Search - Ben-Hur [Special Edition Collector's Box] on DVD

MPAA Rating: G Content Advisory: Mild Violence, Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1959 DVD Release: 06/11/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Dual Layered,Restored/Remastered Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 3 hrs 42 mins Studio: Creative Design Art Members Wishing: 36 Genres: Epic, Religious Epic, Sword-and-Sandal See Also: 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

William Wyler's legendary epic Ben Hur comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1. English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a commentary track recorded by star Charlton Heston, photo stills, a copy of the film's poster, the original theatrical trailer, screen tests, and a documentary on the making of the film. This is an outstanding package from Creative Design that should be worthwhile for any cinema buff. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide