Ben-Hur (1959)

Ben-Hur scooped an unprecedented 11 Academy Awards® in 1959 and, unlike some later rivals, richly deserved every single one. This is epic filmmaking on a scale that had not been seen before and is unlikely ever to be seen again. But it's not just running time or a cast of thousands that makes an epic, it's the subject matter, and here the subject--Prince Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) and his estrangement from old Roman pal Messala (Stephen Boyd)--is rich, detailed, and sensitively handled. Director William Wyler, who had been a junior assistant on MGM's original silent version back in 1925, never sacrifices the human focus of the story in favor of spectacle, and is aided immeasurably by Miklos Rozsa's majestic musical score, arguably the greatest ever written for a Hollywood picture. At four hours it's a long haul (especially given some of the portentous dialogue), but all in all, Ben-Hur is a great movie, best seen on the biggest screen possible. --Mark Walker Amazon.com essential video

one of the greatest stunts in film!

The story of a prominent and wealthy Jewish family, whose feud with a Roman friend nearly destroys them. An extremely emotional story against the backdrop of the birth and crucifixion of Jesus Christ is one of the greatest epics ever filmed. The chariot race is one of the most impressive and longest action pieces I've ever seen! That sequence alone takes the film out of the realm of greatness into an outstanding piece of visual cinema! November 9, 2008

The Best.

Whenever you hear the phrase "of epic proportions", you think of Ben-Hur. Everything about it is epic, from the soundtrack, to the sets, to the costumes to the excellent acting from every single character. Bottom line, it is by far the greatest movie ever made. I won't say any more because I don't want to ruin it for anyone who has not yet seen this wonderful masterpiece. October 30, 2008

The essence of well-done cinema

The very definition of an epic film. Grand, sweeping, yet intelligent, touching and intricate. Exquisite acting performances by Heston and Boyd; lush sets; impressive music. A timeless classic. October 10, 2008

Timeless Epic

Ben-Hur (Four-Disc Collector's Edition)

This is the best American movie ever made. Everything is done superbly. Great story, outstanding acting, fantastic picture made with 65mm cameras, masterful music score. It is hard to find anything bad about this movie.

Aspect ratio of this movie is incredible 2.76:1. On standard 4:3 TV black bars will occupy more space than the movie itself. This method creates spectacular panoramic shots which is important for epic movies with great action scenes.

Chariot race is one of the best action sequences ever shot in a movie. With no digital computer effects it is a true masterpiece. Pod racing looks great in Star Wars Episode 1 but it is entirely done digitally, something not available in 1959.

In 36 page booklet about the production (included with 2005 edition) it is mentioned that Judah's horses in the movie are actually world famous Lipizzaners. As gray horses they are born black or bay but during their lifetime they become lighter every year and finally become white. They originate from farms around village Lipizza in Slovenia and they are used in the world oldest and most famous Spanish Ridding School (formed in 1572) in Vienna, Austria. Only stallions are used for dressage. Unlike racing horses, these live very long, reaching 30 eventually. In 2005, when new 4-disc set of Ben-Hur was reissued, it was exactly 60 years from the time when general Patton rescued these horses from extinction. During WWII, Nazis captured entire breeding stock and shipped it back to Germany. Rescue had to be made behind Soviet lines to prevent them from ending in Soviet hands as horsemeat.

Chariot race places Judah against his old buddy Messala who sent him to slavery and imprisoned his mother and sister. Judah uses this race to destroy Messala's ego and end his streak of invincibility in the Forum. Messala rides Greek chariot with black horses, equipped with metal spikes to crush other competitors because there are no rules that ban such thing. Everything is allowed. After his chariot crashes, he refuses to be operated, he waits for Judah to come to him. The only reason why he is waiting for Judah is not to show remorse or regret for his past actions against Judah and his family but to commit his final act of evil, his last words tell Judah that he can seek his mother and sister in "Valley of the Lepers", if he can recognize them. We can only wish that George Lucas made Dart Vader more like Messala. His body completely broken, bathed in his own blood and waiting to die he uses little life left in him to make Judah suffer even more. Stephen Boyd portrayal of Messala is one of the best evil guy acts ever made.

Movie is the winner of eleven Academy Awards. Charlton Heston gave his best performance ever and won Oscar. It is shame that Stephen Boyd didn't win it, he got only Golden Globe Award for best Supporting Actor. July 11, 2008

Classic

Ben-Hur is an epic tale of childhood friends who ended up on opposite sides of a very harsh line in the time of Christ. The movie is an undeniable classic, and epic in every way. Fun to watch, powerful, touching at times - a must see! July 10, 2008

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