You know, I have realized that I don’t really like epic movies that much. I understand the purpose of them and they can be quite impressive, but overall I just don’t love them as a film genre. In the silent version of Ben Hur, Ramon Novarro is prone to some serious over-acting as the lead character Ben Hur and Francis Bushman wore way too much lipstick for me to take seriously as the Roman conqueror Messala.
However, there were scenes that literally blew me away, and I suspect if I did some research they would be talked about scenes in other reviews as well. First, we have the scenes in which Ben Hur is a galley slave. The enormity of the ships, the precision of the slaves rowing and then the intense battle scene that breaks out between the pirates and the Romans is truly spectacular.
There is also the famous chariot race scene which really is worth all the hype. Fred Niblo did an amazing job directing it all. I wondered a lot about how they filmed all the people in the coliseum. It’s not like they could use computer generated people to fill in and make it appear as though there were more spectators than reality. I also imagined sitting in a theater in 1926 witnessing the race for the first time on the big screen, literally on the edge of my seat from all the excitement. Yes, it was exciting even though you know Ben Hur defeats his nemesis Messala.
Overall, what I enjoyed most about Ben Hur were the sets. They were lavish and, well, epic. I give it 3 out of 5 stars on Netflix.
Juror #3 says:
If the 1959 remake of Ben-Hur is supposed to be the "classic" then I can not wait to watch it. I'll start this review with the only negative thing I have to say - the last half hour of the movie, although emotionally dramatic, drags on too long, But this may be due to the fact that the climax of the film, the famous chariot race, is so edge-of-your-seat good that anything after it seems, well, boring. The movie takes place during the time of Christ and begins at his birth. Ben-Hur is a Jewish prince that accidentally injures a high-ranking Roman and is betrayed by a Roman friend - the consequence which is a life sentence to work in the galley's, and separation from his mother and sister. That's the set-up to this epic tale which leads Ben-Hur to a life in search of vengeance. Along the way he finds love, courage, and honor eventually leading to the vengeance he so badly yearned.
Ben-Hur is an amazing story with poetic dialogue boards and unbelievable action. I kept wondering how in the world they filmed something like this in 1925. Wasn't it dangerous? Was this the first movie with "film tricks"? So I looked it up and here is what Wikipedia had to say: Ben-Hur is the most expensive silent film ever made. Shooting began in Italy in 1923, starting two years of difficulties, accidents, and eventually a move back to Hollywood. When filming the chariot scene, the drivers were careful and slow, which disappointed the Producer. To make it more exciting, he offered $100 to the winner, and the resulting heated competition led to the horrendous crash that remains in the movie. Several horses were killed during the production. That and another fatal accident led to the changes in rules of filming and film safety. So there you have it.
The other interesting element of the film is the portrayal of Christ which is intertwined throughout, maybe a little too heavily in the end. My guess is that the 1959 version will have omitted much of this, but it was an important part of explaining Ben-Hur's enduring strength - he was living to help a chosen leader save his people. One last thing - Christ is never actually fully shown on-screen which adds to his mystique and power, a fantastic choice by the Director. Considering when this movie was made I can't help but give it 5/5 stars and eagerly await the viewing of the 1959 version.
Ben-Hur is an amazing story with poetic dialogue boards and unbelievable action. I kept wondering how in the world they filmed something like this in 1925. Wasn't it dangerous? Was this the first movie with "film tricks"? So I looked it up and here is what Wikipedia had to say: Ben-Hur is the most expensive silent film ever made. Shooting began in Italy in 1923, starting two years of difficulties, accidents, and eventually a move back to Hollywood. When filming the chariot scene, the drivers were careful and slow, which disappointed the Producer. To make it more exciting, he offered $100 to the winner, and the resulting heated competition led to the horrendous crash that remains in the movie. Several horses were killed during the production. That and another fatal accident led to the changes in rules of filming and film safety. So there you have it.
The other interesting element of the film is the portrayal of Christ which is intertwined throughout, maybe a little too heavily in the end. My guess is that the 1959 version will have omitted much of this, but it was an important part of explaining Ben-Hur's enduring strength - he was living to help a chosen leader save his people. One last thing - Christ is never actually fully shown on-screen which adds to his mystique and power, a fantastic choice by the Director. Considering when this movie was made I can't help but give it 5/5 stars and eagerly await the viewing of the 1959 version.
