A wonderful old fashioned thriller

Rating: 8/10 (27 December 2001)

Ben Hur is still the best of the biblical epics of the 40s and 50s and it still holds up well today. This is one of those movie that you claim "They don't make 'em like this anymore". Large and lavish with 'a cast of thousands', it astounds to this day.	If you watch this movie for one reason, make it the chariot race which is still one of the best action sequences put on film ever. There aren't many action sequences that get heart racing like this. The rumbles of the horses, the overhead shots, the dust billowing up from the hoofs are simply exhilarating. The chariot race is all 'old-fashioned' film making. There is no computers. Everything you see is happening. There is some magnificent stuntwork (sadly, one stuntman died filming this sequence).	There are some other strong sequences, like the Galley ship scene, in which director William Wyler (who made one of my other favourite movies "The Collector") builds up some wonderful suspense.	The acting is strong especially Stephen Boyd as Masella, Ben Hur's sly nemesis. Charlton Heston does a fine job in the title role although I think he could do these biblical roles in his sleep.	Makes a perfect double bill with "Spartacus" (if you have 7 hours to kill!)