8mm Forum: Ben Hur/54mins.3x400ft/col/snd.

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Topic: Ben Hur/54mins.3x400ft/col/snd.

Andrew Wilson
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 784
From: dundonald,belfast,co.antrim,northern ireland.
Registered: Jan 2006

posted July 30, 2006 11:19 AM

Here's my views on this classic 1959 movie,released by m.g.m.
Well hang on fellow members because this is "the greatest"three
parter ever released on super8mm.Anyway here goes...
The original title sequence leads us into the crowded streets
of Jerusalem as the new Roman governor and his legions march thru the city gates-a colourful spectacle indeed.He is welcomed by
Tribune Messala(Stephen Boyd),a ruthless individual who will stop
at nothing to impress his superior.As the proccession winds thru
the streets,we see Judah Ben Hur(Charlton Heston) and his younger
sister Tirzah(Cathy O'Donnell),watching from the roof.Leaning over,Tirzah innocently dislodges a slate;it crashes down near the
Governor's horse which rears up and throws the Roman to the ground.The roman soldiers immediately arrest both Tirzah and her
mother,Miriam(Martha Scott),together with Judah who later pleads
for their lives.But the power crazed Messala yells,"By making an
example of you,a friend,i will be feared and discourage treason!"
Hearded across the desert with all the other prisoners,Judah is
near death as the guards refuse him a drink of water.A serene figure steps forward,ignores the roman soldiers;and offers water.
Judah's strength is renewed as he gazes into this stranger's eyes-this man from Nazarerth.
Judah's imprisonment then leads to him being chained below decks
as a oarsman on a Roman galley.He's known only as number41.
The Commander Qunitius Arrius(JACK HAWKINS)comments:you've hate
in your eyes 41..that's good, hate keeps men alive...
Neverless Arrius admires 41,who is of noble birth.
Arrius has Judah's chain unlocked,before the sea battle begins.
Then we see a great sea battle;their ship is rammed,Judah releases his fellow slaves and the commander is flung into the fiery sea.
For this act of bravery,Arrius adopts Judah as a worthy successor
to his own dead son.Free and once again weathly,Judah heads back
to Jerusalem.While his caravan rests,he first meets Balthassar(FINLEY CURRIE)and then the amusing Sheik IIderim(Hugh Griffith)-the latter is vainly trying to train his four superb white stallions for chariot racing.On hearing that Judah is skilled in this sport,he begs him to make his four run as one.
Judah shows little interest-until he hear that Messala is now
champion of the chariot race.Confronting the Roman,he issues a challenge and demandes the were abouts of his mother and sister.
Later,his intended Esther(Haya Harareet)revels they are both dead.Thus he goes into the chariot race with a new desire for revenge...
What else can be said about the famous chariot race that follows.
The great stunt director Yakima Canutt,took the reins and filmed
one if not thee most brilliant piece of filming ever put on the
screen.Hell even raiders of the lost ark and star wars prt 1,pay
homage this spectecle..
Messala is as evil as ever as he first forces other competitors to crash,then resorts to whipping Judad as their chariots draw alongside each other.His recklessness leads to his downfall as,
trampled under foot Messala is left broken and bleeding!.
With his dying breath he is determind to destroy Judah;as he
splutters"The race is not over-look for your mother and sister
in the valley of the lepers-if you can recoginse them.."
At first Esther begs Judah not to see them-she knows it would
tear them apart.But after hearing Jesus give his sermon on the mount,Esther feels if Miriam and Tirzah could meet him,this would
help them face the future.
Covering their scars Judah takes them into the city-only to arrivein time to see Jesus lead away for execution.As he stumbles
by carrying the heavy cross,Judah offers water-only to realize that it is the same man who had saved his own life in the desert.
Jesus is crucified as Tirzah and her mother watch from a cave.
As the strom rages,the scars leave their faces-a true miracle.
Reuntied with Judah,the halleluijah chorus builds to a tremendous climax as the end title appears.
This is in my view,the greastest of all the holywood epices.
This condensation does it full justice,its deeply moving,the editing is first class;print and sound are still good.
Be it scope or flat this is big screen action at its best.
If,like me your a fan of this movie;but can't affored the full
feature,then track one of those down.Outstanding in every way.Andy.