by George Jobson

Mar 12, 2003

"Ben-Hur" is a powerful bible epic from 1959 where the film took home 12 academy awards, including best picture. William Wyler as created such a epic. When he made an epic, he didn't fool around. Every thing was big including the music score by Miklos Rozsa.

The film centers around the life of Ben Hur who lived during the time of Jesus. Charlton Heston played the title role and he played it brilliantly. Ben Hur was sold into slavery after a accident which has killed one of the Roman soldiers. His mother and his sister was sent to live in a lepary colony. He got his freedom back after he saved the life a general. And that led to the famous charriot races.

My favorite scene in the movie. This movie also tells the story of Jesus Christ as connected to Ben Hur's life. One scene as Jesus gave Ben-Hur water when he was refused. And in the end as Jesus went to his death on the cross, Ben-Hur returned the favor. You talk about how powerful this film is, this is big. Ben-Hur" is a must see.

Turner Classic Movies runs the movie all the time. If you allow yourself 10-15 minutes before the film, TCM will run a short on how the famous charriot race sequence was made. 

by Scott Jentsch

Jul 21, 2003

A truly classic epic that can only be really appreciated in all its glory if you can see it in a theater showing the 70mm version.

Movies like this put most current movies to shame.