Search - Ben-Hur

This 1959 version of Lew Wallace's best-selling novel, which had already seen screen versions in 1907 and 1926, went on to win 11 Academy Awards. Adapted by Karl Tunberg and a raft of uncredited writers including Gore Vidal and Maxwell Anderson, the film once more recounts the tale of Jewish prince Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), who lives in Judea with his family during the time that Jesus Christ was becoming known for his "radical" teachings. Ben-Hur's childhood friend Messala (Stephen Boyd) is now an ambitious Roman tribune; when Ben-Hur refuses to help Messala round up local dissidents on behalf of the emperor, Messala pounces on the first opportunity to exact revenge on his onetime friend. Tried on a trumped-up charge of attempting to kill the provincial governor (whose head was accidentally hit by a falling tile), Ben-Hur is condemned to the Roman galleys, while his mother (Martha Scott) and sister (Cathy O'Donnell) are imprisoned. But during a sea battle, Ben-Hur saves the life of commander Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins), who, in gratitude, adopts Ben-Hur as his son and gives him full control over his stable of racing horses. Ben-Hur never gives up trying to find his family or exact revenge on Messala. At crucial junctures in his life, he also crosses the path of Jesus, and each time he benefits from it. The highlight of the film's 212 minutes is its now-legendary chariot race, staged largely by stunt expert Yakima Canutt. Ben-Hur's Oscar haul included Best Picture, Best Director for the legendary William Wyler, Best Actor for Heston, and Best Supporting Actor for Welsh actor Hugh Griffith as an Arab sheik. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Charlton Heston - Judah Ben Hur
Stephen Boyd - Messala
Jack Hawkins - Quintus Arrius
Haya Harareet - Esther
Hugh Griffith - Sheik Ilderim

1959	Best Film - Any Source (winner)	British Academy of Film and Television	William Wyler
1959	Best Film - Any Source (winner)	British Academy of Film and Television	Andrew Marton
1959	Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (nominee)	Golden Globe	Charlton Heston
1959	Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic (winner)	Golden Globe	Stephen Boyd
1959	Best Director (winner)	Golden Globe	William Wyler
1959	Special Achievement (winner)	Golden Globe	Andrew Morton
1959	Best Actor (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Charlton Heston
1959	Best Adapted Screenplay (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Karl Tunberg
1959	Best Color Art Direction (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	William Horning
1959	Best Color Art Direction (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Edward C. Carfagno
1959	Best Color Art Direction (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Hugh Hunt
1959	Best Color Cinematography (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Robert Surtees
1959	Best Color Costume Design (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Elizabeth Haffenden
1959	Best Director (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	William Wyler
1959	Best Editing (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	John D. Dunning
1959	Best Editing (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Ralph Winters
1959	Best Picture (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Sam Zimbalist
1959	Best Drama or Comedy Score (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Miklos Rozsa
1959	Best Sound (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Franklin E. Milton
1959	Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Hugh Griffith
1959	Best Special Effects (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Robert MacDonald
1959	Best Special Effects (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Milo Lory
1959	Best Special Effects (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Arnold A. Gillespie
1959	Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic (winner)	National Board of Review	Hugh Griffith
1959	Special Citation (winner)	National Board of Review	Andrew Marton
1959	Special Citation (winner)	National Board of Review	Yakima Canutt

This winner of 11 Academy Awards is presented in widescreen anamorphic with an uncommon but well-suited aspect ratio of 2.76:1. Given its lengthy running time, the film has been divided onto two sides of a single disc with the flip occurring (thankfully) during the "Intermission" break. The transfer itself has few flaws, but the actual print shows countless signs of age, including color loss and grain. The audio is in English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround) and French (Dolby Digital 2.0) with English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. Special features include a "Cast and Crew" section that is a mere film credit listing (no bios). An audio commentary track is provided by Charlton Heston and, though repetitive, it is an invaluable source of great stories and his own unique viewpoints. The track does not cover the entire length of the film, so the disc has a special, built-in "fast forward" feature which links the commentary sections together. Unfortunately, the language subtitle feature cannot be deployed during the commentary. Side B of the disc features additional extras, including an hour-long documentary entitled "Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic." This excellent piece examines the entire history of -Ben-Hur, from the initial novel to early theatrical productions and up to the film adaptations. Side B also includes a seven-minute "Screen Test" section which features actors Leslie Nelson and Cesare Danova in the roles of Ben-Hur and Messala, as well as a one-minute silent film of actress Haya Harareet that looks to be a makeup and wardrobe test. Rounding out the special features is a rather barren photo gallery with ten stills and illustrations, plus a theatrical teaser and trailer and an awards list. This disc does not match its subject's epic stature, but it's worthwhile viewing nonetheless. ~ A.R. Ferguson, All Movie Guide

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