|
|
Rating:  - Fernando
Ben-Hur is one of our family favourites.We love the film and the quality of the DVD is superb. It is a coincidence that we received the film just before the death of Charlton Heston.
Rating: - Every time I see this I get charged.
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.
Rating: - a masterpiece of Western/technological Civilization...
Seven Samurai, Seventh Seal, Casablanca, maybe Shawshank--and then there's Ben Hur. Human decency in an insane world- the triumph of hope over hate. Almost the power of Wagner's Ring or the Aeneid! If you've never seen it- set a long evening aside with no distractions and let yourself be overwhelmed.
Rating: - An Epic of a Greatest Magnitude
One can be saddened or deeply shocked over the recent death of the star of Ben-Hur, Charlton Heston on April 5, 2008. Nevertheless, one thing that will never be forgotten is the magnitude of many of Mr. Heston's movies, such as Ben-Hur.
This particular movie is actually an epic of a greatest magnitude, whether one thinks of the chariot race or one of the other many scene's that will forever be imbedded in one's mind. This particular movie is sure to please audiences for generations to come.
My particular favorite of scenes was Mr. Heston as Judah Ben-Hur, as a slave who had to cross a desert into Nazareth and with the rest of the slaves dying of thirst. The Romans felt they and their horses should drink first, before any of the slaves. As for Judah, he was to receive no water at all. In his suffering, he lies down upon the ground asking God to help him and Jesus comes with water just for him and brushes the head of Judah, to give him comfort.
When a Roman soldier comes towards Jesus to hit him with a whip, Jesus get's up and looks at the soldier and he could not hit him after looking into his face. As for Judah, before he was forced to march again with the rest of the slaves, he had gotten his fill of water.
Scenes like that, is what makes a good movie for all audiences.
Rating: - A Dangerously Awesome Human Drama
The epic that changed cinema. Human drama, sweeping history, tender affection, boiling hatred, thrilling character interaction. THE BEST MOVIE EVER ? Well it did win best picture. 11 academy awards en total, including best actor and director. Not matched until 40 years later by 'Titanic' (Hmm ?)......THE BEST REVENGE MOVIE ? What other film has the protagonist and antagonist both out for red hot revenge? Culminating in THE BEST ACTION SEQUENCE on tape! No special effects, no digital enhancement, no rubber matrix strings attached. Careening chariots, foaming stallions, the crowd lust for blood. That Charioteer (stuntman Joe Canutt) flipping 3 feet head over heels above a racing chariot was an "intentional mistake". Pure raw 1958 action Heston vs. Boyd. Burt Lancaster as Ben-Hur vs. Kirk Douglas as Messala? MGM toyed with that combo. But Kirk wanted to be Ben. So he reneged and went on to make Sparticus. . . . When Messala brandishes his horsewhip and starts hitting Ben-Hur you instinctively rise out of your seat ready to jump into the fury. Messala's death scene is the stuff of legend. An unmatched sweeping epic culminating on the Via Dolorosa where a tortured Christ removes the cold shard of hatred from Judah Ben-Hur's heart. . . . . . . Filmed at Cinecitta Studios Italy using wide screen format and 65mm film stock to yield a razor sharp picture. $15 million later Ben-Hur wrapped on 01/07/1959. The first cut ran 6 hours. I would have loved to have that set of reels. At the time of reissue (1969) It had brought in $66 million. Thats big bucks back then buddies. . . A rich and glowing drama that transcends the bounds of spectacle. This four disc collector's edition presents this supreme movie beautifully. A restored digital transfer, enlightening commentary track, and documentary background footage. 1959 the Hollywood reporter deemed "of greater dimension that any film of our time". And I would argue "of our time also".
|
|