Rating: 
Summary: Overrated
Review: I must start out that I have only been alive for some 20 years and have not have been privy to the evolution of movies. As an example, I wasn't all that impressed with Citizen Kane when compared to modern day movies. However, I can see how it was a pivotal piece of work that laid the foundation for other movies. This is exactly the same way that I feel about Ben-Hur. While the cinematography and acting are spectacular, the over drama becomes heavy handed when it doesn't advance the story. The whole romantic interest was thrown in to draw more people into the theaters. I feel that more time should have been focused on the actual plot. The movie ponders along and eventually comes back to the story in a lazy manner. If this movie were brought out today, then it would be seen as a valiant effort, but overproduced and bland. Overall, not bad, but not too good.
Rating: 
Summary: missing scene?
Review: When I first saw Ben-Hur in the cinema (about 25 years ago) I remember vey well a scene in which Ben-hur's mother and sister were inside the prison cellsitting on the floor. I have seen the film many times again but that scene is missing. Such scene appears between the one of the prison guard opening the door's cell, looking inside and with a horrified face saying: lepers! and the face of Messala's friend. But no trace of the two women inside. After commenting this issue with some friends, some did not remeber such scene but others where as convinced as me of having seen it. Certainly there is a possibility that I am mistaken and that when I affirm having seen such scene In reality I am wrong because it only exists in my imagination. I do not know but would like your comments. Many thanks. Jose
Rating:
Summary: Prince of Judea Gets Royal Treatment From Warner Bros
Review: This review refers to the Warner Bros SINGLE DISC DVD edition of "BEN-HUR"......Well, I am just absolutely thrilled at the treatment this 1959 classic epic has recieved in the transfer to DVD. Warner Bros has really done a superb job. The picture, color, clarity and sound could not be any better if this film was made yesterday. It is presented in the original anamorphic widescreen, and what a view. You won't miss a bit of the academy award winning cinematography. The chariot race, the sea battle,the splendors of Rome and all the glorious and immense sets will just have you in awe. The wonderful technicolor on this DVD is a stand out compared to some others of this era(there were a couple of occasions where there was some sort of greenish tint, but in the background and did not interfer with the view). The sound is enhanced in Dolby Dig Surround 5.1 and is just excellent. The music, dialouge and all surrounding sounds are crystal clear. The film runs about 3 1/2 hours(you need to flip the disc at about the 2:20 mark, a good time to raid the fridge!), and includes the original overture and intermission music. And if you can't get enough, the DVD also includes some fabulous features. There is audio commentary by Charlton Heston, screen tests, a photo gallery,career highlights, subtitles in English, French(it may also be viewed in French) Spanish and Portuguese.
There is also an hour long behind-the-scenes documentary "BEN-HUR: The Making of an Epic". This feature not only goes into depth in the making of this version, but also gives some great information on the 1925 version with Ramon Novarro, and even has some footage of the very first celluloid attempt of the story(which ran 15 min) from 1907, and background information on the book and it's author. There are some great interviews with cast and crew(from both of these huge films). "BEN-HUR", the story of a Jewish Prince who's life paralells that of Christ,is an epic saga that takes him from a nobleman, to a galley slave to a hero. The film won a record breaking 11 Acamedy Awards in 1959, including Best Picture, Best Director(William Wyler), Best Cinematography, Best Actor(Charlton Heston) and Best Supporting Actor(Hugh Griffith). This record was unmatched for nealy 40 years, when in 1997 "Titantic" burst onto the scene. It is a wonderful story, and has something for everyone. The cast includes some of the greats from the 50's. Look for Jack Hawkins as Quinas Arrius the Roman whose life is saved by Judah Ben-Hur, Stephen Boyd as Messala, Judah's boyhood friend who turns on him,Martha Scott and Cathy O'Donnell as his beloved mother and sister, and Haya Harareet as Esther, the woman he loves. If you have never seen this film before, keep reading some of the other terrific and informative reviews here that delve more into the story, and trust me this is one great story! For those that have seen it, you will fall in love all over with this film on this excellent DVD. There is another edition for sale as well, the "Limited Edition Collector Set". It looks like it comes with lots of goodies for the serious collector, but is quite a bit more expensive. The studio of release on that one is not Warner Bros though. Bravo Warner Bros and Thank You! enjoy....Laurie
Rating:
Summary: Thank you Charlton Heston
Review: This film changed my life. When watching the film i didn't know that it was a Jesus film and while watching it i said in my head''Father God please give me a sign for me to know that you exist''. Ans he showed me the sign when Jesus died and people with leprase were hailed. I just felt that i had to write a review to give thanks for this film and to Charlton Heston. He is a great actor.
Rating:
Summary: 2 FILMS IN ONE
Review: YOU GET THE STORY OF A YOUNG RABBI(THE CHRIST), PREACHING ON THE COUNTRYSIDES OF GALILEE, CARING AND SERENE. AND THE STORY OF JUDAH BEN HUR. HIS IS ONE OF VENGEANCE, RETALIATION FOR THE ACTS OF ONE, ROMAN TRIBUNE, A CHILDHOOD FRIEND, TURNED, WELL, ROMAN TRIBUNE. THE STORY IS INTRIGING FROM BEGINING TO END. FROM THE FALLOUT BETWEEN OLD FRIENDS, THE TALK OF THE FALL OF ROME, TO THE FALLING TILES. THEN THE STORY GETS INTERESTING! YOUNG ARIAS (BEN-HUR) RETURNS TO JERUSALEM IN A QUICK, BUT POWERFUL SCENE. REMINISCENT OF GLADIATOR'S UNVEILING OF THE MASK. THE CHARIOT RACE, WHICH YOU CAN SEE IN A MORE MODERN VERSION, WHEN YOUNG ANAKIN WINS THE RACE ON TATOOINE, IS THE CLIMAX FOR JUDAH. THE RABBI'S CLIMAX IS WELL KNOWN. BUT THE STORY REALLY TOUCHES THE HEART WITH WHAT FOLLOWS THE YOUNG RABBI'S ORDEAL. THIS MOVIE IS A MASTERPIECE. THE STORY CAME FROM A CIVIL WAR GENERAL, GENERAL LEW WALLACE. QUITE AN IMAGINATION. QUITE A MOVIE!!! 7 STARS *******
Rating:
Summary: rejouvinating!!
Review: This is a film which I had seen dozens of time as a small boy in the local cinema. Crowds used to go and see it. You had to book a place weeks before. Charlton Heston is at his best in the film as he was in THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. The best scenes are the chariot race and the sea battle. But the Glory of Rome has been reproduced in all its glory in the scene when Gratius retund to Rome with Ben-Hur.
If you don't have it , don't miss it and add it to your DVD library
Rating:
Summary: A classic film
Review: Ben- Hur is a real classic, just one of those films to remember forever. William Willer was a great director!
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary Epic
Review: Yes, this movie was made forty-plus years ago, so it contains an uncomfortable amount of silly overacting so prevalent in dramatic films of that period. Yes, the film is rife with stereotypical depictions of Romans, Jews, and Arabs, and offers a very sanitized version of a leper colony. And yes, the movie has a religious theme, which makes it almost unworthy in today's politically correct culture. Despite all of the above, director William Wyler gave the world an engrossing, beautiful film, complete with stunning cinematography, a compelling story, moving musical score, and perhaps the most famous racing scene in the history of moviemaking. I first saw BEN-HUR as a young boy at a theater; I was captivated throughout the three hours, thoroughly entertained and in awe of the majesty on the big screen. The film instantly became one of my favorites, and remains so to this day. Few things do I enjoy more than watching a beautifully crafted, well made movie, and my appreciation certainly was not unique, as the film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1959. The story is familiar to us all: Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) is a young nobleman from a prominent Jewish family reunited with his childhood friend Messala (Stephen Boyd), who returns to Judea as a Roman tribune. There is genuine warmth and friendship between the two men, yet the clash of their cultures drives a wedge between them--a wedge that becomes a chasm as Messala banishes Judah to the slave galleys and sends his mother and his sister to prison. Thus Judah's life becomes a quest: a quest to survive, a quest for vengeance. Judah survives the galleys to become the adopted son of a Roman general (Jack Hawkins), and his triumphant return to Judea permits him to challenge and subsequently confront Messala in a chariot race--a breathtaking sequence of spellbinding, unforgettable scenes. And although Judah's heart is twisted with anger, BEN-HUR is also the story of love, redemption, foregiveness--all depicted under the shadow of the crucifixion of Christ. And in the aftermath of the crucifixion we witness a miracle, a wondrous event that makes this movie so compelling. A sweeping, extraordinary epic, BEN-HUR is highly recommended and well worth three hours of anyone's time.
--D. Mikels
Rating: 
Summary: a short, wide movie
Review: Although this movie boasts a cast of 8,000, many of the characters in this film have such tiny roles that we never get to know them. For example, some cast members do nothing in the movie but sit in a stadium to watch chariot races. What do we as the viewer really know about these people?
Ben-Hur is one of the longest movies ever made both in length of time and in widescreenedness. It is so much wider than it is tall that it makes you wonder what they were trying to hide.
Jesus makes a cameo in this movie but to my great disappointment he doesn't take part in the chariot race.
Rating: 
Summary: Bad dubbing
Review: I like the movie but the DVD version's 5.1 sound sounds horrible! The dialogues are so badly dubbed that made me cringe. The voices become clearer and out of synch, added to the fact that the background effects disappear. Am I the only one who noticed this or is my stereo broken?
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