Ben-Hur [Diamond Luxe Edition] [2 Discs] [Blu-ray] [1959]

Name: One of the greatest!
Item: Ben-Hur [Diamond Luxe Edition] [2 Discs] [Blu-ray] [1959]
Rating: 5
Author: njmadman

SKU: 8138123
Release Date: 10/02/2014
Rating: G
4.9 (57)

Videos

$19.99

Add to Registry

Get 5% Back in Rewards

Overview

Ratings & Reviews

Overall Customer Rating:

4.9

(57 Reviews)

97% of customers would recommend this product to a friend (55 out of 57)

Special Features

Documentary - Charlton Heston & Ben Hur: A Personal Journey
Commentary by film historian T. Gene Hatcher with Charlton Heston
Music-only track showcasing Miklós Rózsa's award-winning score
Screen tests
Vintage featurettes
Theatrical trailers

Show more

Synopsis

Ben-Hur
This 1959 version of Lew Wallace's best-selling novel, which had already seen screen versions in 1907 and 1926, went on to win 11 Academy Awards. Adapted by Karl Tunberg and a raft of uncredited writers including Gore Vidal and Maxwell Anderson, the film once more recounts the tale of Jewish prince Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), who lives in Judea with his family during the time that Jesus Christ was becoming known for his "radical" teachings. Ben-Hur's childhood friend Messala (Stephen Boyd) is now an ambitious Roman tribune; when Ben-Hur refuses to help Messala round up local dissidents on behalf of the emperor, Messala pounces on the first opportunity to exact revenge on his onetime friend. Tried on a trumped-up charge of attempting to kill the provincial governor (whose head was accidentally hit by a falling tile), Ben-Hur is condemned to the Roman galleys, while his mother (Martha Scott) and sister (Cathy O'Donnell) are imprisoned. But during a sea battle, Ben-Hur saves the life of commander Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins), who, in gratitude, adopts Ben-Hur as his son and gives him full control over his stable of racing horses. Ben-Hur never gives up trying to find his family or exact revenge on Messala. At crucial junctures in his life, he also crosses the path of Jesus, and each time he benefits from it. The highlight of the film's 212 minutes is its now-legendary chariot race, staged largely by stunt expert Yakima Canutt. Ben-Hur's Oscar haul included Best Picture, Best Director for the legendary William Wyler, Best Actor for Heston, and Best Supporting Actor for Welsh actor Hugh Griffith as an Arab sheik. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Cast & Crew

Charlton Heston - Judah Ben Hur
Stephen Boyd - Messala
Jack Hawkins - Quintus Arrius
Haya Harareet - Esther
Hugh Griffith - Sheik Ilderim

See All Cast & Crew

Details

Cast & Crew

Ratings & Reviews

Overall Customer Rating

4.9

57 Reviews

Most Helpful ReviewsSee all reviews

njmadman
5 out of 55
One of the greatest!
February 18, 2015
an all time classic! an epic in every sense of the word.
I would recommend this to a friend
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.
Post Comment
danzar64
5 out of 55
neverending classic!
December 12, 2014
ben-hur is one of those epics that must be seen by everyone at least once due to the magnificent scope and the knowledge that not one bit of cgi exists in this film. in a movie that's 55 yrs old it truly shows masters of their respective crafts
I would recommend this to a friend
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.
Post Comment
MisplacedOkie
5 out of 55
Another favorite
January 19, 2010
Another of my favorites. I have about 5 favorite, early Christian movies. All were on tape and I now have 3 on DVD. Good thing as I tend to watch them over and over. Young people today would do well to watch this classic. What a great way to see a story of Early Christians who had to suffer much at the hands of Ancient Rome. The arrogance of the Romans is quite profound. The fear of disease (in this case, leprosy), the abuse by the conquerers, yet the honor some of those same conquerers showed a Jew after he saves the life of an admiral is quite a contrast. The action of the chariot race, and the brutality the losers suffered when they couldn't get out of the way in time is horrifying. Even when Messala cheats by having iron blades installed on his chariot's wheels in order to destroy his opponents in the circus seems perfectly acceptable. What a different time and place! For those of you who must have some romance--it's there. For those of you who must have smut and filth, you'll be disappointed. This film is art, not trash.
I would recommend this to a friend
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.
Post Comment
fiddler
5 out of 55
Classic Excellence
July 29, 2008
What classic doesn't have an amazingly deep and pure plot behind it? For this generation, young people actually have to be forced in classes to watch old classics to ever actually watch them. With all the crazy special effects and amazingly good looking (with makeup, expensive gowns, fake tans, surgery, personal trainer) actors there's nothing visually "WOW!" about classical movies that would lure the youth into it. I am an example of this. We watched this in Latin class in high school twice a year for five years, and I enjoyed it every time. It's a quiet not overly dramatic, and innocently sweet masterpiece bringing to life the roman history we have been taught.
I would recommend this to a friend
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.
Post Comment
BARCHIE
5 out of 55
Ben Hur Bluray is Spectacular
June 8, 2015
My favorite movie of all time. The story is timeless and the acting is flawless with spectacular special effects. Miklos Rozsa's soundtrack is one of the best of all time. If you have never watched this movie you are in for a real treat.
I would recommend this to a friend
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.
Post Comment
Stridersbox
5 out of 55
Great Movie Class
December 2, 2014
Loved the movie as a kid. Now it is even better since the blu ray release!
I would recommend this to a friend
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.
Post Comment
TONY
5 out of 55
GREAT VERSION
November 29, 2014
This is a really good version to get due to the Exyra Bonus Materials and Bonus Disc.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.
Post Comment
cureall41
5 out of 55
Ben Hur
November 19, 2014
Great movie and great packaging. This is a must buy.
I would recommend this to a friend
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.
Post Comment

Classic Excellence Posted by: fiddler from: on What classic doesn't have an amazingly deep and pure plot behind it? For this generation, young people actually have to be forced in classes to watch old classics to ever actually watch them. With all the crazy special effects and amazingly good looking (with makeup, expensive gowns, fake tans, surgery, personal trainer) actors there's nothing visually "WOW!" about classical movies that would lure the youth into it. I am an example of this. We watched this in Latin class in high school twice a year for five years, and I enjoyed it every time. It's a quiet not overly dramatic, and innocently sweet masterpiece bringing to life the roman history we have been taught.

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

Another favorite Posted by: MisplacedOkie from: Texas on Another of my favorites. I have about 5 favorite, early Christian movies. All were on tape and I now have 3 on DVD. Good thing as I tend to watch them over and over. Young people today would do well to watch this classic. What a great way to see a story of Early Christians who had to suffer much at the hands of Ancient Rome. The arrogance of the Romans is quite profound. The fear of disease (in this case, leprosy), the abuse by the conquerers, yet the honor some of those same conquerers showed a Jew after he saves the life of an admiral is quite a contrast. The action of the chariot race, and the brutality the losers suffered when they couldn't get out of the way in time is horrifying. Even when Messala cheats by having iron blades installed on his chariot's wheels in order to destroy his opponents in the circus seems perfectly acceptable. What a different time and place! For those of you who must have some romance--it's there. For those of you who must have smut and filth, you'll be disappointed. This film is art, not trash.

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

One of the greatest! Posted by: njmadman from: Little Falls, NJ on an all time classic! an epic in every sense of the word.

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

neverending classic! Posted by: danzar64 from: Omaha, NE on ben-hur is one of those epics that must be seen by everyone at least once due to the magnificent scope and the knowledge that not one bit of cgi exists in this film. in a movie that's 55 yrs old it truly shows masters of their respective crafts

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

Great epic movie Posted by: james7 from: on Its a great movie everyone should watch and have in their collection. The scenes are beautiful and the acting is very old school. There is a great plot as well.