Ben-Hur (1959) ****

Rating: 10/10 (11 June 2004)

I've always loved this film, but I recently realized a longtime dream come true by finally getting to see it on the big screen at a revival in New York City. How do you even attempt to write mere words to express how deeply you feel about a motion picture which you've singled out to be literally the one Greatest Film Of All Time? It's not easy.
This larger than life epic begins as rich Jewish Prince Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston, in a deserved Academy Award winning portrayal) reunites with his Roman boyhood friend Messala (Stephen Boyd), who Judah has learned has become second in command to the new governor in the conquest of Judah's own homeland, Judea. Their pleasantly emotional reunion takes a turn for the worst when it is learned that Messala is trying to convince Ben-Hur to act against his own people by turning over the names of his fellow brothers who are speaking out against the new regime. Through a series of events, a dejected Messala falsely arrests Judah for a crime he didn't commit and sentences him to die in the galleys as a condemned slave. But Judah tries to stay alive long enough to return for vengeance, ultimately challenging Messala in the action-filled chariot race, which is still possibly THE most awesome spectacle ever put onto celluloid. Along his way, Judah periodically crosses paths with Jesus Christ who begins to have a profound affect on his life and his sensibilities.
That very brief summarization in no way does this masterpiece justice, but is just a general idea of the basic story. I find BEN-HUR to be impeccably directed by William Wyler, a man who was known to drive his actors very hard to the point of exhaustion in order to get the very best performances. His efforts show themselves powerfully in each and every frame of this three and a half hour experience, which is also an accomplishment in that it doesn't feel anywhere near that long. This is a highly emotional film for the senses, which covers a plethora of feelings -- the struggle between good and evil; the thin line drawn between love and hate; the destructive outcomes fueled by anger and personal vendettas; the power of spirituality; the glory of forgiveness; the salvation of the heart; the hope for tomorrow.
Beautifully underlining each and every heart-touching moment is the magnificent award-winning musical score by Miklos Rozsa, one of the most uplifting ever heard. Every actor gives his all to the movie, and that includes not only Heston but Stephen Boyd as well, who is flawless in his villainous part as the evil Tribune who is so obsessed with power and so hurt by rejection that he is almost not to blame for his cruel actions. Jack Hawkins is superb as Arrius, a senior Roman Commander on Ben-Hur's slave ship who admires the younger man's fortitude. Hugh Griffith is a joy as the humorous Sheik Ilderim (he also won an Oscar), and the often-underrated Haya Harareet is genuinely touching in all of her scenes.
This is what's missing from the majority of cinema today (and has been for a long time). A film the likes of which we never see anymore, one which arouses every fiber of your being and speaks to your soul. Moments of this film are so deeply emotional, I cry. A truly excellent and inspirational motion picture by which all others might be judged. Uncontestable winner of 11 Academy Awards. **** out of ****