Ben Hur

[Man of Harveys]

Anyone else actually watched this behemoth of a film from start to finish as I did over the weekend? (yes, I was/am poorly). It's really bloody good and far from just a chariot race with a film attached, as it has been described.

Although, that race: I'm trying to think of a better action sequence in any film, ever - you KNOW that Charlton Heston is going to win, you KNOW the other bloke's legs are going to be bloody like raw meat afterwards and still it's magnificent. I might get the DVD, it has tasty extras on it.

 

[B.M.F]

Uninteresting fact of the day for you is that the bloke that falls from the chariot and gets trampled actually happened. they asked his wife if they could still use the footage and she agreed as her husbands life was the movie industry and it was the biggest film he had been in

 

[shingle]

One of the all time greats

 

[bhaexpress]

Not everybody liked it when it came out, one critic said this, 'Loved him, hated Hur'.

 

[Man of Harveys]

Uninteresting fact of the day for you is that the bloke that falls from the chariot and gets trampled actually happened. they asked his wife if they could still use the footage and she agreed as her husbands life was the movie industry and it was the biggest film he had been in

Uninteresting: it wouldn't be if it weren't untrue: http://www.snopes.com/movies/films/benhur.htm

That 1926 version looks a blast.

 

[B.M.F]

Uninteresting: it wouldn't be if it weren't untrue: http://www.snopes.com/movies/films/benhur.htm

That 1926 version looks a blast.

 

[Parson Henry]

MoH

It is my favourite film. Asd was demonstrated by my previous avatar.

 

[Tony Meolas Loan Spell]

I see hate in your eyes. Hate keeps a man alive 41 (or whatever his number was on the galleon)

 

[Man of Harveys]

MoH

It is my favourite film. Asd was demonstrated by my previous avatar.

What, that little weasily old man? In black and white? Who did he play, "pallid and useless galley slave right at the back"?

 

[robbied69]

My mum loves anything with Ben Hur. Epic film haven't watched the whole of it though.

 

[Juan Albion]

Currently sitting here watching Charlton Heston in 'Earthquake.' It is not quite as good.

 

[Parson Henry]

Currently sitting here watching Charlton Heston in 'Earthquake.' It is not quite as good.

They still have the 'Earthquake ' ride at Universal studios.


'RIDE THE MOVIES' is the famous slogon...intrigued I spent all day looking for the 9 1/2 Weeks attraction.

 

[Juan Albion]

Uh-oh, I think the dam is going to blow!

 

[Gwylan]

I saw Ben Hur performed by a cast of six at Battersea Arts Centre a couple of years ago. Now that was some spectacle.

 

[Parson Henry]

I saw Ben Hur performed by a cast of six at Battersea Arts Centre a couple of years ago. Now that was some spectacle.

How did they do the sea battle?

 

[Man of Harveys]

Currently sitting here watching Charlton Heston in 'Earthquake.' It is not quite as good.

We'll be able to enjoy all of his output again soon - apparently his Alzheimers is sadly very advanced so his rifle might indeed soon be able to be pried from his cold, dead hands, as the great man himself once requested.

I'd rank his movie performances as follows:
1. Ben Hur
2. Wayne's World 2
3. Bowling For Columbine

 

[Juan Albion]

I'd put Bowling as his #1.

 

[Gwylan]

Nah, Charlton Heston's only decent performance was in Orson Welles' A Touch of Evil - a truly great film, despite Chuck's presence.

Perry - the sea battle was carried out with the aid of some chairs - as was the chariot race. It was one of the most inventive nights at the theatre that I've ever seen.

 

[Parson Henry]

Great special effects...

 

[Man of Harveys]

Perry - the sea battle was carried out with the aid of some chairs - as was the chariot race. It was one of the most inventive nights at the theatre that I've ever seen.

It sounds good - unless the novelty of the "hey, it's an epic but let's do it right here" factor wears off. Did it go on for as long as the film?