Glad you enjoyed it ! The story was written by a Civil War General, a Union Soldier Lew Wallace. He did all the research himself, and wrote a hit book, which later became a stage play and then a silent movie with Ramone Novarro as Ben Hur. In the book, Jesus healed Ben Hur's mother & sister when he met them on a trail (of course they were kind of far off since they were lepers).
First and foremost... I am so sorry that you struggled with the length of this movie and sitting down for so long because of it. I am happy you enjoyed the movie,, but I certainly didn't mean for you to feel so uncomfortable through it. I'm so sorry. Ben-Hur- In spite of your discomfort... thank you very much for another great reaction for a beautiful and powerful movie that I have loved for many, many years! Ben-Hur is a classic, and Charlton Heston is fantastic. I really love him as an actor. Now... Ben-Hur was the first ever movie to win eleven Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor going to Charlton Heston, Best Supporting Actor going to Hugh Griffith who plays Judah's friend, Sheik Ilderim, Best Director, Best Music, Best Cinematography, Best Costumes, and Best Special Effects, etc... Only two movies since Ben-Hur have ever tired with winning eleven Oscars... Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. For a movie that was made back in 1959, it is incredible that this movie is so well written, acted, etc... And it is most certainly deserving of all eleven Oscars too. The masterpiece that is the chariot race in Ben-Hur is well known and beloved for being one of the most iconic moments within all of cinematic history, and once again... this race scene alone has earned tis movie's and its creators' tremendous achievements. I completely agree with you that Ben-Hur most certainly has the feel of a revenge story, that like for you... definitely makes me think of The Count of Monte Cristo, given that both of these movie's main protagonists are men accused of committing criminal acts in which they are truly innocent thanks to old friends who set them up. These heroes suffer greatly in consequence of such acts, and both return stronger to seek out revenge against those who have wronged them. While revenge stories for movies and television are popular and often created, I love this kind of story arc, and it's one of the many, many reasons why I love both Ben-Hur and The Count of Monte Cristo so much. That, and because I love Jim Caviezel, as well as Charlton Heston. Now... I am not at all a fan of John Wick, and therefore never saw the two sequels to the original movie, but I certainly get why you would include them among the movies with the theme of revenge for sure. Ben-Hur is a fictional story, and Judah Ben-Hur a fictional character. However, I love this movie's major and powerful inclusion the story of Jesus Christ throughout this movie in its entirety. It isn't this movie's main focus like one would assume from the sub title credited onscreen after its title... A Tale of Christ, but Jesus Christ is most certainly always on the viewers minds whether the Savior's biblical tale is in the forefront of every scene or not. And boy... does Christ's story make me feel all of the emotion as we are meant to feel. I cry throughout this movie every time I watch it, especially in the ending upon watching Jesus being crucified, and then seeing the miracle of Judah's mother and sister becoming healed of their leprosy... a disease that is horrific, that everyone in these days would have most certainly preferred to be dead over catching it. Also... I absolutely love that we never see Jesus' face at all. This is most certainly done for artistic reasons, and it's most certainly a very smart decision. While we know without question who this man is whenever he appears onscreen, there's still very much a real mystery to him that adds power and strength to him and his story. I especially love the parallels to seeing Jesus offer Judah water in the desert, then seeing Judah return the favor by offering Jesus water upon collapsing in the street under the weight of his cross. I also love the power behind the scene where Jesus is teaching the people on the hill, giving his sermon on the mount. And the power of the thunderstorm upon Christ's death is cinematically stunning. I love and agree with your thoughts in regards to this storm representing God's anger and righting all of the injustices including the tragic death of His only begotten son. Next.. like I spoke of above, the filming of chariot race is absolutely incredible. I love how the whole race is filmed. From the cinematography, the power we see in the horses running every lap, to the stark contrast between Judah's white horse, to Messala's black horses. Absolutely beautiful. As is the power behind the battleships fighting in the battle scene while Judah and the other slaves and prisoners are forced to row the ships down in the galleys. While you see the most greenscreen affects within this entire battle scene, for this movie being made in 1959, the special affects are pretty amazing. For me... I feel about this movie's special affects, just as I feel about the special affects within the original Star Wars Trilogy. They're amazingly done for their times. And now... I love this movie's many characters and the amount of acting involved in creating them. I love watching classic movies for many reasons, but one of which is because the actors in them truly have to work that much harder to bring about their characters, because they don't have the special affects like the big blockbusters and all other movies created nowadays to hide behind. I'm not saying that there aren't talented actors today, but I appreciate seeing how much harder the actors in these classics have to work. Charlton Heston as Judah Ben-Hur is phenomenal and I love his overall story, including the scenes in which he monologues. Like I said above, I love his drive for revenge and then seeing him find peace and happiness again by the end upon his heart being softened and healed thanks to Jesus Christ. I look forward to being able to request The Ten Commandments for you to watch for a reaction at some point down the road as well. Messala is played by actor... Stephen Boyd, an actor I have only ever seen in one other movie from long ago, yet is someone I really like in both movies. Messala is a character we hate as we are meant to, yet is a character we as viewers also understand. Understand why he comes to betray Judah despite Judah being his closest friend since they were children. Because Rome and the power behind Rome and its rulers poisoned him in his many years of service to the great city. Undoubtedly, this happened to many, many soldiers who served Rome and the Caesars. Esther is played by actress... Haya Harareet, who was in very few movies. I agree with you that she is absolutely beautiful, and I love her character. Haya Harareet is marvelous in this movie. I love her strong will and her unending love for Judah, as well as her loving sacrifice to suffer Judah hating her for hiding the truth about his mother and sister being alive and suffering from leprosy. And I am so happy that in the end, Judah is able to forgive her upon finding peace again. As for the other major and minor characters throughout this movie... I also love Judah's adopted father, Quintus Arrius played by actor... Jack Hawkins. I also love Sheik Ilderim played by Hugh Griffith like I mentioned above, Judah's mother Miriam and sister Tirzah played by actresses... Martha Scott and Cathy O'Donnell, one of the three Wise Men... Balthasar played by Finlay Currie, and actor... Frank Thring who plays Pontius Pilate... the Governor of Judea famous for washing his hands to declare himself innocent and guilt free before God upon sentencing Jesus Christ to be crucified. The way I see it... Pilate is most certainly very guilty and I am sure he has been punished justly by God for his role for His son's suffering. Each of these characters are wonderful among Judah, Messala, and Esther. As is Esther's father and his silent friend who acts as his legs for him. And lastly... this movie also makes me think of another phenomenal movie about Christ's life and death... The Passion of the Christ, which incredibly stars my favorite actor... Jim Caviezel as Jesus Christ. I don't know if you have ever seen it, but if you haven't, I would highly recommend you watch it. I'm not so sure it would be a movie good for creating a reaction for it for a few reasons, including because it is solely spoken in Hebrew with English subtitles. But whoa... such a beautiful and powerful movie, and Jim Caviezel is absolutely phenomenal, just like he always in in every role he plays. Overall... Ben-Hur is a powerful and beautiful movie I love very much. The music is beautiful, the acting is top notch, and the cinematography and special affects are all fantastic. Thank you once again for your great reaction you've created for me, Clint. I really appreciate all your efforts and even the struggles you went through in creating this reaction for me. From becoming uncomfortable in your chair, to your allergies as well. I look forward to next month for a new movie reaction, as well as many more reactions for Person of Interest, Once Upon a Time, Rush, and White Collar! Thank you very much, dear friend!! Sincerely, Heidi
Yakima Cunitt was the director of the chariot race. He worked on a lot of western. I fear this is a vanishing skill. The stunt men and women were the real deal.
I'm enjoying this trend towards reacting to the 50s epics. I've seen some other reactions pop up elsewhere. For more sword and sandals I'd recommend Spartacus, personally. But as others have said, there are more biblical epics out there.
Spartacus is excellent.The best of the Roman epics was Fall of the Roman Empire,which came out in 1964.It is 3 hrs long ( but for this romanophile,worth every second:))
Great reaction. No actual history, but as it says at the start, a tale of the christ. This movie was really epic, especially for the time. So much so that it birthed the saying "Bigger than Ben-Hur". The Ten Commandments is equally as epic and also stars Charlton Heston. I believe they used 5000 extras - the most extras that had ever been used. While I think this one is much more engaging because of the personal revenge aspect of Judah, the costumes and sets of the Ten Commandments, and Yul Brenner's Pharaoh Ramses, are all great. It would be cool to see you react to that one and tell us which one you preferred.
I don't know if you've already seen it, but if you are up for a comedy/musical, check out 'Singing In The Rain', another classic movie from the 1950's. It's shorter than Ben Hur if you're worried, lol! :-)
"Still close (Messala)! In every way (Judah Ben-Hur)!" You are correct to suspect that Messala & Ben-Hur had had a homosexual relationship in their earlier years. During the filming of their symbolic javelin-throwing scene for this motion picture, Charlton Heston [but not Stephen Boyd] was unaware of this sexual implication in the screenplay. Heston would have strongly rejected using these two lines from the script. It was a subtle 'trick' played on Heston by its non-credited writer Gore Vidal. For the record: Because of the complex controversy surrounding the actual authorship of this entire screenplay, it was the only Oscar nomination that Ben-Hur did not win.
1:49 depends on what he means by "many paths". If he's talking about life struggles that's one thing, but if it's in regards to the "all religions lead to god" lie based in pagan ecumenical heresy it goes against the very truth Jesus says, "No one comes to the Father except *through* me." John 14:6. Ben Hur had to go through what he did and remembered who it was that gave him water and the strength in character Jesus carried to His death for Ben Hur to let go of his own sinful burdens for the whole family miracle to occur.
The mind is a terrible thing to waste. God designed the power of the brain for good reason and a Book to keep the mind fresh and of sound mind. The Jesus account is not the Torah it's in the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Yes, he came through a virgin birth, he taught and healed, took our sins and burdens onto Himself so that we may be healed and saved from our own sin that would've condemned us to Hell and raised Himself from the dead so we can be with Him in paradise of beauty, God's sunlight, family and security. It's up to us to choose and believe in Him to make that covenant/long term investment of giving our full genuine best to live life as He wants us to so we can be with Him.
The chariot race is still one of the best action sequences ever made, God I love this movie!
This movie's 1959 version holds the record for the most Oscars won (11 Oscars)
Glad you enjoyed it ! The story was written by a Civil War General, a Union Soldier Lew Wallace. He did all the research himself, and wrote a hit book, which later became a stage play and then a silent movie with Ramone Novarro as Ben Hur. In the book, Jesus healed Ben Hur's mother & sister when he met them on a trail (of course they were kind of far off since they were lepers).
First and foremost... I am so sorry that you struggled with the length of this movie and sitting down for so long because of it. I am happy you enjoyed the movie,, but I certainly didn't mean for you to feel so uncomfortable through it. I'm so sorry.
Ben-Hur- In spite of your discomfort... thank you very much for another great reaction for a beautiful and powerful movie that I have loved for many, many years! Ben-Hur is a classic, and Charlton Heston is fantastic. I really love him as an actor.
Now... Ben-Hur was the first ever movie to win eleven Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor going to Charlton Heston, Best Supporting Actor going to Hugh Griffith who plays Judah's friend, Sheik Ilderim, Best Director, Best Music, Best Cinematography, Best Costumes, and Best Special Effects, etc... Only two movies since Ben-Hur have ever tired with winning eleven Oscars... Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. For a movie that was made back in 1959, it is incredible that this movie is so well written, acted, etc... And it is most certainly deserving of all eleven Oscars too.
The masterpiece that is the chariot race in Ben-Hur is well known and beloved for being one of the most iconic moments within all of cinematic history, and once again... this race scene alone has earned tis movie's and its creators' tremendous achievements.
I completely agree with you that Ben-Hur most certainly has the feel of a revenge story, that like for you... definitely makes me think of The Count of Monte Cristo, given that both of these movie's main protagonists are men accused of committing criminal acts in which they are truly innocent thanks to old friends who set them up. These heroes suffer greatly in consequence of such acts, and both return stronger to seek out revenge against those who have wronged them. While revenge stories for movies and television are popular and often created, I love this kind of story arc, and it's one of the many, many reasons why I love both Ben-Hur and The Count of Monte Cristo so much. That, and because I love Jim Caviezel, as well as Charlton Heston.
Now... I am not at all a fan of John Wick, and therefore never saw the two sequels to the original movie, but I certainly get why you would include them among the movies with the theme of revenge for sure.
Ben-Hur is a fictional story, and Judah Ben-Hur a fictional character. However, I love this movie's major and powerful inclusion the story of Jesus Christ throughout this movie in its entirety. It isn't this movie's main focus like one would assume from the sub title credited onscreen after its title... A Tale of Christ, but Jesus Christ is most certainly always on the viewers minds whether the Savior's biblical tale is in the forefront of every scene or not. And boy... does Christ's story make me feel all of the emotion as we are meant to feel. I cry throughout this movie every time I watch it, especially in the ending upon watching Jesus being crucified, and then seeing the miracle of Judah's mother and sister becoming healed of their leprosy... a disease that is horrific, that everyone in these days would have most certainly preferred to be dead over catching it.
Also... I absolutely love that we never see Jesus' face at all. This is most certainly done for artistic reasons, and it's most certainly a very smart decision. While we know without question who this man is whenever he appears onscreen, there's still very much a real mystery to him that adds power and strength to him and his story. I especially love the parallels to seeing Jesus offer Judah water in the desert, then seeing Judah return the favor by offering Jesus water upon collapsing in the street under the weight of his cross. I also love the power behind the scene where Jesus is teaching the people on the hill, giving his sermon on the mount. And the power of the thunderstorm upon Christ's death is cinematically stunning. I love and agree with your thoughts in regards to this storm representing God's anger and righting all of the injustices including the tragic death of His only begotten son.
Next.. like I spoke of above, the filming of chariot race is absolutely incredible. I love how the whole race is filmed. From the cinematography, the power we see in the horses running every lap, to the stark contrast between Judah's white horse, to Messala's black horses. Absolutely beautiful.
As is the power behind the battleships fighting in the battle scene while Judah and the other slaves and prisoners are forced to row the ships down in the galleys. While you see the most greenscreen affects within this entire battle scene, for this movie being made in 1959, the special affects are pretty amazing. For me... I feel about this movie's special affects, just as I feel about the special affects within the original Star Wars Trilogy. They're amazingly done for their times.
And now... I love this movie's many characters and the amount of acting involved in creating them. I love watching classic movies for many reasons, but one of which is because the actors in them truly have to work that much harder to bring about their characters, because they don't have the special affects like the big blockbusters and all other movies created nowadays to hide behind. I'm not saying that there aren't talented actors today, but I appreciate seeing how much harder the actors in these classics have to work.
Charlton Heston as Judah Ben-Hur is phenomenal and I love his overall story, including the scenes in which he monologues. Like I said above, I love his drive for revenge and then seeing him find peace and happiness again by the end upon his heart being softened and healed thanks to Jesus Christ. I look forward to being able to request The Ten Commandments for you to watch for a reaction at some point down the road as well.
Messala is played by actor... Stephen Boyd, an actor I have only ever seen in one other movie from long ago, yet is someone I really like in both movies. Messala is a character we hate as we are meant to, yet is a character we as viewers also understand. Understand why he comes to betray Judah despite Judah being his closest friend since they were children. Because Rome and the power behind Rome and its rulers poisoned him in his many years of service to the great city. Undoubtedly, this happened to many, many soldiers who served Rome and the Caesars.
Esther is played by actress... Haya Harareet, who was in very few movies. I agree with you that she is absolutely beautiful, and I love her character. Haya Harareet is marvelous in this movie. I love her strong will and her unending love for Judah, as well as her loving sacrifice to suffer Judah hating her for hiding the truth about his mother and sister being alive and suffering from leprosy. And I am so happy that in the end, Judah is able to forgive her upon finding peace again.
As for the other major and minor characters throughout this movie... I also love Judah's adopted father, Quintus Arrius played by actor... Jack Hawkins. I also love Sheik Ilderim played by Hugh Griffith like I mentioned above, Judah's mother Miriam and sister Tirzah played by actresses... Martha Scott and Cathy O'Donnell, one of the three Wise Men... Balthasar played by Finlay Currie, and actor... Frank Thring who plays Pontius Pilate... the Governor of Judea famous for washing his hands to declare himself innocent and guilt free before God upon sentencing Jesus Christ to be crucified. The way I see it... Pilate is most certainly very guilty and I am sure he has been punished justly by God for his role for His son's suffering. Each of these characters are wonderful among Judah, Messala, and Esther. As is Esther's father and his silent friend who acts as his legs for him.
And lastly... this movie also makes me think of another phenomenal movie about Christ's life and death... The Passion of the Christ, which incredibly stars my favorite actor... Jim Caviezel as Jesus Christ. I don't know if you have ever seen it, but if you haven't, I would highly recommend you watch it. I'm not so sure it would be a movie good for creating a reaction for it for a few reasons, including because it is solely spoken in Hebrew with English subtitles. But whoa... such a beautiful and powerful movie, and Jim Caviezel is absolutely phenomenal, just like he always in in every role he plays.
Overall... Ben-Hur is a powerful and beautiful movie I love very much. The music is beautiful, the acting is top notch, and the cinematography and special affects are all fantastic.
Thank you once again for your great reaction you've created for me, Clint. I really appreciate all your efforts and even the struggles you went through in creating this reaction for me. From becoming uncomfortable in your chair, to your allergies as well. I look forward to next month for a new movie reaction, as well as many more reactions for Person of Interest, Once Upon a Time, Rush, and White Collar!
Thank you very much, dear friend!!
Sincerely,
Heidi
If I may say so, Heidi, you understood this film far better than the reactor. God bless you!
@@stephenmarley7281 Thank you!
Sincerely,
Heidi
The blood of Christ, which will clean the sins of the world. So powerful. 😇❤️
A good revenge flick would be ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST.
Another long movie..
But well worth the time.
Yakima Cunitt was the director of the chariot race. He worked on a lot of western. I fear this is a vanishing skill. The stunt men and women were the real deal.
I'm enjoying this trend towards reacting to the 50s epics. I've seen some other reactions pop up elsewhere.
For more sword and sandals I'd recommend Spartacus, personally. But as others have said, there are more biblical epics out there.
Spartacus is excellent.The best of the Roman epics was Fall of the Roman Empire,which came out in 1964.It is 3 hrs long ( but for this romanophile,worth every second:))
Great reaction. No actual history, but as it says at the start, a tale of the christ. This movie was really epic, especially for the time. So much so that it birthed the saying "Bigger than Ben-Hur". The Ten Commandments is equally as epic and also stars Charlton Heston. I believe they used 5000 extras - the most extras that had ever been used. While I think this one is much more engaging because of the personal revenge aspect of Judah, the costumes and sets of the Ten Commandments, and Yul Brenner's Pharaoh Ramses, are all great. It would be cool to see you react to that one and tell us which one you preferred.
If you want to react to other great 50s/60s epics, see LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, TEN COMMANDMENTS, SPARTACUS, FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Four Great Choices .... He might recognise Fall of the Roman Empire as a Bigger Longer version og Gladiator!
1:55 many paths, meaning we all begin life's journey on different roads, but Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
A Civil War Confederate General wrote this story, all from a dream he had.
General Lee Wallace
The Story is not Biblical but Jesus scenes are Biblical that's what you need to know
A talent is 32 pounds of metal, gold, silver, etc.
..." That was a good movie." .Good movie?..."Do not cast pearls before swine..." ...merely a revenge film...?!
It is far more than a revenge film but revenge does drive the majority of the story.
I don't know if you've already seen it, but if you are up for a comedy/musical, check out 'Singing In The Rain', another classic movie from the 1950's. It's shorter than Ben Hur if you're worried, lol! :-)
Excellent!
Love the reaction. Just gained a new sub!
"Still close (Messala)! In every way (Judah Ben-Hur)!" You are correct to suspect that Messala & Ben-Hur had had a homosexual relationship in their earlier years. During the filming of their symbolic javelin-throwing scene for this motion picture, Charlton Heston [but not Stephen Boyd] was unaware of this sexual implication in the screenplay. Heston would have strongly rejected using these two lines from the script. It was a subtle 'trick' played on Heston by its non-credited writer Gore Vidal. For the record: Because of the complex controversy surrounding the actual authorship of this entire screenplay, it was the only Oscar nomination that Ben-Hur did not win.
Wonder how many people realize Gladiator is basically a remake of this movie.
It's a Remake of "THe Fall of the Roman Empire"!
1:49 depends on what he means by "many paths". If he's talking about life struggles that's one thing, but if it's in regards to the "all religions lead to god" lie based in pagan ecumenical heresy it goes against the very truth Jesus says, "No one comes to the Father except *through* me." John 14:6. Ben Hur had to go through what he did and remembered who it was that gave him water and the strength in character Jesus carried to His death for Ben Hur to let go of his own sinful burdens for the whole family miracle to occur.
moises,king of kings,quo vadis,the robe,anno domini the series.
I would love to see you review MGM's epic film Quo Vadis (1951).
Just read the novel by General Lew Wallace.
Messala bet around 3.5 tons of silver...
JESUSCHRIST ✝️❤️ is the only one i want to follow 🕊
The mind is a terrible thing to waste. God designed the power of the brain for good reason and a Book to keep the mind fresh and of sound mind.
The Jesus account is not the Torah it's in the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Yes, he came through a virgin birth, he taught and healed, took our sins and burdens onto Himself so that we may be healed and saved from our own sin that would've condemned us to Hell and raised Himself from the dead so we can be with Him in paradise of beauty, God's sunlight, family and security. It's up to us to choose and believe in Him to make that covenant/long term investment of giving our full genuine best to live life as He wants us to so we can be with Him.
Phenomenal movie!
Messala the first Sith :D
By banging on about "revenge flick" you've completely missed the point.
I get the point but 90% of the movie is about revenge. Forgiveness only comes at the end.
Okay, fair enough. I came on much too strong!
All good. It was an amazing movie.