Epic of epic proportions

Rating: 10/10 (25 March 2005)

The epic by which all others are judged,it remains one of the best films of all time.After having a falling out over Roman rule about to be imposed in ancient Judea,ex friends Roman Messala and Jewish Ben hur become bitter enemies.Set during the time of Christ, it concerns one mans encounter with Him and the impact it will have on the rest of. his life.The acting is first rate with Heston at his best. Steven Boyd is also fine as his nemesis,and Jack Hawkins shines as naval commander Quintus Arias the cynical yet likable Roman who has an offer for Ben Hur while he is imprisoned as a galley slave.The movie has a pro religious and positive Christian point of view that may be considered controversial in todays ultra liberal Hollywood where sex and graphic violence are the norm. Also its three and a half hour running time may put off short attention span viewers.Made for a record 15 million dollars-in 1959 money the colossal scope of this movie looks like twenty times that much. The musical score is so good it can stand on its own.For sheer screen majesty,what can top the chariot parade in the arena before the big race-especially the Ariel shots of the racers with the titanic head of the statue of Jupiter in the foreground. Then there's the race itself.Arguably the most famous sequence in movie history it has been imitated often -Star Wars The Phantom Menace as the pod race but never equaled. All the more impressive because what you are seeing is real. No CGI or green screen FX here.To give any more of it away will not be fair to you. I have seen it many times on TV and video, but I really saw it for the first time when I saw it on the big screen at the Loews Jersey theater ,a restored movie palace in Jersey City NJ. It was a film that I never will forget. Try to see it on a big screenDefines the term "epic". Monmunental entertainment.