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@michaels_movie_bay
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4.5/5
Childhood friends Judah Ben Hur (Heston) and Tribune Masala (Boyd) become bitter enemies after Masala has Judah’s family wrongfully imprisoned over a false accusation. Judah, now a slave, is kept alive by his burning quest for revenge.
A spectacle of scope, scale, and storytelling, Ben Hur is a masterpiece of cinema. Its basic human story is told against the dramatic backdrop of the Roman Empire and it features a cast of literally thousands and some of the most impressive non-CGI set-pieces ever featured on the silver screen.
The film’s thematic core addresses patriotism, vengeance, and forgiveness and features one of the most powerful depictions of Jesus Christ in cinema. His presence in the film is central to the story and His impact on each of the characters is made clear despite never uttering a single line of dialogue. The film never preaches, but its message is clear: love is more powerful than vengeance.
The rivalry between Judah and Masala is the central driving force of the film. When they share the screen, their interactions are explosive and tense. And the culmination of their opposition is the iconic chariot race scene which is perhaps one of the most impressive filmmaking feats of all time. The sequence is the centerpiece of the film and is both riveting and brutal. But the scene immediately after the race, when Judah confronts Masala for the last time, is equally brilliant and devastating.
At well over three hours, Ben Hur requires dedication, but the extended runtime gives the characters opportunities to grow and develop, making their ultimate redemption that much more meaningful. Because of its religious iconography, the film is a perfect choice for Easter weekend and still holds up as a technical and narrative marvel almost sixty-five years after it was made.
Hot take: When they say “they don’t make movies like they used to,” this is the movie they are referring to.
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