Ben-Hur: A True Masterpiece

Rating: 9/10 (27 May 2000)

Ben-Hur is one of the finest examples of moviemaking from the 1930's/40's/50's, The Golden Age of Hollywood. It is also one of the greatest motion pictures ever produced. I place it in my personal top-25 list of the best films ever made.
Ben-Hur exceeded all my criteria for measuring a motion picture and it's effects on the viewing audiences.... and our society and culture in general.

Highly entertaining

First class storytelling

Superior production quality

Top notch directing

Forceful acting/solid characters

Thought provoking

The entire cast gave tour de force performances. Especially Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith, Jack Hawkins and of course Charlton Heston! Originally MGM wanted Rock Hudson to play Judah Ben-Hur, but he turned it down and so did the second choice Burt Lancaster. Heston was slated to play the part of Messala and wasn't considered for the Judah Ben-Hur part until Hudson and Lancaster said no thanks. Boyd was set to play a small part in Ben-Hur, but was then promoted to be Messala in what was the films most significant supporting role.
Ben-Hur is a great film in so many ways not to mention it being a true action film. The chariot race is one of the greatest sequences ever filmed in the history of moviemaking. This is also a film about human relationships and human passions revolving around actual historical events and based on Judah-Christian teachings and influences.
The author of this story Lew Wallace shouldn't be overlooked either. The book Ben-Hur was a best seller in the 1880's and Wallace will always be remembered for writing an outstanding original story that was expressed so wonderfully in this motion picture masterpiece.
William Wyler was nominated 11-times for an Oscar as best direcor starting with Dodsworth in 1936 and ending with The Collector in 1966. He won for Mrs. Miniver in 1942, The Best Years of Our Lives in 1946 and Ben-Hur 1959. Wyler directed many great stars and great actors in his career and was a true professional in every sense of the word. A true master director and creative genius!
That's it folks. Watch and enjoy Ben-Hur..... they don't make them like this anymore!