Roman365 Directory

"Ben-Hur" is a massive, sprawling MGM epic set in the first century AD, during the life of Christ. Directed by William Wyler, the film plods along for most of its 212 minutes, marginally good but lacking in humor, action, or spark. There are solemn religious overtones and the usual stereotypes in Roman epics (The bad, corrupt Romans; The good, oppressed Jews).

Historians will know that the Roman empire ruled the Earth at the time Christ was born and that's how 'Ben-Hur' begins its story. I wish ABC television would show this film every year at Easter instead of the inferior 'The Ten Commandments' which has nothing to do with Christ while 'Ben-Hur's' climax takes place on Good Friday during Christ's crucifixion and ends with a triumphant re-birth of the human spirit for the mortals in the film.

" When one thinks of cinematic epics, Ben-Hur is easily one of the most frequently recalled! This 1959 William Wyler presentation won 11 Academy Awards! Long (it's 3 hours and 31 minutes), it still holds its audience attentive.

A Jewish prince is oppressed by the evil Romans during the time of Christ, but fights back bravely, eventually confronting his former friend and now arch-enemy in a climactic chariot race. This classic 1950s spectacle is entertaining and truly a sight to behold, even if the story is shallow.

One of the great movie spectacles, BEN HUR is a tour de force for Heston. In remaking the silent classic (1927, with Ramon Novarro and Francis X. Bushman), quality-conscious director Wyler presented a modern interpretation of the 1880 novel by General Lew Wallace.

Ben-Hur (1959) is MGM's three and a half hour, wide-screen epic Technicolor blockbuster - a Biblical tale, subtitled A Tale of the Christ. Director William Wyler's film was a remake of the spectacular 1925 silent film of the same name by the same studio. Both were adapted from the novel (first published in 1880) by General Lew Wallace.

When a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.

A Jewish nobleman in Palestine is drawn into a heroic odyssey that includes enslavement by the Romans, a bold escape from an embattle slave gallery, vengenance against his tormentores during a furious arena chariot race and fateful encounters with Jesus Christ.

The Ben-Hur Museum is located in the private study of Maj. General Lew. Wallace, the author of Ben-Hur. The museum contains items collected by General Wallace during his life as an author, soldier, statesman, artist, violinist and inventor.

Made for 15 million dollars in 1959, 'Ben-Hur' stands the test of time and is an example of how the screen epic must be presented. Lavish in its presentation, it ranks highly as a favourite among fans of the biblical genre while critics over the years have had mixed feelings about it.

Predictable but magnificent and satisfying. In remaking the silent 1927 classic, which starred Ramon Novarro and Francis X. Bushman, quality-conscious director Wyler shines the old chestnut up. Highlights include the galley ship and climatic chariot race with Heston--in a tour de force performance--besieged by the sexy but evil Boyd.