Better than "Cleopatra".

Rating: Null/10 (26 February 2012)

I've rarely seen this film, but when I have, I've always enjoyed it. Not as a religious parable, as I am not religious whatsoever, but more of a story of triumph through strength, resilience, and perseverance. "Cleopatra" had none of those elements going for it; just a couple of spoiled rich kids frolicking on the screen at the expense of broken hearts and egos of those involved. I truly do like this film better than "Cleopatra", but then again I like "Spartacus" better than either of these films.
"Ben Hur" tells the tail of a rich noble from outside the Roman social elite who is fallen victim to his friend's own stalworthiness to the adherence of Roman law. The initial tale was a novel with religious overtones, upon which Hollywood picked up on (specifically Warner Brothers, and I think RKO before that for the silent version ... someone correct me there), produced and marketed to the movie going audience. It was a hit.
A bigger hit, and continues to be a classic today (again, moreso than the Burton-Taylor escapade) for the reason that we witness a man fall from grace to rebuild himself once more. And, once there, to triumph like never before.
Older viewers will like this film for its placation to ancient and modern mythologies. Regular film aficionados will like it for its scope, production values, and place in cinema history. That, and simply put, even though Cleopatra had the marvel of spectacle going for it (the sail barge, the magnificent entourage as Taylor first entered Rome, and so forth), Ben Hur is a better film for it reliance on basic cinematic principles. There is no less spectacle here to be sure, but the presentation of characters and setting are far more grounded and connect with the audience than ever could be done in "Cleopatra".
The shortcoming, regrettably, are again the special effects, and specifically the naval miniatures. I mean, it is 1959 after all, but still, surely something could have been done, particularly given that the silent film spare no expense in building a Roman fleet to clash with pirates of the Mediterranean. Other than that, even the dark interior scenes, are superbly lit for the time.
There's lots to say about "Ben Hur", but, simply put, other than "Spartacus", it is the superior sword-and-sandal epic.
Younger viewers will get impatient with its pacing, but older viewers will like it all the same.
Definitely give it a whirl on the DVD player.
p.s. regarding the Krishna (Christian) mythology; the story works without it, but it's there regardless. You religious types will pour over it, but it really is unnecessary, and again, it's a bastardization of imported Indian philosophy to the Roman Empire.