Masterpiece...Timeless

Rating: 10/10 (4 August 2010)

¨Where there is greatness, great government or power, even great feeling or compassion, error also is great. We progress and mature by fault. But Rome has said she is ready to join your life to hers in a great future. ¨ I finally got around watching this classic film and I can say with absolute certainty that it doesn't age at all. It has been over 50 years since William Wyler directed this award winning epic and the movie is still stunning. Ben Hur is the film with most Oscars (tied with Titanic and The Lord of the Rings with 11 a piece). It was Wyler's third Oscar for best direction, he won for The Best Years of our Lives and Mrs. Miniver, but everyone remembers him for his masterpiece: Ben Hur. Wyler's film was actually a remake of a 1925 film of the same name and was also based on General Lew Wallace's novel. It is hard to envision how Wyler was able to make such a masterpiece without the help of computer generated effects. These scenes were brilliantly shot and the effects were great, for example the chariot race was breathtaking and very well choreographed. Ben Hur won all the technical awards along with best actor for Charlton Heston and supporting actor for Hugh Griffith. The only award it didn't win that it was nominated for was for best adapted screenplay which was written by Karl Tunberg, although several other people were involved and didn't get the credit for it. This epic movie is three and a half hours long, but time goes by so fast that it never drags. The story is so rich and powerful and the visuals were so amazing that Ben Hur became an instant success and a classic, and it is a movie we can still enjoy now fifty years later.
The story takes place during the first century in Judea, during the time of the Christ. Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) is a wealthy prince of his land, but Judea is under the Roman Empire. It is an unstable time because there are many talks of rebellion and the Jews don't want to pay taxes to Caesar who has to send more Roman soldiers in order to bring order to the chaotic area. Caesar sends a new tribune named Messala (Stephen Boyd) to Judea, who once lived there when he was a boy and was good friends with Judah and his family. The two men are very glad to see each other at first, but later Judah realizes that Messala is a changed man who wants Judah to betray his people and tell him who the rebels are. Judah doesn't help Messala and the two men go their separate ways. A few days later the Romans are parading over the city and as they pass Judah's house, his sister leans over the roof and one of the tiles accidentally falls over injuring a Roman Governor. Judah, his mother, and sister are taken prisoners by Messala who sends him to the galleys as a slave and locks Miriam (Martha Scott) and Tirzah (Cathy O'Donnell) in the cell. Judah keeps alive hoping to some day return and avenge his cause. In the galleys he meets centurion Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins) and in battle saves his life. During Judah's epic journey he runs into interesting characters such as Jesus of Nazareth, an Arab Sheik (Hugh Griffith), and one of the wise men Balthasar (Finlay Currie). The story is very engaging and develops nicely.
I can see how many directors and American movies have been inspired by this film which was ahead of its time with so many breathtaking effects. The chariot race is amazing and remains as one of the most memorable scenes in the movie. The message of the film is also very uplifting and positive, and the performances were great. Charlton Heston shines in his role as Ben Hur and he became one of the first true action stars. This is a movie I am glad I finally got around watching and I really enjoyed it. Hugh Griffith also gave a good performance as the Sheik and was probably the funniest character in the movie and he really deserved his Oscar. He was a good addition and probably the reason why so many action films now always introduce the funny character. Ben Hur is a must see film, it won't disappoint.
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