It's great to see such an enthusiastic reaction from a young person to a movie that was made before he was born. I first saw this film in 1959 when I was twelve, our grade six class was taken to a matinee. The effect it had on me was overwhelming and remembered to this day. I have rewatched it many times since and have been listening to the stunningly beautiful score by Miklos Rozsa for all these years.
Have watched this film many, many times, in the theatre and on TV, I'm 71 years old. The most moving scene to me is one with one line .... The Roman Captain says "I Said NO Water for Him!" and the look on his face as he looks into the eyes of Jesus says it all.
Great review Rodney. This is my all time favorite movie, and you did a strong job of pointing out its power and sweep. You may be interested in watching the movie that won Charlton Heston the role in Ben-Hur, the film called The Big Country, also directed by William Wyler. It is also one of the greatest movies ever made, and says a lot about what it means to be a man in any generation. You made some excellent insights on this classic.
Director Anthony Mann came up in Film Noir, then directed a series of hard-bitten westerns with James Stewart. Universal selected him to film Sparticus but Kirk Douglas wanted to work with t went off to Spain with a chip on his shoulder and filmed the story of the greatest medieval knight, Rodigo Diaz of Bivar called the Cid, the Lord. If you liked Ben-Hur, you'll love El Cid. He also directed The Fall of the Roman Empire, a disastrous failure that ended the genre until it was remade and improved by Ridley Scott as the movie Gladiator.
‘Ben-Hur’ is THE most honoured film of all time. Why? Because it won TWO of its’ Academy Awards for Acting, which is a higher category than current CGI… Absolutely brilliant film in every way. The ‘Chariot Race’ alone took three months’ to film. It all worked beautifully! The musical score by Miklos Rosza is perfection! Other American actors’ were tried out for the lead role, & ‘failed’, so Director Wyler moved Charlton Heston from his first choice as Messala, to Judah Ben-Hur, in a piece of inspiration. Over a time span of 30 years’, I’d the great privilege, & honour to meet Mr Heston, & his beautiful wife, Lydia, many times’. They were both fabulous down-to-earth people, & a joy to be in conversation with. They’re both gone now. RIP
Ben Hur is my dad's favorite film. I haven't seen it yet but I will soon. You should check out Mrs. Miniver if you are a fan of Wyler. It's pretty good. Thanks for classic film recommendation:)
It's great to see such an enthusiastic reaction from a young person to a movie that was made before he was born. I first saw this film in 1959 when I was twelve, our grade six class was taken to a matinee. The effect it had on me was overwhelming and remembered to this day. I have rewatched it many times since and have been listening to the stunningly beautiful score by Miklos Rozsa for all these years.
You are so fortunate too have seen this on its original release, I appreciate the kind comment
Have watched this film many, many times, in the theatre and on TV, I'm 71 years old. The most moving scene to me is one with one line .... The Roman Captain says "I Said NO Water for Him!" and the look on his face as he looks into the eyes of Jesus says it all.
It's s fantastic film, you ste so lucky. And yes, the scene with the Roman is so powerful
Great review Rodney. This is my all time favorite movie, and you did a strong job of pointing out its power and sweep. You may be interested in watching the movie that won Charlton Heston the role in Ben-Hur, the film called The Big Country, also directed by William Wyler. It is also one of the greatest movies ever made, and says a lot about what it means to be a man in any generation. You made some excellent insights on this classic.
Thanks and thank you for the recommendation, I'll have to watch it,
Director Anthony Mann came up in Film Noir, then directed a series of hard-bitten westerns with James Stewart. Universal selected him to film Sparticus but Kirk Douglas wanted to work with t went off to Spain with a chip on his shoulder and filmed the story of the greatest medieval knight, Rodigo Diaz of Bivar called the Cid, the Lord. If you liked Ben-Hur, you'll love El Cid. He also directed The Fall of the Roman Empire, a disastrous failure that ended the genre until it was remade and improved by Ridley Scott as the movie Gladiator.
Nice
‘Ben-Hur’ is THE most honoured film of all time. Why? Because it won TWO of its’ Academy Awards for Acting, which is a higher category than current CGI…
Absolutely brilliant film in every way. The ‘Chariot Race’ alone took three months’ to film. It all worked beautifully! The musical score by Miklos Rosza is perfection!
Other American actors’ were tried out for the lead role, & ‘failed’, so Director Wyler moved Charlton Heston from his first choice as Messala, to Judah Ben-Hur, in a piece of inspiration.
Over a time span of 30 years’, I’d the great privilege, & honour to meet Mr Heston, & his beautiful wife, Lydia, many times’. They were both fabulous down-to-earth people, & a joy to be in conversation with. They’re both gone now. RIP
This has to be one of my favorite comments I've ever had
Have you seen El Cid with Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren directed by Anthony Mann?
No, is it good? Would you recommend it?
Directed by Anthony Mann, if you liked Ben Hur, you'll love El Cid.@@rodneybrushwoodllreviews1616
Ben Hur is my dad's favorite film. I haven't seen it yet but I will soon. You should check out Mrs. Miniver if you are a fan of Wyler. It's pretty good. Thanks for classic film recommendation:)
Awesome, thanks for the recommendation.
I actually haven’t seen this myself. I wonder if because it’s in the 50s and over three hours that more modern audiences don’t sit down to watch it.
Yeah it's definitely long but I think it holds up if you don't mind the runtime
@@rodneybrushwoodllreviews1616 Many of the Longer 3 hour Epic films from the 50's and 60's are quite good!
Let's don't mince words "modern audience" is code name for dumb.
This is one looooooong movie, but it has always been one of my favorites.
Truth, it's worth it
……run time 3h53m……27050feet of film……all was needed for this huge story……
An amazing film.
By all means