I think a lot of the wide shots, especially when he’s in the coliseum and Rome, use paintings in the backgrounds and they integrated it with actual shots of the actors, it’s incredible!
Thank you Austin, absolutely one of the best and certainly most enthusiastic reviews, and this movie certainly deserves it. I was eight years old when I first saw this movie, I’ve seen it over a dozen times since then and it never ever disappoints, it’s always seems as thrilling and spectacular as the first time. There’s nothing I can add to your review because you’ve summed it up beautifully but it a movie one needs to experience to believe it. Thanks again Austin
A truly amazing and unforgettable epic. But I think even almost as impressive as the movie itself was how you managed in your review of the films key plot points to somehow never once mention the name of Jesus Christ --- after all, it is his story (though having little screen time), that intersects with that of Ben-Hur's at key junctures in the film and eventually brings the story to an immensely memorable and emotionally moving conclusion. Perhaps you considered it somewhat of a spoiler, but the film itself resolves that issue early on with it's opening credits subtitle (A Tale of the Christ). Or perhaps it's just that many people today, for whatever reason, are so touchy about religion, that you felt it was best not to mention that aspect of this film at all. You were able to weave around that masterfully. Thank you very much for your wonderful and insightful review --- your uncontained, gushing enthusiasm shows throughout. And rightly so --- in my personal opinion, this is the greatest film of all time.
When my family and I watched Ben Hur, we'd just use the Overture and Entr'Acte as an opportunity to stretch our legs, grab more snacks and use the washroom. Which I'm guessing people in the theaters might've done back then, since the movie was so long!
That was actually the point of the overtures to operas and even some theater plays back in the day. An overture is literally an "opening," and it's intended to get people to their seats and have them settle down so that the actual show can begin. Old-time opera goers were a sociable and downright rambunctious crowd, and the actual play and music were only part of the evening's entertainment!
"Cinematic" is the perfect term to describe the great Ben Hur. It's one of the greatest triumphs of the old-style epic movie genre, and it's also the best "sword and sandal film" by a long shot. (The Ten Commandments, even though it also stars Charlton Heston, is a bit of a chore to watch, IMHO.) Even Gladiator, a film I love, just barely nips at its heels. The incredible chariot race remains unsurpassed. As amazing as modern CGI is, it can never replace actual sweat and brawn, and Ben Hur has plenty of that!
I have seen this movie three times, and it is one of the most glorious epics I have ever seen. The third time I saw it, I actually saw it in theaters in 2019, as Turner Classic Movies and Fandango did a special screening event to celebrate its 60th anniversary, and it was absolutely incredible. This film pretty much deserved every Oscar it won, without a doubt. If there was one thing that I could've changed about the film, it would've been this. I personally wish Stephen Boyd had been nominated for and won Best Supporting Actor for this film for his performance as Messala instead of Hugh Griffith for his performance as Sheik Ilderim. Boyd, I feel, had better chemistry with Charlton Heston, and a better performance than Hugh Griffith, plus, unlike Hugh Griffith, he didn't have to wear blackface makeup for the role. Yes, I'm aware blackface makeup was common in the 1950s, but that doesn't meant it was okay, and it's jarring to watch from a modern-day perspective. Aside from the whole blackface issue with Hugh Griffith's casting, the movie is still an epic masterpiece of cinema in every sense of the word, just so we're clear, and it absolutely should be studied by all film school students as mandatory viewing.
@@raymondwatt9773 I feel like you can acknowledge an older film is a classic and admit it has problematic elements, too. I feel like waving them aside with the excuse of "It was a different time back then" isn't good enough. For example, Breakfast At Tiffany's is still hailed as one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time, but even its biggest fans acknowledge that Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi is one of the most racist casting decisions in film history. Also, in Lawrence Of Arabia, Alec Guinness plays an Arabian prince, in brownface makeup. Guinness was a talented actor, and while I also acknowledge the film as a masterpiece, there is absolutely no way a white actor like him would or should be allowed to play such a role today.
@@alexmeyer5260 Frankly I think Gone With The Wind is one of the greatest films ever made. Now if it was made in 2021 than the complaints would be valid. However it was made in 1939 and it was actually quite progressive by 1939 standards.
@@raymondwatt9773 And I agree it was progressive by 1939 standards, but at the same time, it's impossible for me personally to not view it through a modern-day lens too. I don't believe in writing off old films automatically because they're not as progressive by 2021 standards, but I believe problematic elements of a film should always be acknowledged.
@@alexmeyer5260 I mean I think it's status as a great film shouldn't change even if it's not up to 2021 standards. Obviously if you're uncomfortable with it I'm not going to tell you you shouldn't be. But Gone With The Wind certainly isn't Birth of a Nation
Several of the academy awards that Titanic and return of the King won didn't exist back when Ben-Hur was made and so they don't really count as a record tie.
A little trivia for you, Austin. Hugh Griffith who was in this, played the Magistrate in “Oliver!”. And that film also won the Oscar for Best Picture. Great review, mate.
William Wyler, Director of Ben-Hur, is probably the best Director of the classic era of Hollywood. More than any other reason, Wyler is the reason Ben-Hur is the masterpiece it is.
Here is some wonderful trivia about this EPIC of Epics. I first saw this movie when I was in 5th grade on CBS TV. I heard so much about this movie and I was completely overwhelmed by the magnificence of Charlton Heston when I first saw The 10 Commandments. I would constantly be looking in the TV Guide magazine for Ben Hur and finally there it was, a special, magnificent 2 page center TV Guide spread showing Charlton Heston and his magnificent 4 astonishingly beautiful Arabian white horses with the bold, white words on the top pages that read, Against the might, the decadence, the awesome fury of imperial Rome, one man's heroic struggle and triumph, Ben-Hur." It was only a handful of movies that was so unique, so special and so powerful that it was broadcast only once every four years on TV. I bought Mr.Heston's autobiography at Book Soup in Hollywood and he personally autographed my copy which to this day is one of my prized possessions!😀 If you can find it, I highly recommend it as he goes into great detail what it took to make that movie, especially 6 months to train and prepare for the chariot race!!!!
You know? The reason why BH59's ending hits the spot... is because BH has already killed his enemy and still feels hate. He redirects his hate against the institution his enemy represented, and declares war on the Imperium. It's Esther who pushes and pushes him to get back from the dark into the light (then people say there weren't strong females in classic movies), and then Esther manages to make him go and look for Jesus. BH repents, and forgives, while watching Jesus die. And he repents and forgives without knowing that his sister an mother have been cured. The cure is then, not a random thing that happens because Jesus died, but a consequence of him forgiving his enemies. And that is why it's powerful, because it's earned after much suffering and having to reinvent himself. Good job mate!
@@AustinPPutnam You’ve got to see it! It’s one of the most beautifully constructed films I’ve ever seen and Peter O’Toole gives a brilliant performance in it.
@@Dan-ce1oh He probably would've won the Oscar for Best Actor that year if it weren't for Gregory Peck in To Kill A Mockingbird, but to be fair, Peck deserved that Oscar 100% and it's one of the greatest Oscar wins of all time.
@@alexmeyer5260 Yeah that’s another fantastic film Lean is one of my favorite directors and Brief Encounter and Lawrence of Arabia are in my top 10. I feel O’Toole should’ve won the best actor Oscar for either Beckett or The lion in winter.
I think a lot of the wide shots, especially when he’s in the coliseum and Rome, use paintings in the backgrounds and they integrated it with actual shots of the actors, it’s incredible!
Couldn't agree more. This film is a work of art!
Yeah. Before CGI. They actually had to a lot of practical stuff.
Thank you Austin, absolutely one of the best and certainly most enthusiastic reviews, and this movie certainly deserves it. I was eight years old when I first saw this movie, I’ve seen it over a dozen times since then and it never ever disappoints, it’s always seems as thrilling and spectacular as the first time. There’s nothing I can add to your review because you’ve summed it up beautifully but it a movie one needs to experience to believe it. Thanks again Austin
Ben-Hur: 6/5! The Greatest Historical Epic in Motion Picture History! The greatest film to come out of the 1950's! A timeless masterpiece!
Can’t believe this movie is over half a century old!
The greatest Hollywood Biblical epic also.
Ben-Hur 1959 is the rare 11/10 film. It's perfect.
#RAMMINGSPEEEEEEEED
A truly amazing and unforgettable epic. But I think even almost as impressive as the movie itself was how you managed in your review of the films key plot points to somehow never once mention the name of Jesus Christ --- after all, it is his story (though having little screen time), that intersects with that of Ben-Hur's at key junctures in the film and eventually brings the story to an immensely memorable and emotionally moving conclusion. Perhaps you considered it somewhat of a spoiler, but the film itself resolves that issue early on with it's opening credits subtitle (A Tale of the Christ). Or perhaps it's just that many people today, for whatever reason, are so touchy about religion, that you felt it was best not to mention that aspect of this film at all. You were able to weave around that masterfully. Thank you very much for your wonderful and insightful review --- your uncontained, gushing enthusiasm shows throughout. And rightly so --- in my personal opinion, this is the greatest film of all time.
Thank you so much for watching! I just wanted to talk about one of my favorite movies.
When my family and I watched Ben Hur, we'd just use the Overture and Entr'Acte as an opportunity to stretch our legs, grab more snacks and use the washroom.
Which I'm guessing people in the theaters might've done back then, since the movie was so long!
They definitely had to!
You can also grab a smoke 🚬 in the lobby.
That was actually the point of the overtures to operas and even some theater plays back in the day. An overture is literally an "opening," and it's intended to get people to their seats and have them settle down so that the actual show can begin. Old-time opera goers were a sociable and downright rambunctious crowd, and the actual play and music were only part of the evening's entertainment!
Absolutely love Ben-Hur it’s in my top 100 favorite films of all time!
In my top 20! Such an amazing movie!
My personal favorite part of the score is Esther. Beautiful, makes you feel love, joy and happiness.
Ben-Hur is also one of my favorite films of all time.
"Cinematic" is the perfect term to describe the great Ben Hur. It's one of the greatest triumphs of the old-style epic movie genre, and it's also the best "sword and sandal film" by a long shot. (The Ten Commandments, even though it also stars Charlton Heston, is a bit of a chore to watch, IMHO.) Even Gladiator, a film I love, just barely nips at its heels. The incredible chariot race remains unsurpassed. As amazing as modern CGI is, it can never replace actual sweat and brawn, and Ben Hur has plenty of that!
I have seen this movie three times, and it is one of the most glorious epics I have ever seen. The third time I saw it, I actually saw it in theaters in 2019, as Turner Classic Movies and Fandango did a special screening event to celebrate its 60th anniversary, and it was absolutely incredible. This film pretty much deserved every Oscar it won, without a doubt.
If there was one thing that I could've changed about the film, it would've been this. I personally wish Stephen Boyd had been nominated for and won Best Supporting Actor for this film for his performance as Messala instead of Hugh Griffith for his performance as Sheik Ilderim. Boyd, I feel, had better chemistry with Charlton Heston, and a better performance than Hugh Griffith, plus, unlike Hugh Griffith, he didn't have to wear blackface makeup for the role. Yes, I'm aware blackface makeup was common in the 1950s, but that doesn't meant it was okay, and it's jarring to watch from a modern-day perspective.
Aside from the whole blackface issue with Hugh Griffith's casting, the movie is still an epic masterpiece of cinema in every sense of the word, just so we're clear, and it absolutely should be studied by all film school students as mandatory viewing.
The thing is I don't like judging old classic movies by modern standards.
@@raymondwatt9773 I feel like you can acknowledge an older film is a classic and admit it has problematic elements, too. I feel like waving them aside with the excuse of "It was a different time back then" isn't good enough. For example, Breakfast At Tiffany's is still hailed as one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time, but even its biggest fans acknowledge that Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi is one of the most racist casting decisions in film history.
Also, in Lawrence Of Arabia, Alec Guinness plays an Arabian prince, in brownface makeup. Guinness was a talented actor, and while I also acknowledge the film as a masterpiece, there is absolutely no way a white actor like him would or should be allowed to play such a role today.
@@alexmeyer5260 Frankly I think Gone With The Wind is one of the greatest films ever made. Now if it was made in 2021 than the complaints would be valid. However it was made in 1939 and it was actually quite progressive by 1939 standards.
@@raymondwatt9773 And I agree it was progressive by 1939 standards, but at the same time, it's impossible for me personally to not view it through a modern-day lens too. I don't believe in writing off old films automatically because they're not as progressive by 2021 standards, but I believe problematic elements of a film should always be acknowledged.
@@alexmeyer5260 I mean I think it's status as a great film shouldn't change even if it's not up to 2021 standards. Obviously if you're uncomfortable with it I'm not going to tell you you shouldn't be. But Gone With The Wind certainly isn't Birth of a Nation
Several of the academy awards that Titanic and return of the King won didn't exist back when Ben-Hur was made and so they don't really count as a record tie.
A little trivia for you, Austin. Hugh Griffith who was in this, played the Magistrate in “Oliver!”. And that film also won the Oscar for Best Picture. Great review, mate.
Thank you, Thomas!
How many "one particular" things are being pointed out here?
Yakima Kanute(spelling?) was in charge of stunts his son did the chariot stunt. He is considered the father of stuntman as a profession
William Wyler, Director of Ben-Hur, is probably the best Director of the classic era of Hollywood. More than any other reason, Wyler is the reason Ben-Hur is the masterpiece it is.
He has more Oscar nominations for Best Director than any other director, with 12, winning 3 times out of those nominations.
Here is some wonderful trivia about this EPIC of Epics. I first saw this movie when I was in 5th grade on CBS TV. I heard so much about this movie and I was completely overwhelmed by the magnificence of Charlton Heston when I first saw The 10 Commandments. I would constantly be looking in the TV Guide magazine for Ben Hur and finally there it was, a special, magnificent 2 page center TV Guide spread showing Charlton Heston and his magnificent 4 astonishingly beautiful Arabian white horses with the bold, white words on the top pages that read, Against the might, the decadence, the awesome fury of imperial Rome, one man's heroic struggle and triumph, Ben-Hur." It was only a handful of movies that was so unique, so special and so powerful that it was broadcast only once every four years on TV. I bought Mr.Heston's autobiography at Book Soup in Hollywood and he personally autographed my copy which to this day is one of my prized possessions!😀 If you can find it, I highly recommend it as he goes into great detail what it took to make that movie, especially 6 months to train and prepare for the chariot race!!!!
I never liked this movie til I saw it on turner classic movies with no commercials. It is the epic of epics
You know? The reason why BH59's ending hits the spot... is because BH has already killed his enemy and still feels hate. He redirects his hate against the institution his enemy represented, and declares war on the Imperium. It's Esther who pushes and pushes him to get back from the dark into the light (then people say there weren't strong females in classic movies), and then Esther manages to make him go and look for Jesus. BH repents, and forgives, while watching Jesus die. And he repents and forgives without knowing that his sister an mother have been cured. The cure is then, not a random thing that happens because Jesus died, but a consequence of him forgiving his enemies. And that is why it's powerful, because it's earned after much suffering and having to reinvent himself.
Good job mate!
Ben-Hur was a beautiful and sad story. I'm glad that for the most part it had a happy ending.
You truly are the king of kings
In my humble opinion, the greatest movie of all-time, it edges out Citizen Kane.
Hope you get to watch Planet of the Apes, 68. And I highly recommend Ravenous if you haven’t seen that yet.
The plot: it's The Count of Monte Cristo in Roman drag with A Story of the Christ thrown in.
That movie is so epic Jesus Christ himself only has a cameo.
They only really show his face in long shots which I think made his presence that much better.
@@AustinPPutnam That's a good point
Interestingly enough, the actor who played Jesus, Claude Heater, was a professional opera singer.
It's William Wyler pulling all those good performances from these actors.
Probably my second favorite epic behind only Lawrence of Arabia!!
I still need to see that!
@@AustinPPutnam You’ve got to see it! It’s one of the most beautifully constructed films I’ve ever seen and Peter O’Toole gives a brilliant performance in it.
@@Dan-ce1oh He probably would've won the Oscar for Best Actor that year if it weren't for Gregory Peck in To Kill A Mockingbird, but to be fair, Peck deserved that Oscar 100% and it's one of the greatest Oscar wins of all time.
@@Dan-ce1oh So does Omar Sharif, who would team up with director David Lean three years later for Doctor Zhivago, another glorious epic.
@@alexmeyer5260 Yeah that’s another fantastic film Lean is one of my favorite directors and Brief Encounter and Lawrence of Arabia are in my top 10. I feel O’Toole should’ve won the best actor Oscar for either Beckett or The lion in winter.