Ben-Hur
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Movie Reviews of Ben-Hur
Movie Review: A longwinded but unforgettable epic
Summary: 5 Stars
Recently, I watched Ben-Hur for my first time on DVD The movie got off to a slow start and there are quite a few minutes I would have considered editing out (The overture alone is six minutes). But, after about half and hour or so, this movie really got going. The story revolves around Jonah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who is arrested for attempting to murder a roman governor (Which was untrue. It was a mere accident) and forced into slavery. Ben-Hur is portrayed in an Academy Award winning performance by Charlton Heston. Some critics have complained in the years following the film's release that Heston is wooden in his role. While his performance isn't brilliant and does have some poor moments, he is excellent nonetheless. The rest of the cast is also good. The sets, cinematography and special effects are also excellent, which is probably why they won among the film's Eleven Academy Awards, a tally that wouldn't be equaled until 1997's Titanic. I though at first that the opening scene of the film (The birth of Jesus Christ) had nothing to do with the movie. But Jesus was a main part in Ben-Hur's life, at least in his Hollywood life. He encouraged him to continue moving on when Jonah was a slave and also baptized him. When Jesus was dying at the cross, he performed one last miracle on the Hur family by curing Jonah's mother and sister of leprosy.
There is in this movie what is among the ten most celebrated action scenes in motion pictures: The chariot race. After more than forty years, the sequence has not lost its original excitement and is still inspiring directors today (See the pod race in Star Wars Episode One). What makes it so good is the way it was filmed. Sometimes, the camera angle makes it look as if we are spectators at the race. In other shots, we are chasing the chariots or even feel as though we are sitting in the driver's chair. The fact it was filmed in the 1950's before such a scene could be computer generated or filmed in front of a blue screen makes us appreciate it more because of the risks the producers took in filming it. Would such a scene be as great and realistic if filmed today?
The presentation on the DVD is Widescreen Anamorphic. The transfer is excellent with hardly any nicks or scratches. The extras are even more excellent. There is a superb documentary about the making of Ben-Hur, covering the book, stage productions, the 1907 short, the 1926 silent movies and of course the much celebrated 1959 movie. This documentary also shows revealing look at the making of the movie, exposing secrets of some of the special effects (One interesting tidbit: William Wyler, who directed the 1959 Ben-Hur, was an assistant director on the 1926 silent version). There are also two theatrical trailers, screen tests and commentary from star Charlton Heston. The only major complaint I have is how you have to turn the disc over during the playing of the movie after the intermission to watch the rest of it. Taking the disc out of the box is also difficult as well.
Three-hour epics such as Ben-Hur are what can be considered an acquired taste. They are long and slow at times and often with unnecessary scenes. But this doesn't mean they aren't worth watching. If you want to learn about the Roman Empire or if you just feel like watching a good movie, Ben-Hur is highly recommended.
Movie Review: An Epic of Dynamic Proportions
Summary: 5 Stars
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?
Movie Review: Every time I see this I get charged.
Summary: 5 Stars
It's definitely one of my favorites of all time because it's got stuff that most movies don't have: Everything. MGM and company unintentionally created a work of popular art that could only be fully appreciated in its original, pristine print, 70mm, super widescreen glory. It is no longer possible to make a film like Ben-Hur. Oh, George Lucas tries with all his computerized graphics, but this is a REAL spectacle, not some virtual one. 8,000 extras, tens of thousands of costumes, a $15 million budget (in the 1950's!), massive sets depict the power of Rome on the grandest possible scale. It took six years to complete production. Yet, its focus remains sharply on the detail, the private human experience of it all. The story doesn't get lost in the enormous vision of the work.
Ben-Hur is a drama at its best. It's the story of a family that had it all, was destroyed and then given their lives back. Ben Hur depicts both the best and worst of the Roman Empire, its glory and progress and the oppression of the less fortunate who lived under its rule.
There are two action scenes that really get my heart pounding each time this. First, the scene on the galley where the slaves are put through a grueling, forced rowing of their ship under the eye of General Quintus Arrius. The way that scene builds with the alternating of the camera from the slaves to the drums to the general, all the while picking up the pace, is quite riveting. Second, the chariot race. Some of the best action ever produced by Hollywood. The race itself keeps people on the edge of their seats. It appears to have been put together close to real time, which makes it all the greater.
Although the movie slows down after the race I am still moved by what happens later. The movie follows up with how Judah dealt with the festering anger inside him and what happens to his mother and sister. His love, Esther, helps the family and tries to console Judah. I really like the character of Esther that is portrayed.
Most of all, the greatest character of all in this movie is that of Christ. In Christ we see someone suffering without the hatred and vengeance that is so shown by Judah. A favorite scene of mine is when Christ gives Judah water to drink. The Roman commander orders him to stop. Jesus looks at him and the soldier is speechless. That says it all.
Charlton Heston has said that this movie could not be made today because of the prohibitive budget that would be required. Heston gives a sensitive and intelligent performance, as does most of the supporting cast. Ben-Hur's 11 Oscar nominations has been equaled by very few films. There have been similar efforts in the past (The Ten Commandments (50th Anniversary Collection), Cleopatra, etc.) but nothing matches the dramatic intimacy balanced with the epic extravagance of Ben-Hur. Truly a film in a class by itself and an actor that will be miss.
Movie Review: A Hollywood classic!
Summary: 5 Stars
Winner of eleven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Ben-Hur is widely considered one of the greatest films of all-time. Combining powerful acting performances, unique set design, colorful costumes, and unrivaled visual effects for its day, Ben-Hur is a pleasure to watch. Like Lawrence Of Arabia, it's one of those rare films from yesteryear which remains a top-tier film to this day (i.e. the film itself doesn't seem old, nor do the special effects look amateurish). If you enjoy classic films like Spartacus, Cleopatra, or Casablanca, then Ben-Hur is a definite must-see for your list. Like Gladiator (2000), Ben-Hur manages to bring the Roman Empire into vivid display on the big screen...
Charlton Heston plays the title role of Judah Ben-Hur, an Israelite prince during the reign of Tiberius. Young and wealthy, Ben-Hur enjoys the finer aspects of life in the era of Pax Romana. When his old friend Messala (Stephen Boyd) arrives in Jerusalem to serve as the Roman Governor, the two are reunited and enjoy each other's company. However, the two quickly find that their political views have created divisions between them, and when a brick falls from the house of Ben-Hur during a parade (almost killing Messala), Ben-Hur and his family face the wrath of the Roman governor.
Intent on sending a message to the Jews that he will have zero tolerance for rebellious behavior, Messala jails Ben-Hur's mother and sister and sells Ben-Hur into slavery. As Ben-Hur is taken away from his native land, he plots his escape and eventual return to exact vengeance on his sworn enemy... Ben-Hur's arrival in Jerusalem coincides with the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth...
Charlton Heston makes quite an impression in his title role of Ben-Hur, following up well on the heals of his mesmerizing performance as Moses in the equally successful film, The Ten Commandments. Heston's resounding voice bodes well for hero characters pulled from the myths of ancient times. His larger-than-life persona conjures images of Arnold Schwarzenegger, but without the accent. Heston's performance is complimented by a series of action sequences which set the tone for its designation as an epic film. One such series involves a battle between the slave ship on which Ben-Hur resides and another ship which attacks it. The other, and most memorable, scene from the film is when Ben-Hur engages Messala in a chariot race (which even if you haven't seen the movie, you've probably seen this part).
Overall, Ben-Hur lives up to its hype as an Oscar Award-winning blockbuster (it still holds the record for most Academy Awards, although the record has since been tied). However, the film itself is beginning to show its age in that modern epics such as Gladiator are far better in terms of entertainment value. The length of Ben-Hur is probably an hour to an hour-and-a-half longer than it should be. The plot can be slow and droning at times. Nevertheless, Ben-Hur remains a Hollywood classic and a definite must-see movie...
The DVD Report
Movie Review: No Hyperbole Here!
Summary: 5 Stars
You don't have to be a Christian (though I am) to enjoy this massive Magnum Opus of drama, forgiveness, revenge, action, and rich dialouge. Besides, there is no story in the bible that mirrors this, as the origins of this movie is historical fiction. Now that even satanists have no way to back up their hate of this movie because it's not shoving any bible stories (and their messages, if any) in their face!
Though this movie is extremely long at four hours, this movie doesn't move along at a snail's pace. Rather, this movie truly benefits from the extended scene lengths, never rushing anything, letting each subtle human emotion and character come through through slow self discovery on the viewers part. Case in point. When Judah and Messala meet for the first time, watching them go from erratic emotion of being reunited, and watcing that emotion dissolve into disagreement, then finally parting in anger, well, that path would take time in the real world, and Ben-Hur nails that aspect with great ease. It's just one fine example, and it's the reason why the movie does a great job of telling the story and all of it's emotions.
The action sequences, when there are ones, are also not rushed. The Chariot race is painstankingly done in great detail, you can feel like your actually there. The camera shots, well, the film snob in me could go on and on with production techniques and other ways that makes this movie as engaging as it is.
And wow, the production values are amazing. They spend their money well. The sets on here are absolutely grand, as for the props. JUST LOOK AT THAT TEMPLE! The whole backdrop of the shooting star in the prolouge, gorgeous. I find the bible landscapes amazing when I picture them in my head, and this movie only further shows why I think it that way. Even if you don't, well, shame on you.
I don't want to spoil much of the plot, but it's truly long-winded. While it's very easy to follow, it's extremely sprawling and by the time it is over, you will feel like you have gone all kinds of places. My rather dry description of it's epic feel doesn't really do justice to it's amazing use of that at all. I do apologize. The acting itself is very good, and the actors make the aforementioed pace of the scenes interesting and engaging throughout.
The DVD itself has fine picture quality (obviously), though my only petty prude complaint is the . All the bonus features only add to it, and it features plenty of essential DVD mainstays (commentary) to keep you entertained long after it's four hours. And this doesn't even include the fact you can watch it more than once!
This is the only movie that truly deserves that many Academy Awards, something that Titanic or Lord of The Rings wish it deserved. But I digress. If you want a thought-provoking, entertaining, and grand movie Ben-Hur is not to be missed. Truly inspirational and still awesome to watch today.