Ben-Hur

You know how, when you've watched a movie so many times, that you become over-critical of it?I've watched this movie annually for over 50 years, and there's not a single line, or shot I would alter in the least!Every subtle nuance in each actors' expression is intentional and necessary!Simply the best movie of all time!The 2016 remake, should have been named differently, simply for the sake of the posterity of the 1959 version; or at least out of respect for the pure genius of director William Wyler!Writer Lew Wallace should have lived to see it!The original music by Miklós Rózsa, in my opinion, is also the best movie score of all time!So few movies get the full 5☆ mark on Amazon; it pleases me to see this Gem does!

I am proud to say this is one of my favorite films of all time. Today's special effects pale in comparison to the quality of film-making put into this outstanding production. I believe they made a newer film in 2016, and frankly, it shows that Hollywood lacks the sense to leave a gem alone. The 1959 version will forever be the best. The score (Miklos Rosza's music-WOW), the sets (Try building THAT today), the acting (Heston, Boyd, Griffith), the script...It's all the best. There is a reason Ben Hur won as many academy awards as it did. Why try and remake a perfect work of art? I know why! Because Hollywood is full of uncreative imbeciles that have to make remakes of remakes of remakes as they are that desperate. Anyone worth his/her salt knows Ben Hur 1959 is an immortal classic. If you watch this film, I hope you will see the artistry at work and comprehend the magnitude of this great epic.

Regardless of what you think of the movie or NRA-Loving, over-emoting Heston, this is a spectacularly restored film in glorious Blu-ray.There's no accompanying materials, simply the 2 disks. Its hard to believe you are watching a film from the 50's now in hi-defintion: every frame looks great, and the musical score mix is excellent. Totally worth the money. Highly recommended.

This movie stands the test of time very well. For those who have read Lew Wallace's novel, this version is much better than the 2016 reboot, as the 2016 version had to make substantial changes to the plot to make it work in a standard length feature of 123 minutes. This - the Charleton Heston version - hews much more faithfully to Wallace's novel. However, even at a whopping 3 hour and 32 minute run time, the original film version still had to leave out certain elements from the novel (such as Ben Hur's plotting to form an army of resistance to rebel against Rome, and the aftermath showing Ben Hur and Esther living happily as man and wife in Rome at the end of the novel). Despite the movie's age and mammoth length, it stands up well. My kids ages 13, 8, and 6 watched it from start to finish and were riveted to the screen.

This is an absolute classic, and you owe it to yourself to watch it at least once. That said, it is at times ridiculously overacted, especially on the part of the actress who plays Hester, Ben Hur's love interest.This movie is a tale of Ben Hur but also a tale of Jesus Christ. It begins with his birth and ends shortly after his death. While this helped make the film a blockbuster back in the day by appealing to a broad audience, the religious component of this movie can at times feel like a bit much. It's almost like we interrupt the main tale to put the spotlight on Jesus.I just rewatched the movie, at least the third time I've seen it. One thing that escaped me previously that really struck me this time is the homoerotic nature of the relationship between Ben Hur and Masala. When those two long-lost friends greet each other in early adulthood, it is clear that in their youth they shared more than friendship. Their banter, the loving gazes they exchange, go well beyond friendship. When Ben Hur refuses Masala's request to act as his spy, Masala responds like a denied petulant lover. Indeed, most of the movie plays out like the Saga of the Love Story Between Ben Hur and Masala. That had previously eluded me.Another thing that struck me is how often the filmmakers managed to show some serious male skin. Ben Hur on his raft. Masala on his massage table.Overall, the movie is well worth watching simply because it's such a cultural touchstone. But it was definitely a different experience watching it in 2020 than it was the first couple of times I saw it. Talk about a little something for everyone!EDIT: Since writing this review, I have learned that the director did in fact tell the actor who played Masala to play his role like he and Ben Hur used to be lovers – but don’t tell Charlton Heston.

This is one of the most amazing Charlton Heston movies ever made, besides maybe the Ten Commandments. You really have to sit back and enjoy the "Real" acting that took place in these movies. It's almost as though they are in a play, and it was filmed for motion pictures. The actors and actresses are simply outstanding. Can't say enough but it is biblical based, and really tugs at your emotional feelings.

I chose this versuion specifically as the feature is spanned over two discs, allowing maximum quality over the single disc Blu Ray Uk release, a must nave for fans, it really does look like it was filmed in the last couple of years, not the late 1950's The aspect ratio is correct, and it is far better presented this way than trying to crop it for 16:9 thereby losing the panoramic view for a modern version of full frame, that fills a widescreen TV.

à film éxéptionelle , steelbox d'éxéption avec en plus une remasterisation de l'image complétement halucinante , une dés plus belle et poussée sur le format blu ray pour un film qui à plus de cinquante ans ,chapeau bas . ps : mention spécial au superbe steelbox dorée ou pour une fois le ramage se raporte au plummage de cette magnifique éditon .pour les frenchy la v.f en 5.1 ansi que les sous titres sont présent mais ne rivalise pas avec la fabuleuse v.o en 5.1 dts master audio . bref magnifique édition , mille merci à warner pour le travail acompli et comme diraient nos ami anglais : GOD SAVE BEN HUR UK STEELBOX EDITION !!!

Ben Hur. A masterpiece of film making and this blue ray transfer does it justice. This is a three disc set, the first two containing the film with the intermission separating the discs. the third disc contains the extras including the full earlier two hour silent version of Ben Hur with some early technicolor shots. There is also a feature of Charlton Heston and his family. All in all a good purchase. Well worth having in ny collection of Blue Ray Films.

this transfer is excellent i have a dvd of this and this is the same edition with the same extra's but the blu-ray has even better picture. Alot of work has been done cleaning this very old film up and is so good it could have been made this year and much could be leaned by modern film makers and producers, this is how films use to be made and why they are so much better than the crap that gets put out now days.you must buy this film it's the best !

This DVD was excellent, would buy again