Ben Hur Movie Review
Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith; Directed by William Wyler
Ben-Hur is the story of upper-class nobleman Judah Ben-Hur, whose refusal to help Roman power by betraying his Jewish faith and people cause him much misfortune. The journey Judah takes from exile to vengeance to redemption is amazing to watch, especially when these events are being played out in the foreground of the last four years of Jesus Christ's life on earth. When Judah is first condemned to a life on the seas as a galley slave, a difficult trek through the desert, chained and whipped with other condemned men, nearly kills him. The guards stop at a small town well, but refuse Judah water. When Judah finally finds himself fainting to the ground, a hand reaches down to give him a drink and to pour water over his dusty head. Judah doesn't know who this man is, but when he looks up into the stranger's face, he finds that he has been given "the heart to live". It is this heart of courage and strength that will see Judah survive through imprisonment, shipwreck, personal tragedy, corrosive hate, and chariot races.
This film stands today as one of three that have won a record number of Academy Awards (11 statuettes, alongside with Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King). Though a few minutes of over-acting occasionally mar the story, this film still holds up relatively well and manages to remain timely. It is a thoroughly entertaining ride, full of visual spectacle and intelligent dialogue. It is also a film that will take viewers on an emotional ride. For instance, a singularly heartbreaking turn of events occurs when Judah returns home to seek his mother and sister, who were wrongfully imprisoned at the same time he was exiled. The jailer descends the dank dungeons to discover that they are still alive after four years, but have become lepers. They are not dead, but "might as well be." I always tear up watching the way this resolves.
This is a great film, though a long one. The kind of film best set aside for lazy Sunday afternoons once or twice a year. But you'll hardly notice the amount of time passing, as the storyline keeps you so engaged in its events. This is a triumphant story that attests to everything we love about the movies. Everything plays on your heartstrings; the music, the lighting, the acting, and the direction (particularly an amazingly effective choice never to show the face of Jesus). Don't let this timeless masterpiece pass you by unnoticed.
Grading:
Story = A
Originality = A
DVD Features = N/A
Acting = A-
Enjoyability = A
Visuals = A
Overall = A
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