Review Ben-Hur (1959)

Elliot Thomas

Member: Rank 3
Heston is commanding as the Jewish Ben-Hur, whose lifetime friendship with the ambitious Messala (Boyd) is turned on its head when the latter gains a prominent position as an ally with the Roman Empire during the time of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. Thus, commences a bitter rivalry and feud between the two.
Long but brilliantly made film with a great cast and amazing special effects, especially the famous chariot race, made possible by Andrew Marton and renowned stuntman Takima Kanutt. The most successful, and best of, a spate of 1950s epic films imo.
 
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