Great action film that still does the business after all these years.

Rating: Null/10 (1 March 1999)

Dating from the days when a new epic was a serious undertaking, in its full version it includes an overture and also special music for the interlude.
My father had a passion for biblical epics and I reckon I must have been the only 5 year old in England who sat happily through all 4 hours of it when it was first released. It is still just about my most favourite film of all time.
Some of the religious elements are a bit cheesy, but the straightforward revenge story is as enjoyable as ever, and how refreshing not to have to see sex in all its detail at every opportunity. An enjoyable villain and a satisfying denouement add to the pleasure. The chariot race is still as impressive as ever, and, yes, it was filmed for real. Charlton Heston had to learn to drive a chariot to make the film. He was of course the typecast lead for such films, but he was the best.