One of the Great Big Screen Classics !

Rating: Null/10 (30 March 2011)

In the era of big budget Biblical blockbusters, "Ben-Hur" towered above them all. Nominated for twelve 1959 Academy Awards, it won eleven, a record unmatched until 1997's "Titanic" came along. Based on an 1880 novel by Civil War general Lew Wallace, this film epitomizes cinema at its most epic. It is a "Tale of the Christ" and much more.
During the days of Jesus, Juddah Ben-Hur (Heston) is a Jewish nobleman living with his mother and sister in Jerusalem. When his best friend from childhood returns - Messala played by Stephen Boyd - there is joy. Messala, now a high ranking officer in the Roman army, urges his old friend to convince his people to embrace the Roman way. But Juddah, ever faithful to his own kind, will have none of it. This sets off a chain of events that nearly destroy the Hur family, turning old friends into bitter rivals.
There is a hefty helping of human suffering in "Ben-Hur", including the memorable galley scenes which feature a shirtless Charlton Heston in his big screen glory. Then there is the legendary chariot race, a spectacular battle between Ben-Hur and Messala, that cost more to film than most entire movies of the time.
Charting in at three and a half hours in length, "Ben-Hur" is a huge Hollywood production that easily captured the Best Picture Oscar. Heston, too, was rewarded with Best Actor and deservedly so. He carries this mammoth movie on his shoulders like no other actor could. Also of note is the stirring soundtrack by composer Miklos Rosza and, of course, William Wyler's direction. They were also honoured with Academy Awards.
"Ben-Hur" is an undeniable motion picture classic.