Ben-Hur

This film is actually a remake of a 1925 film. Ex-General Lew Wallace wrote this during the time when he was territorial governor of NM. It's a great book and it had the potential for a great movie - which director Wyler accomplished. All the top cast, though constrained by the dialog constraints of a Biblical epic, really do their parts well. It's a great effort on many levels - drama, action, a love story and how heroism can be felt and displayed. An awesome and still impressive movie!

A classic. Epic in scope, vintage Heston period piece, and one of the best racing scenes ever filmed.

There has been at least four remakes of this film and NOT ONE has ever, and I don't think it will, surpass this '59 epic film. William Wyler's remake of the biblical tale changed and inspired many of Hollywood's filmmakers to create films that change our view of the world, and perhaps beyond it. It still remains as a work of historical epic cinema. Charlton Heston's performance will forever be remembered as his finest role in his career; I personally consider him the "godfather of all actors".

A beautiful epic about Christ and good old fashioned revenge in the arena. A paradox you say? Perhaps. Heston's performance was one of the most radiant and touching I have seen. Im also a fan of ancient Roman culture, pretty much concluding this as a top 10 all time favorite.

Nobody does Bible flicks like Troy McClure....I mean, Charlton Heston. Don't know if the totally dispensable overtures from the DVD were apart of the theater experience as well, but DAMN! Could this movie have been any effing longer? Not the best chariot scenes ever filmed, but pretty damned good. A surefire staple for the Jesus crowd, and a solid movie for everyone else. But don't watch it on a day when you've got other shit to do.

If they lost some of the first 40 minutes, and all of the last 40, this would be a solid revenge tale. That would probably miss whatever point those 80 minutes were trying to make, though. The chariot race is impressive.

Hyped. For sure a great movie back in 1959, especially the chariot race is epic. However it's one and a half hours too long, there are some quite protracted parts. I also don't see the point of saying "It was great, because all the ideas were new back then" ... could trade my LCD for a black-and-white CRT using the same argument. Nevertheless a solid movie.

Love this film. Sweeping, Majestic, Thrilling, and with Chuck Heston at the helm you can't go wrong!

Personally, I don't think it justifies its nearly 4 hour length, like "Once Upon a Time in America", "Seven Samurai" or "The Irishman". Feels to slow, even for a 1950's epic. But it's huge scope and impact on film as a whole, especially with that magnificent chariot race, most certainly elevates the score. It's just as breath taking today as it was in 1959.

Meh

A fine story, though a bit heavy on the embellishment.

For me, this great film is a reminder of how modern epic films have lost a certain amount of authenticity. The Lord of the Rings trilogy, for example, is terrific but it completely relies on special effects - whereas this film's stunningly massive scale feels even more profound because it's REAL. Real stunts, real sets, real armies of extras. Sure, the acting and dialogue are less than perfect, but if you are distracted by that then you're missing the point.

An extravagant movie directed by a man that knows how to tell a story using film.

MASSIVELY overrated

This goes on for a very long time, a great story.

Mainly for the chariot race scene which was a 100! The rest I appreciated, but definitely seems outdated.

Really big screen entertainment from the 1950s.

Uh, it won an Oscar, is one of the best movies of all time, and you guys don't even have it on your site. Slight oversight.

Host ratings: 70 / 70 / -. (RRR) Podcast review link: https://rydeorwrong.podcaster.de/rydeorwrong/folge-024-cage-match-guarding-tess-vs-bad-lieutenant-ben-hur-a-star-is-born/

wonderful movie