Ben Hur Movie Review

When Ben-Hur was released in 1959 it was a sensation taking home a record eleven Oscars (a mark that has been tied but not beaten to this day). However for good reasons many people are wary of judging a film solely on its Oscar success. So did the movie deserve its eleven wins and all the hype that surrounded it? More importantly, does this classic big budget epic hold up for present day viewers? The answer to both questions is a resounding yes. Its awe inspiring audacity hasn’t faded away over the years and its story is still as big and bold as it was on opening night.
The film tells the story of Ben-Hur a rich Jewish nobleman living in Jerusalem during its occupation by the Romans. When Ben-Hur is mistakenly accused of an assassination attempt on the new Roman governor’s life he is betrayed by his old friend and sentenced to die as a galley slave. However the hero is not destined to die in the galleys and through a series of events rises back to power in order to challenge his old rival and save Jerusalem. The story is based off a novel by the same name and as the extended title (A Tale of the Christ) would suggest his plight is mirrored by that of Jesus Christ. Those familiar with their biblical history will likely appreciate the religious allusions but the movie’s merits are such that it can stand on its own and be enjoyed no matter what your beliefs.
The acting is solid throughout, with Charlton Heston providing a great performance in the lead role. However it is the direction and massive scope of the scenes that really set this movie apart. The sets are some of the grandest ever conceived, Ben-Hur’s entrance into Rome is awe inspiring while the arena for the chariot race was well worth being the largest set ever built at the time. There are numerous scenes throughout the film that will be memorable but it is hard to compare anything against the seventeen minute chariot race which should be considered one of the greatest action sequences of all time.
All this grandeur does come at a cost and like most historical epics this one features a substantial running time. Clocking in at over 3 hours the film’s length might scare some viewers away but if you don’t have that block of time to spare, or if you tend to get restless don’t worry you can always break your viewing up into more digestible segments and the movie won’t suffer for it. My version even included a built in intermission. If you have the time to spare, be sure to check out this great film.