In 1959, an epic motion picture hit the screens and went on to become one of the greatest films in movie history. "Ben-Hur" is my favorite movie of all-time and was, at the time it was made, the most expensive movie in history. It used 50,000 people as extras, 15,000 alone in the chariot race.
The fabulous supporting cast included Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith, Martha Scott, Cathy O'Donnell and Sam Jaffe. It was produced by Sam Zimbalist from a screenplay by Karl Tunberg and directed brilliantly by William Wyler. Miklos Roza's enchanting soundtrack capped off the awesome beauty of this timeless film.
The film won Picture of the Year and Best Actor for Heston. But among the finest points of this masterpiece were the incredible scenes. The battle at sea and the chariot race are the two finest scenes in motion picture history. They were simply unparalleled in their intensity. They kept you glued to the screen like nothing has ever done so before. The film ran for 3 hours and 42 minutes and, even at that length, had you wishing it would never end. The 50's brought us many of Hollywood's epic films which included another Charlton Heston film in 1956 "The Ten Commandments" which just happens to be my second favorite movie ever. I think what I like the most of "Ben-Hur" is the awesome scenery and colorful costumes and the riveting music which I still hum to myself on occasion. This is a story of love, devotion, courage, faith, loyalty, revenge and betrayal. It highlights the good and bad of the human race and what too much power can do to a man and a friendship. 
Judah is a Judean prince who was a boyhood friend of the Roman Masala who later becomes a Tribune and who betrays Judah after he refuses to help Masala betray Judah's people. The story then shows of Judah's resoursefulness in coming back to avenge the wrong placed on him by his one-time friend, only to learn of the tragic fate that has been bestowed on his family. Movies like this don't come along to often in our lifetime and we must learn to enjoy and respect them while we can. I've long said they don't make films like this anymore. Something of this magnitude would simply be too costly today. But also it seems Hollywood is incapable of telling a good and wholesome story like this anymore. It seems special effects dominate the big screen these days. Now I love special effects, don't get me wrong. But special effects should NEVER be bigger than the story itself and sadly that happens far too often these days.
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An incredible battle scene which shows how utterly brutal battle was in those days.
Now, on to more of the show.
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To actually be in the great circus and see a race like that must have been something. A race where death is a common occurance and glory for the victor. But for Judah, only sadness.
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Well that's my tribute to the greatest film ever made. I hope you enjoyed it.
God Bless.
