Ben-Hur

HUGE

Besides it’s nearly 50 year reign as the Oscar champion with 11 academy awards (James Cameron’s Titanic did manage to tie in 97), William Wyler’s superb 1959 adaptation of General Lew Wallace’s novel defines the word epic in every sense. Upon it’s release, Ben-Hur received critical acclaim throughout the world and is still regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time.

Actor Charlton Heston is in top form rendering another brilliant, passionate performance reminiscent of Moses in The Ten Commandments, as the Jewish aristocrat Judah Ben-Hur, a man of great wealth and influence among his fellow Judeans. When his boyhood friend, Masala (Stephen Boyd) returns as a Roman Tribune, he is, at first, overjoyed at seeing him again. But it does not take long for Judah to see the apparent change in his old friend who once saved his life.

Masala’s body, soul and spirit has been totally corrupted by the humanistic arrogance of the Roman Empire. During his visit to Judah’s home he excitedly recounts the various bloody campaigns leading to “glorious” victories over whole civilizations; much to the chagrin of Judah , his mother Miriam and his sister Tirzah. When he tries to convince Ju to betray his own people the Jewish prince adamantly draws the line right there. Their friendship is over. They part ways. After which he condemns Judah to the gallows , Miriam and Tirzah to prison for trying to kill the new governor though he knows it was an accident.

Thus begins Judah Ben-Hur’s journey, stripped of his royalty and enduring the miserable suffering of being a galley slave. Until the Lord Himself intervenes with a miraculous turn of events.

William Wyler, director of such classics as Wuthering Heights and Roman Holiday, guides you through these events, keeping your attention for it’s 3 hour and 42 minute unfolding. Any motion picture that maintains my awareness for that length of time, I consider a masterpiece. Wyler’s casting prospects included Burt Lancaster, Paul Newman and Leslie Nielsen. But it was Heston and Boyd who eventually made the grade and Wyler elicits fine performances from both actors as well as the rest of the cast. Of course, the most intense scene is the chariot race which actually was directed by legendary stuntman Yakima Canutt, took 5 weeks to film and definitely stands alone as being the one scene that makes Ben-Hur worth seeing.

This is old fashioned film making at it’s best since there was no such thing as cgi back in 1959. So realism is prominent; real horses, real chariots and real men dashing precariously about a wide dust ridden track in the center of a huge coliseum. Judah and Masala finish their battle here. And it is just as powerful as the race itself. No holds are barred in this competition where men are killed.

Robert Surtees’ lavish cinematography enhances the mood of Ben-Hur throughout. He skillfully applies the art of contrasting shadows and soft lighting when profiling Esther (Haya Harareet) inside the family Hur courtyard at eventide. I was especially impressed with how he worked so diligently with Wyler on (again) the chariot race and the various angles and close-ups he used.

Thanks to the remarkable artistic achievements of production designer Vittorio Valentini (uncredited), art director Edward Carfagno and costume designer Elizabeth Haffenden, this monumental film shines, uniting everyone’s efforts with beautiful period sets and attire appropriate for all characters.

Another artistic element we as a movie audience hear but don’t necessarily listen to, is the music. Nevertheless, it is an integral part of film making that most movies could not do without. From the opening scenes to the climax, a film’s score provides it’s emotional drive.

Miklos Rosza’s breathtaking orchestral score for this epic is as much a work of art as the film itself. With maximum use of the brass section supplemented by strong delicate rhythms from the strings, Rozsa’s music consummates all of the above making the sound track one of the most beautiful scores ever composed.

Ben-Hur is one of my favorite motion pictures of all time. It will always be a testament to that exceptional kind of film making, bringing all essential elements together into an ideal masterpiece and a grand visual experience.