A message for today

Rating: Null/10 (18 October 2003)

Ben Hur is interesting on a number of counts today, if you FF through the chariot race.
It's fun to watch the reunion between Messala and Ben Hur from the point of view that they were once lovers (as Stephen Boyd but NOT Charlton Heston was allegedly coached to perform it).
The religiosity is amusing: If you laughed at Life of Brian, you'll instantly recognise its roots in many scenes of Ben Hur (just don't expect them to sing during the crucifixion). Jesus is always shown from behind and never speaks, but we know it's Him by the long blow-dried brown hair and the white robe. And anything symbolic, like the spear into the Crossed beams, or the Giving of Water, is always taken at a snail's pace so you won't miss it. The Magus Balthazar delivering distinctly KJV Pauline atonement theology during the crucifixion is also a hoot. You want to say, "Wait up, He hasn't risen yet!"
The other interesting factor is the very 1959 political slant. We have Heston denouncing informers, a swing at McCarthy and the Hollywood people who Named Names. And of course we have Heston standing up for freedom and brave little Judea against big bad Rome. But what's this? When Messala defends Rome, he says things like "Our culture spans the earth!" and "You are either for us or against us!" He sounds a lot like You Know Who - but more articulate.