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 Ben-Hur, one of the most ambitious epics ever filmed, earned an impressive 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director (William Wyler) and Best Actor (Charlton Heston). The film has been hailed for many aspects €“ its grand size, incredible performances, 65mm Technicolor and its action sequences including the famous chariot race. Released several times on DVD, Warner Bros. €™ 2005 Collector €™s Edition is an incredible collection with amazing extra features. The cast also included Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith and Martha Scott.
Stephan Boyd &
Charlton Heston
Director Fred Niblo took on the direction of the 1925 "Ben-Hur," which had been adapted from General Lew Wallace's 1880 novel subtitled "A Tale of the Christ." Structured around a story during the era of Christ's birth, Ben Hur is the tale of a Roman (Messala-Stephen Boyd) and a Jew (Judah-Charlton Heston) who grew up as friends but would become bitter enemies in a fight about religious beliefs. Remaining in polls as one of the best top 10 movies of all time, Ben Hur is noted as a story about forgiveness, love, revenge, Jews and Christians. Wyler once remarked, "We made it acceptable to all faiths; we never showed Jesus' face."
Ironically, William Wyler was one of the 60 assistant directors hired for the several-day shoot of the massive chariot scene in the Circus Maximus, the Roman stadium built in Culver City for the 1925 film.
Spurned on by producer Sam Zimbalist and a desire to make a big epic, Wyler decided to remake Ben Hur. His 1959 film had grand ideas and 300 sets, a story more about personal relations than religious differences and it saved MGM from bankruptcy - a daring move since at that time it was the most expensive movie ever made. Among its 12 Academy-Award nominations, the only won that didn't bring home the Oscar was for Best Screenplay by Karl Tunberg, which went to Neil Paterson for Room At The Top.
Charlton Heston was the perfect choice to play Judea Ben Hur, a Jew who by a strange set of circumstances becomes a very wealthy Prince and free man when sent to the gallows. Judea Ben Hur is also a good man who treats his slaves with respect and kindness.
Author Gore Vidal, one of the writers on the 1959 screenplay and a participant in the 1994 Documentary Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic in the new collection, said, "This is not a tale of Christ - it's a story about a Jewish and a Christian boy."
Cathy O'Donnell, Haya Harareet, Martha Scott, Sam Jaffe, Charlton Heston
When religious differences begin to divide Rome, Messala (Stephen Boyd) is part of the Roman force against the Jews. Messala becomes irate when a freak accident happens and blames Judah. He's surprised when Messala, his childhood friend who was like a brother to him, turns against him, even taking part in a raid and arresting Judea, his mother Miriam (Martha Scott) and his sister Tirzah (Cathy O'Donnell- Wyler's sister-in-law). Ben Hur's love interest, the slave Esther is played by Israeli actress Haya Harareet.
Charlton Heston & Jack Hawkins
Judah Ben Hur saves the life of the Roman Consul Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins), who adopts Judah Ben Hur, giving him the prestige and financial status to pursue his desire to free his mother and sister. The story, about one man's rebellion against terrorist rule, is complicated but is unveiled in a compelling and extraordinary visual saga that of course includes the famous chariot race. Robert Surtees' incredible cinematography still holds its own in today's visual masterpieces.
While most movie fans have seen Ben Hur and thoroughly enjoy seeing the spectacular film, the 4-disc DVD is a treasure-trove for classic movie fans that will deliver many, many hours of entertainment.
Wyler's daughter, Catherine Wyler, has many interesting insights in her comments on the DVD (read Diana's Interview with Catherine about her father and Ben Hur). One such comment, "A party scene in the film included some of Rome's real royalty. All of Rome knew Ben Hur was being filmed there, and I think he (her dad) thought, well the aristocracy went to that party then and they should be at it now as they should know how to behave."
Also included in this collection is a booklet with many images from the film production, notes about the film's making and interesting tidbits such as many women in Rome gave up their hair for the numerous wigs that were needed for filming.
DVD special features include:
DISC 1
€˘ Feature Film Part One.
€˘ Commentary by Film Historian T. Gene Hatcher and Charlton Heston.
€˘ Music-Only Track showcasing Miklos Rozsa's Score.
€˘ English, French and Spanish (feature only)
DISC 2
€˘ Feature Film Part Two
€˘ Commentary by Film Historian T. Gene Hatcher and Charlton Heston
€˘ Music-Only Track showcasing Miklos Rozsa's Score
€˘ English, French and Spanish (feature only)
DISC 3
€˘ The 1925 Ben-Hur - at 143 minutes this film is really slow moving, but scan through if you don't watch the entire movie as it's interesting to make comparisons to the 1959 version.
DISC 4
€˘ 1994 Documentary Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic - takes you through an extensive and fascinating look at the making of this film , including behind-the-scenes data, the journey from script to screen as told by filmmakers and stars such as Historian, Rudy Behlmen; Second Unit Director, Yakin Canutt; Author, Gore Vidal; Wyler's daughter, Catherine Wyler and Stuntman Joe Canutt.
Interesting facts revealed include:
There were other names considered for the role of Judah Ben Hur including Kirk Douglas, Marlon Brando, Burt Lancaster and Rock Hudson. An open casting call went out and many men applied. Those considered did screen tests as seen on the screen test including Leslie Neilsen
There was a play of Ben Hur after the book was released - it made $20 million but then was sued by the Wallace family for copyright infringement. The suit went to the Supreme Court and set the precedent for copyright lawsuits.
The 1925 version, filmed in Italy, cost $4 million and was affected by warring countries and took 6 years before making a profit.
Wyler got $1 million to direct Ben Hur.
Sam Zimbalist, a producer of the film, died while making Ben Hur some say from too much stress.
A camera four times the anamorphic size of today's camera was used.
Joe Canutt was Heston's stunt double for the crash scene in the chariot race.
Some 40 scripts were developed before choosing the final one and controversies arouse over final script credit. Gore Vidal, Maxwell Anderson and Christopher Fry had worked on the script but Karl Tunberg got the only credit even after Wyler went to the Screenwriter's Guild and complained.
Paul Newman originally wanted to play Ben Hur but when approached by Gore said, "Never again will I appear in a film (The Silver Chalice) wearing a cocktail dress."
€˘ 2005 Documentary Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema - this new documentary gathers more stars and filmmakers that add their expertise or thoughts about "Ben Hur" and include: Director, Robert Dalva; Cinematographer, Ernest Dickerosn (Malcom X); Arthur Max, production designer (Gladiator); Composer, Don Davis (The Matrix); Film Editor, Ben Burtt; Director Ridley Scott and Producer Arnold Michlan.
Interesting facts revealed include:
Irwin Kershner, director of The Empire Strikes Back, said, "The power of film is that we can vicariously enjoy being someone that we're not and do things we're not permitted in our own lives."
Director Fraser Clarke Heston, said - "Wyler created movies in the styles they use today, like Scorsese did with "Aviator" - dark shadows on faces, up cutting, unusual lighting and not showing the beginning or ending of scenes."
Charles Heston, said, "In one scene, Willy told me I had to do it better, and I asked him how, and he replied I don't know or I'd tell you."
George Lucas, said about the Wyler and the film, "He was a lot like me, he didn't dwell on the biggest of it."
Historian Bruce Crawford, said, "It's a personal story, weak in storyline."
Robert Surttees, cinematographer of Ben Hur said, "Wyler's character's goodness or badness came from the characters, not from the lighting."
Heston spent two to three hours a day for weeks on lessons on how to drive the chariot.
There were too many blued-eyed men in the film so guys Boyd had to wear brown contacts.
€˘ Ben-Hur: A Journey Through Pictures
€˘ Screen Tests
€˘ Vintage Newsreels Gallery
€˘ Highlights From the 4/4/60 Academy Awards
The sound cuts in and out of this segment which probably hasn't been restored and it only the awards for Ben Hur, but it's interesting to see how some things really stand out compared to today's Academy Awards. The crowd outside shows well-attired stars and attendees - among the crowd are Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Stewart, Mr. & Mrs. Heston and Doris Day. What's really refreshing were the SHORT acceptance speeches. Most precipitant said only four or five words. Mrs. Sam Zimbalist, picking up the award for her late husband for Best Picture, gave the longest speech - two minutes.
€˘ Theatrical Trailer Gallery
Director: William Wyler
Writer: screenplay - Karl Tunberg, Maxwell Anderson (Uncredited), Christopher Fry, (Uncredited), Gore Vidal (Uncredited); novel - Lew Wallace
Cast Members: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith, Martha Scott
MPAA Rating: 1925 version -unrated, 1959 version "G"
Classic Movie Guide Rating: 5/5 stars
Run Time: 222 Minutes
Studio: Warner Home Video
Photo credits: Warner Bros. Pictures
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