Re-posted by N.S.
“why Ben-Hur still looks like a trillion bucks”
“Ben-Hur (1959) isn’t just a great movie—it’s a miracle of filmmaking. In this video, we take a closer look at why it still holds up as one of the most visually spectacular and emotionally powerful films ever made. From the epic scale of its production to the groundbreaking cinematography and timeless music, this is the story of how Ben-Hur became cinema legend. Watch till the end to see why it still matters today.”
N.S.: Splendid, splendid! When I was young, I didn't think much of this picture. With my second viewing, years ago, it started to grow on me. I saw it for the third time a few years ago, with my boy, and was amazed. The last third or so of the picture—the trial and crucifixion of Jesus—was a series of recreations of some of the greatest artworks ever painted, living paintings.
And yet, I learned so much from you (although I couldn’t grasp some of the technical info, but that’s on me, not you) that I now think even more of Willi Wyler’s epic accomplishment.
You made two minor errors: The original silent was released in 1925, not 1929, and at around 9:50, you referred to Charlton Heston (aka “Chuck”) as “Charles Heston.”
Wyler: “It took a Jew to make a really good movie about Christ.”
Miklós Rózsa – Ben-Hur (Full Album)
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6 comments:
I've never seen it. Just not my thing. Show people in rush hour traffic pulling similar stunts and I'd probably watch
(not guaranteed though). My buddy likes to watch cops chase crooks on a highway,on youtube,but after seeing a couple of them,I never clicked on another one.
--GRA
I also was disappointed when I first saw it on TV. Unfortunately, I didn't like it much better when I saw it again more recently- if I sit through it again, will it "grow on me"? Wyler's style is static- there's one scene between Heston and Stephen Boyd (a fine actor who died tragically young) that seems to go on for 10 minutes without a cut or camera movement- that's theatre, not film! As for the "million dollar production"- I became a fan of the noted film historian William K. Everson at a young age, when, in one of his books, he said that the Lydecker brothers' miniature work over at Republic put to shame much of the stuff done by major studios- such as the toy-boats-in-a-bathtub sea battles in BEN HUR! The chariot race however is incredible, and of course has nothing to do with Wyler- it was directed by Andrew Marton, with the greatest stuntman ever, Yakima Canutt, as stunt director (Marton got mad 'cause Yak was going around taking credit for the whole thing!). Marton was an incredible talent who worked totally uncredited as MGM's 2nd-unit director throughout the 40s. In WHISTLING IN BROOKLYN, there's a scene with a chain of people hanging down into an elevator shaft, which looks frighteningly real, and BAD BASCOMB has some of the best action scenes ever including the 2nd-best Indian raid ever filmed (the first was in Fuller's RUN OF THE ARROW). Marton graduated to director with the popular KING SOLOMON'S MINES, and has to his credit CRACK IN THE WORLD, a terrific and under-rated SF movie, one of my favorites.
The performances are fine, and no argument about Rozsa's wonderful music- but except for the chariot race, I liked the silent version better!
And- SPARTACUS should have been the movie to get all the awards!
-RM
Some great Biblical-spectacle type movies, if GRA (or anybody) is interested-
The uncut version of DeMille's SIGN OF THE CROSS has Laughton's great performance as Nero, a lesbian seduction scene, and an absolutely terrifying climax of the Christians being attacked by lions (no wonder it was censored till recent years!). Oh yeah, Fredric March is pretty damn good also!
SAMSON AND DELILAH- DeMille again, and pretty powerful. Victor Mature's greatest performance; his pain after being blinded is nearly unbearable. Much better production values than BEN HUR- special effects by John Fulton, who created THE INVISIBLE MAN and parted the Red Sea in DeMille's 10 C0MMANDMENTS. The destruction of the temple is spectacular!
QUO VADIS- quasi-remake of SIGN OF THE CROSS tones down the sex and violence, has Peter Ustinov as Nero doing a fair impression of Laughton. Another impressive production- I believe this was the first Hollywood movie shot at Italy's enormous Cinecitta studio. Buddy Baer facing the bull in the arena to save the heroine's life is pure classic! AND- another great score by Miklos Rozsa!
-RM
Andrew Marton,hmmm? Great,obscure info,RM. In Marton's case,maybe he was satisfied with only having a hand in small areas of films and filmmaking--the "Peter Principle" possibly known in his own mind already.
--GRA
There's a book-length interview with him, conducted by the DGA and published by Scarecrow Press. Probably hard to find now- checked Ebay, it's not there. Don't remember why he didn't go on to bigger things- KING SOLOMON'S MINES was a BIG hit! That's a movie I didn't like at first, but which grew on me- it has a low-key, almost documentary-like quality that gradually immerses you in the strange culture encountered by the protagonists. The climax is really an anti-climax, which is realistic but possibly why I didn't like it at first.
-RM
Forgive a bit more blathering- despite my reservations about BEN HUR, I'm glad it still has a devoted following- I'm glad ANY old movie still has a following in this late stage of history! Remember when some jackass directed a remake about 10 years ago, of course with digital effects, and it bombed big time? He actually said that with modern technology, a GIRL could sit down with a computer and create a remake of BEN HUR! I don't think the guy has been heard from since....
-RM
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