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Ben-Hur vs. Ben-Hur

Posted by Billy Wonka (A) on August 22, 2016 at 15:56:05

I believe people have stayed away from this in droves because they are ideologically cemented to Heston, Boyd, and the grand wooden style of the late 50's and 60's. The older is grand mamma and daddy's version chiseled in stone that could not be equaled or surpassed. The new version would automatically NOT measure up.

Well, there is merit to both versions. This biggest failing of this film is casting: There is only one A-List actor, Morgan Freeman. The rest of the cast falls into the B-List primarily due to underexposure not so much talent. The story has been altered to include Freeman who just happens to find Huston washed up on a North African shore. He also narrates.

This version uses a lot of time on character development. It seems longer maybe for that reason. The art direction and costumes are lush, so lush it seems to give a new found of sense of elegance and wealth to Prince Judah's family and position. Messala is now of familial status as the orphan of a disgraced Roman politician. We are also served up a bit of sedition by a Jewish Zealot who brings down the Hur's not by a falling tile but an arrow aimed directly at Pilate.

Life on the galley does NOT have the significance of Heston's boat ride. There is no Jack Hawkins as tormentor and prisoner. There is a naval battle and a seemingly miraculous escape which leads to being washed up on Freeman's shore.

Since this is a "modern" film the CGI is fantastic. The recreation of ancient Jerusalem, the Circus, and the race are very believable. The film could almost stand on that merit for the exception of B-casting and Huston's own lack of personna. He doesn't have the lofty, wooden command of Heston but he does do a good, natural man without chewing up scenery.

The religious portion of the film has not been over-extended as it well could have been. What's there is meaningful but no more so than the original.

Production is A to A+. It looks real and not painted on glass. The star power is B and the entertainment factor is C+.

I wonder if our "progressive society is really at the heart of low attendance? Maybe someone could opine (who has seen the film).

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Schiit Audio

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