Before Watching: Ben-Hur (1959)

Rating: 10/10 (9 September 2019)

"Ben-Hur" (1959) is a classic and undeniable epic from the golden years of Hollywood. If you want to get as much out of it as possible, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before watching:
Ben-Hur checks in at about three and a half hours. It is long. There is a lot of set-up and a lot of dialogue. However, more than just being simply excessive, Ben-Hur rarely feels unnecessary or tedious. Both scenes and people have a point, and they are enough nuanced and interesting for the movie to captivate and spellbind throughout the entire runtime. Make time for it, and give the movie the whole of the afternoon or evening that it needs. There is an intermission halfway through to take a breath.
The production value of Ben-Hur is matched by few other movies and is on level with the Lord of the Rings and Titanic. It is massive, epic, and it feels real (the few effects present are of a surprisingly high quality as well!). The stunts are stunning and the stages jaw-dropping, and locations are consistently on point. The sound is great as well. The more you can spoil these attributes with a great sound and screen, the more you will be favored in return.
The movie, nevertheless, features a strong, Christian vibe which certifies Jesus as the Savior and Son of God. Depending on one's attitude to religious elements, this can be either a great addition or a subtracting nuisance, especially since this element features a lot of the movie's resolution.
So, in all, Ben-Hur is a brilliant, awe-inspiring epic which however feature strong Christian elements in its extensive runtime. It is a lot, but if you can take a lot in, this is a thrill sure to leave an impression.
My personal grade: a magnificent 10/10. If you found this helpful, check my profile for more reviews.