in this astonishing study of homo-erotic wrath in the years between the death of Christ and the establishment of the Christian church by Saul of Tarsus. Heston has never before nor after been such a hunk. It is sad to think that this gorgeous young man grew up to be a right-wing zealot. On the other hand -- that may be part of the kick for trend-setting young gays.
Rating: 
Summary: inspiration for "LIFE OF BRIAN"
Review: Those who haven't seen "Ben Hur" before will be amazed at the similarities to "Life of Brian." Indeed, there are scenes in the latter masterpiece that come straight out of this film. "Ben Hur" richly deserves its status as a gay cult film -- never before nor after was Charlton Heston so hunky.
Rating:
Summary: Bigger than Ben Hur? I don't think so!
Review: Ben Hur, William Wyler's best film, captured 11 Oscars in the year it was released. This feat remained until Titantic came along and was also matched this year by Lord of the Rings:Return of the King. I'ts easy to see why this film did so well, it is brilliant in almost every way. For those who don't know, Ben Hur tells the tale of a young prince of Judah named Judah Ben-hur, (Charlton Heston), who has a falling out with his boyhood friend Messala, (Stephen Boyd), that has dramatic repercussions. After an accident involving his sister and a Roman Governor, Judah and his family are locked away by Messala. This begins an epic story of faith and struggle. Judah ends up in as a galley slave on a Roman vessel. After he saves the lifeof the new Roman leader on the ship Quintus Arius, (a brilliant Jack Hawkins, Judah gains prominance as a Charioteer and gets his chance for revenge. Along the way, Judah has a few very moving meetings with Jesus of Nazereth, this scenes are some of the most touching of the movie. Charlton Heston gives a fantastic performance as does Stephen Boyd. It's an epic movie in every sense of the word and the chariot race is worth the price of the dvd alone. The only real weakness in this otherwise perfect film is the charecter Esther, (played by Haya Harareet), I really wish they cast Jean Simmons or Deborah Kerr in this part. Ben Hur deserves it's reputation as one of the greatest epics of all time and is worth repeated viewers, like a fine wine it seems to get better with age. I look forward to watching it every year at Easter time. Happy viewing.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece in Every Regard
Review: There are many reviews of Ben Hur here on Amazon, and those who say this is an incredible film are right on target. This is one of the all time masterpieces of film making. Superb acting, especially from Heston and Boyd (his finest performance), magnificently photographed in 65 mm wide screen, stereophonic sound and with one of the finest music scores ever written (Miklos Rozsa). What I wanted to add is that many have not seen this film because some see it as a "religious picture", and though it was written as a "tale of the Christ", it should be noted that when writing it, the author, General Lew Wallace, was NOT a religious man at all.. he was making a point of writing in defense of spirituality because he was upset with a man who was a "non-believer" (agnostic). In the process of writing the novel Ben Hur, he became a Christian. THIS FILM was made by a Jewish man, William Wyler... and intentionally written without showing Jesus' face or allowing the viewer to hear his voice. You never even see Jesus performing a miracle directly... only seeing the "miracle" at the end of the film INDIRECTLY through a heavy rainfall after the crucificion. THIS FILM is NOT about Jesus as much as it is about the futile and pointless exercise in revenge and anger. It is about loving thy neighbor and forgiveness.... Christian ideals for sure, but appealing to those of any faith that advocates peace, love and harmony. We are shown this by example in a fantasic story of epic proportions and that includes loads of emotion and tons of action. Easily a movie that deserves more than 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Epic
Review: This movie is truly legendary. What I can't stand is people criticizing it for copying other films. Can anyone explain how Ben hur could have "stolen" from Smokey and the Bandit when Smokey and the Bandit was made nearly 20 YEARS after Ben Hur? If you are going to criticize a movie, at least get your facts straight. That argument is just as bad as criticizing The Seven Samurai of copying The Magnificent Seven Ughh, manners people! manners
Rating:
Summary: GREATEST INSPIRATIONAL RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE OF ALLTIME!!!!
Review: "BEN-HUR" SURPASSES ALL OTHER BIBLICAL AND RELIGIOUS DRAMAS FOR ITS SHEER STRENGTH, POWER, MAJESTY, COURAGE, AND TEST OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT!!!! BREATHTAKINGLY SPECTACULAR IN CINEMATIC SCOPE, STORY, AND SCENERY!!!! A POWER OF THAT TESTS OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH TO THIS VERY DAY!!!! A SCREENPLAY OF RAW COURAGE, ORDEAL, BETRAYAL, AND SACRIFICE THAT TOUCHES THE HEART, AND BRINGS US ALL TO A GREATER FAITH AND A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORD LOVE!!!!
THE CAST IS OUTSTANDING CHARLTON HESTON, HAYA HARAREET, FRANK THRING, MARTHA HYER (WHO STARRED WITH HESTON ON PARAMOUNT'S 1956 EPIC "THE TEN COMMANDMENTS")!!!!
A FRIENDSHIP FROM CHILDHOOD IS TESTED!!!! TORN APART BY BETRAYAL AND HATRED OF TWO LANDS; ONE BOUND TO CONQUER ALL, THE OTHER TO LIVE IN PEACE!!!! UNTIL THE PRESENCE OF ONE MAN CHANGED THE LIVES OF ALL MANKIND FOREVER!!!! A MAN WHO WALKED IN PEACE; THEN LAYED HIS LIFE DOWN FOR THE REMISSION OF MAN'S SINS.
THIS IS BY FAR THE GREATEST TALE EVER WRITTEN ABOUT JESUS OF NAZARETH!!!! WHERE IN "KING OF KINGS" JEFFERY HUNTER PORTAYED THE LIVING REPRESENTATION OF JESUS; IN "BEN HUR" JESUS WAS A SPIRITUAL REPRESENTATION!!!! (YOU NEVER SAW HIS FACE, ONLY FROM HIS BACK; YOU NEVER HEARD HIM SPEAK!!!!)
SEEING JESUS REPRESENTED ON THE SILVER SCREEN, WITHOUT FACE OR VOICE WAS MORE BEAUTIFUL AND INSPIRATIONAL THAN ONE COULD IMAGINE!!!! MOST IMPRESSIVE WAS HIS "SERMON ON THE MOUNT" SEQUENCE, WHERE HAYA HARAREET ATTENDED, FACING FRANK THRING AS PONTIUS PILATE WHO WASHES HIS HANDS FOR HIS EXECUTION, (NOTE THE HORRIBLE SCOURGING LASHES ON JESUS'S BACK, AS WELL AS THE CROWN OF THORNS ON HIS HEAD), HIS APPEARANCE BEFORE BEN HUR (CHARLTON HESTON) AS HE RECIEVES WATER, AND HIS FINAL CRUCIFIXION WHICH IS HELD OFF IN THE DISTANCE; HERE IS FACE CANNOT BE RECOGNIZED!!!!
THEN THE POINT OF HIS DEATH; THE UNMISTAKABLE LONG ROLLING THUNDER (AND DARKENING SKIES), CRESHENDOING INTO A MIGHTY STORM; THE CULMINATION OF HIS PROPHOSY; THE PURIFICATION OF ALL SINNERS; THE CLEANLINESS OF THE SICK EVERYWHERE!!!!
FILLED WITH INTENSE DRAMA, HIGH EMOTION, AND INCREDIBLE SPECTACLE, "BEN HUR" WILL TOUCH YOUR HEART LIKE NEVER BEFORE!!!!
THE CHARIOT RACES ARE AWESOME!!!! INTENSELY FILMED WITH DANGER AT EVERY LEVEL!!!!
THE MOST EMOTIONAL SCENES OF THE FILM FOR ME, TAKE PLACE DURING THE LAST HOUR OF THE FILM, AS IT REACHES ITS MOST ENDEARING CLIMAX!!!!
FILLED WITH A POWER INSPIRATION MUSIC SONDTRACK BY THE GREAT MIKLOS ROZA (KING OF KINGS; EL CID)
THE CIVIL WAR OFFICER WHO WROTE THIS STORY, NEVER COULD DREAM THAT ONE DAY THAT SUCH AN EPIC MASTERPIECE WOULD EVER BE CREATED!!!! THIS VERSION OUTDOES THE SILENT VERSION!!!!
WINNER OF 11 ACADEMY AWARDS, INCLUDING BEST PICTURE OF 1959, "BEN HUR" WILL ALWAYS LIVE AS A JUBILATION AND A TESTIMONY
TO A GROWING CHRISTIAN FAITH AT TIME OF TYRANNY AND OPPRESION!!!! I GIVE THE MOST STARS OF RATINGS 25 STARS!!!! WHICH STANDS FOR ONE THING: ETERTAL!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Reason For Eleven Academy Awards
Review: Ever been skeptical about an Academy Award? Ever wondered if sometimes an award was given for reasons having less to do with excellence and more to do with Hollywood politics? Regarding Ben-Hur cast your skepticism aside. This is simply a fantastic movie, that will deeply move you, if you have any feeling at all. It really shouldn't be a surprise that the movie is so good. It was based on an even better book. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Can't Be Topped!
Review: Absolutely one of the best films ever made with one of the best action sequences (the chariot race) in film history. Ben Hur is betrayed throughout the film by his supposed best friend and overcomes all odds to regain his humanity and with the help of Jesus, save his sister and mother. Along with The Ten Commandments, this is what made Heston a household name!
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