"Ben-Hur" is a 1959 American epic religious film directed by William Wyler, produced by Sam Zimbalist, and starring Charlton Heston as the title character. The film is a remake of the 1925 silent film with a similar title and is adapted from Lew Wallace's 1880 novel "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ".
The screenplay is credited to Karl Tunberg, but it includes contributions from Maxwell Anderson, S. N. Behrman, Gore Vidal, and Christopher Fry. The film had a budget of $15.2 million and was a commercial success, earning $146.9 million at the box office. The film is notable for its epic scale, impressive sets, and the famous action sequence of the chariot race.
It won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Score. "Ben-Hur" was premiered at Loew's State Theatre in New York City on November 18, 1959.
Plot
The plot of "Ben-Hur" (1959) revolves around Judah Ben-Hur, a wealthy Jewish prince living in Jerusalem in A.D. 26. After being betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend, he regains his freedom and seeks revenge. The story is set against the backdrop of 1st-century Jerusalem and includes themes of betrayal, redemption, and forgiveness. The film is known for its epic scale, including the famous chariot race sequence, and its portrayal of the encounter between Ben-Hur and Jesus Christ.
Trailer
Director: William Wyler
Writer: Lew Wallace, Karl Tunberg
Box Office Gross: $74,437,720
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: History, Drama, Adventure
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 1959
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Sep 1, 1969
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 30, 2013
Cast
Here is the full cast of the 1959 film Ben-Hur, excluding any images:
Main Cast:
- Charlton Heston - Judah Ben-Hur
- Stephen Boyd - Messala
- Haya Harareet - Esther
- Jack Hawkins - Quintus Arrius
- Hugh Griffith - Sheik Ilderim
- Martha Scott - Miriam
- Sam Jaffe - Simonides
- Cathy O'Donnell - Tirzah
Supporting Cast:
- Finlay Currie - Balthazar
- Frank Thring - Pontius Pilate
- George Relph - Tiberius Caesar
- Marina Berti - Drusilla
- Laurence Payne - Jesus of Nazareth (uncredited)
- John Horsley - Joseph of Nazareth (uncredited)
- Dino Fazio - Gessius
- Stella Vitelleschi - Empress Livia
- Richard Hale - Senator Claudius
- Tudor Davies - Sextus
- Jose Greci - Gaius
- Claude Heater - Sheik Ilderim's Bodyguard
- Hugh Marlowe - Narrator (voice)
Themes & Reception
- Betrayal: The protagonist, Judah Ben-Hur, is betrayed by his Roman friend, Messala, which leads to his enslavement.
- Loyalty: The film showcases the loyalty between Judah and his childhood friend, Sheik Ilderim, as well as the loyalty of Judah's wife, Esther, to her people.
- Faith: The narrative touches on the faith of the characters, including Judah's faith in God and the Roman centurion's faith in his gods.
- Redemption: Judah's journey from slavery to freedom and his eventual confrontation with his betrayer, Messala, demonstrates a journey towards redemption.
- Forgiveness: The film hints at the possibility of forgiveness, as Judah spares Messala's life after their confrontation.
The film has been praised for its epic scale, impressive sets, and the famous chariot race sequence. However, some critics argue that the movie's portrayal of Jesus and his followers is sometimes over-romanticized and stylistically out-of-place.
The film's score, composed by Miklós Rózsa, has also been a point of discussion, with some critics appreciating its archaic and heroic atmosphere, while others find it weak and unmemorable. Overall, Ben-Hur has been a significant and influential film in the history of cinema, with a lasting impact on the portrayal of biblical stories on screen.
Challenges Faced
The production of Ben-Hur (1959) faced several challenges, including logistical and technical hurdles. The film was shot in Italy to achieve maximum authenticity. The production involved an extensive pre-production phase, with the MGM Art Department creating over 15,000 sketches and drawings of costumes, sets, and props, and ultimately manufacturing more than a million props. Additionally, a workshop employing 200 artists and workmen provided hundreds of friezes and statues needed for the film.
The film's production also involved the use of innovative and complex filming techniques. For instance, the chariot race sequence, directed by second unit director Andrew Marton and legendary stuntman Yakima Canutt, required meticulous planning and execution. Furthermore, the film's director of photography, Robert Surtees, aimed to produce color-balanced negatives to minimize the need for color correction during post-production.
Despite these challenges, Ben-Hur ultimately became a monumental success, saving MGM from financial ruin and inspiring other studios to invest in large-scale blockbusters.
Setting
The setting of Ben-Hur (1959) is primarily in Judea during the time of Christ, under the influence of the oppressive Roman Empire. The film portrays the opulence of wealthy merchants like Judah Ben-Hur and the contrasting struggles of the Jewish people under Roman rule.
The story also encompasses various locations such as the Roman prison, where Judah's mother and sister are condemned, and the epic chariot race in Jerusalem. Additionally, the film includes scenes depicting the Nativity and the crucifixion of Jesus, providing a broader historical and religious context to the narrative.
Trivia
- The film won a record 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, making Sam Zimbalist the only producer ever to win Oscar's top prize posthumously.
- The chariot race sequence was directed by second unit director Andrew Marton and legendary stuntman Yakima Canutt, with Joe Canutt, Yakima Canutt's son, as Heston's double.
- Stephen Boyd wore lifts in his shoes to make his height more on par with Charlton Heston's.
- Cathy O'Donnell, who played Tirzah, was the sister-in-law of William Wyler and appeared in only one other film before her death in 1970.
- Joe Canutt, the stunt coordinator's son, was Heston's double during the famous chariot race scene.
- The film's director of photography, Robert Krasker, used a new camera technique called "Scope" to capture the epic scenes.
- The film's production designer, John De Cuir, created the impressive sets and costumes, which helped set the film apart from its predecessor, the 1925 silent film.
- The film's editor, Ralph E. Winters, was known for his innovative editing techniques, which contributed to the film's dynamic visual style.
- The film's composer, Miklós Rózsa, composed a memorable score that has been both praised and criticized by critics
Fun Fact
- The film's director, William Wyler, was so impressed with the performance of the actor who played the Roman centurion, Hugh Griffith, that he decided to feature the character more prominently in the film, even though the character had a minor role in the original story.
- The film's production designer, John De Cuir, created the impressive sets and costumes, which helped set the film apart from its predecessor, the 1925 silent film. De Cuir's work on "Ben-Hur" marked a significant turning point in his career, as he went on to become one of the most influential art directors and production designers in film history.
- The film's editor, Ralph E. Winters, was known for his innovative editing techniques, which contributed to the film's dynamic visual style. Winters' work on Ben-Hur showcased his talent for creating engaging and dynamic narratives through editing, making the film a standout in the genre of the biblical epic.
- The film's composer, Miklós Rózsa, composed a memorable score that has been both praised and criticized by critics. Rózsa's music for "Ben-Hur" helped to create a unique and immersive atmosphere, enhancing the film's visual and emotional impact.
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