Cecil B. DeMille's Got Nothing On This One

Rating: 10/10 (26 May 2009)

For its time, "Ben-Hur" was as big as they got-- colossal budget, gigantic sets, enormous cast, and even a pretty long running time (which, all things considered, isn't really as big as they got; "Lawrence of Arabia" was longer). Despite its enduring popularity, a lot of people claim that its size made it something of an empty spectacle-- all show and no substance.
Wrong!
If nothing else, the music of "Ben-Hur" proves that this is a movie that will actually make you ride its whole emotional tide. The Oscar-winning score is about as evocative as can be. But it's not the only thing about this movie. That huge cast is just perfect (especially Stephen Boyd, rendered utterly sinister and emotionally captivating by brown contact lenses and a fantastic acting instructor), and each scene has plenty of impressive dialogue and genuine movement to keep even this seat-tester consistently interesting.
Plus, on any size screen, "Ben-Hur" looks fantastic. There's no way around it-- no one knows how to frame a shot like the cinematographer of "Oklahoma!" Charlton Heston is always a captivating hero, from his wonderfully starry-eyed Moses to the gun-slinging Taylor ("Planet of the Apes," all you non-sci fi people). Put him at the center of a movie this incredible and the deal is sealed.
BEN-HUR-- *the* epic.