BEN-HUR (1959) Movie REACTION! (Part 1)

[@Dej24601]

A great deal of this was shot on location in Italy and at huge sets in Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, with some sea battles done in watertanks in Hollywood and filming took 9 months.

[@markraffety3246]

For me the sequence where Christ gives Ben Hur water is the greatest scene in film history, rivaled only by Quint's monologue in JAWS. I recall reading somewhere that Heston stated the actor playing the brutal officer should have won a supporting actor award. The interplay of emotions across his face was very well done.

[@Rick-jf6sg]

In his books, Heston said the actor playing Christ was an opera singer named Claude Heater, who died just recently, in his 90s. He and Heston were longtime friends. Also, the actor who played the beefy-faced Centurian was a restauranteur in Rome, flown in to play this part. His facial reactions, Heston said, was because he was seeing pure divinity in the face of Christ.

[@billolsen4360]

I always hoped that the brutal officer turned out to later be Cornelius in Acts 10.

[@billolsen4360]

@@Rick-jf6sg That restauranteur looks like he might have been an effective believer in life.

[@matthewvelazquez2013]

I agree. Beautiful.

[@texasps91]

It's an insult to even Try a remake of such and epic amazing masterpiece. This is THE one and only one that should Ever be seen. Blessings Madison!

[@MartinCanada]

Respectfully, Fred Niblo's silent version of Ben Hur (1925) is not entirely without charm. Even today, a century after its release, the original feature-length treatment delivers The Tale of the Christ's message with considerable impact and dramatic flair for patient viewers. The silent film's technical accomplishments are notable -- e.g. the sea battle, and the chariot race (with the camera's placement in a trench, a trick replicated in the 1959 remake) -- as well as the several large crowd scenes and production design. This film has been restored with tints and is complete (running some 141 minutes) -- and has also been included in the US National Film Registry. The silent version is a lovely counterpoint to William Wyler's talkie, effectively comprising a triptych along with Parts I and II of the remake for viewing on successive nights over Easter weekend. One merely has to commit to putting the smartphones away, and make time to enjoy the wonder of epic film-making in the days before CGI and the advent of the Marvel Universe. Cheers.

[@watchmanschannelofdespair]

@@MartinCanada Agreed.

[@richardscanlan3419]

@@watchmanschannelofdespair also agree.But that modern version was just rank.

[@Prospro8]

It's a novel. A very famous American novel. That means it will be adapted and refilmed again and again. The word 'remake' isn't relevant.

[@patticrichton1135]

@@MartinCanada I first saw the 1925 silent version of Ben-Hur on TCM and now own it on DVD, it is absolutely AMAZING, especially the chariot race.....this 1959 version is almost identical to how it was done in the 1925 movie. It is WELL WORTH everyone to see it. I also saw the recent remake in the theaters and really hated it. It's NOTHING like the 1959 version, the visuals were dark, not a lot of color, the ending was different which I didn't like either. It just proves to me that remakes of very classic films are SELDOM better than the original classic. I wouldn't waste my time on the recent remake if you haven't seen it yet. DON'T BOTHER. Stick with the 1959 Charlton Heston Ben-Hur and ALSO take a look at the 1925 silent version which is really remarkable and well done.

[@smedleybutler1969]

This may be the most epic movie ever made but very few reactors have done it,Great job as usual Madison!

[@garyclarke9685]

Well sure it's epic but the 10 commandments is next level.

[@willardchi2571]

@@garyclarke9685 Nah. The Ten Commandments is not very good, and would not hold up well today. (Even disregarding some of the crude, cartoonish special effects when the commandments were inscribed on the tablets. Although the parting of the Red Sea wasn't too bad--I believe they made that effect by filming the water coming in, and the playing it backwards to produce the effect). Basically, the Ten Commandments is dated and cheesy.

[@garyclarke9685]

@@willardchi2571 we will have to agree to disagree. I thought the special effects were really well done especially with the plagues. The ring of fire was cartoonish as was the burning bush & I suppose the fire used for the inscription however why does it have to be real fire I quite liked this effect. When I said it was epic I was referring to its cast of thousands & to how the city was being built by Moses which was quite incredible.

[@Eowyn187]

​@@garyclarke9685 I love the 10 Commandments dearly. But Ben Hur is a step above. In several aspects.

[@garyclarke9685]

@@Eowyn187 how? Like to hear your thoughts. When it comes to the emotion & the revenge aspect ultimately ending with peace & redemption regarding Ben hur then Ben hur is way more superior but I'm talking about epicness & scale & breathtaking scenery surely the 10 commandments beats everyone other film

[@laurab68707]

It truly is one of the best epic films ever. This and The Ten Commandments.

[@macroman52]

I remember one of the posters for Monty Python's Life of Brian said "makes Ben Hur look like an epic!!1"

[@josephschembri]

And Quo Vadis

[@mikejohnson9118]

The Consul of Rome is an EXTREMMELY powerful position. It is essentially the Attorney General and the Secretary of Defense combined. Typically only the combined Senate or the Emperor outrank the Consul.

[@jamesconfrey9117]

Thank you for likeing this movie, It`s one of my favorite films of all time, now part two after the intermission, is where things gets wild, the chariot race, is one one the best parts in movie history ever, never been better.

[@jameslongest6410]

There's a reason this movie won 11 Oscars and numerous other awards. Its just that good! You're gonna love the second half.

[@putinscat1208]

No CGI

[@paintedjaguar]

@@putinscat1208 No "C" in 1959... 😁

[@putinscat1208]

@@paintedjaguar Yeah, I didn't ask 'No CGI?' But that is not entirely true. We did not have transistor computers, but mechanical and other computers did exist.

[@billolsen4360]

@@putinscat1208 The technology at this time for CGI was pretty basic, but Hitchcock used in the same year in Vertigo.

[@northshore1000]

I’ve seen tons of movies in my 62 years of life, and Ben Hur is my all time favorite. Can’t remember how many times I’ve seen it. Just hearing the music & that intro I fight to hold back tears.

[@RenfrewPrume]

I saw this at age 6 in a drive-in with my parents about a year after it came out (movies hung around for a long time then). It impressed me tremendously then and now. An early issue of “American Film,” the AFI magazine, had an interview with Heston (or maybe an article about this movie, I don’t remember which). In that, Heston said the scene of Masala and Ben-Hur’s first meeting was the first of his scenes to be shot. Heston was terrifically nervous about it and struggled to figure out how to play it because he knew that it would set the tone for everything to come. He nailed it and won the Academy Award. My favorite scene has always been when Jesus gives Ben-Hur water and then the centurion backs off---a great portrayal of moral power, beautifully acted.

[@scotttedford7748]

The first time I saw this, it was at a drive-in as you did. I was 5 or 6. Coincidentally, I teared up during the scene where Jesus gave Ben Hur water. That scene has stuck with me to this day. I also remember the scene where the guards located his mother and sister in the dungeon. I was confused as to why "leopards" would be in their cell! My parents explained leprosy to me. My brothers cracked up about the "leopards" and teased me mercilessly for the longest time.

[@MsAppassionata]

@@scotttedford7748😂😂😂

[@Don-ol8ze]

Among so many other aspects that are pure greatness in this film, the music is absolutely incredible. Nothing conveys "ROME!" so much as that opening march. Also, RAMMING SPEED!

[@uncatila]

My favorite painting in Florence Italy is where you don't see the Madonna's face but the joy on the face of Baby Jesus looking at her is beatific.

[@lisathuban8969]

The 1950's version of Ben Hur gets an 85% on the Rotten Tomatoes website. The Ben Hur from 2016 gets a 25%. That tells you a lot.

[@patticrichton1135]

Yes the 2016 version was TERRIBLE. I would never give it a second look. As for this 1959 version, I first saw it in the theaters in 1959 when I was 12 years old. Since then I have watched it every year it was on TV which in the last 40 years or so, is usually EVERY year around Christmas or Easter on various channels /cable channels, I NEVER miss one and never tire of it. I have the DVD for it as well. I have also gone to see it in the movie theater when it is brought back. Seeing it in a movie theater with the sound system they have now, is INCREDIBLE, particularly during the chariot race.....the beating of the horses hooves on the track just resonates in your body. it doesn't do that when you watch it at home. Even if you have seen it many times on TV/Cable or on line, if you EVER get a chance to see it in a movie theater (if you never have before)...GO and see it. It's quite the experience seeing it on the big screen with a great sound system DO the SAME for "THE TEN COMMANDMENTS" also starring Charleton Heston and Yul Brynner, AND for "GONE WITH THE WIND" ALL are fantastic on the Giant screen.

[@shainewhite2781]

Winner of 11 Oscars including Best Picture.

[@phillipridgway8317]

Many Roman period epics around this time were actually filmed in and around Rome and its studios, because they had the scenery, along with huge numbers of Roman costumes and sets, which all made it easier and cheaper than recreating all that in Hollywood. Ben-Hur was one of these films, and Cleopatra (1963) was another. Great reaction Madison, I look forward to part 2.

[@novanights2chevy597]

Ester in the darkened dilapidated courtyard reacting to Judah's return is my favorite scene. Haya Harareet. Wow. Her name sounds like an exclamation!

[@janviljoen7001]

She was a Palestinian actress.

[@davidpurcell8628]

It is a heartbreaking scene

[@AdmiralNuke]

A Jewish Palestinian ​@@janviljoen7001

[@scottmonk]

This film has the most beautiful score I've ever heard. Miklos Rosza won a 3rd Oscar for it. The overture is my favorite piece of music to this day.

[@Eowyn187]

Oh my goodness. No reaction has ever grabbed my attention like this one just did!! It's wonderful to see someone reacting to the greatest movie ever put on film. Only movie that is, imo, absolutely flawless. And I cannot even convey the magnitude of beauty. There's beautiful movies, and there's very well-done movies. But none can compare to this masterpiece. I'm so thrilled, and hyped, to see you watch this. Thank you for gracing KZbin with it.

[@markr.devereux3385]

I rate it no.1 of the 1950s. You have your GONE WITH THE WIND and CITIZEN KANE but none have the message this epic movie drives home.

[@zulby09]

My father’s and my favourite movie of all time. I can watch this film every year and still not get bored at all. I bought it on vhs tape, vcd, dvd, and Blu-ray Discs. Loved every frame of Ben Hur 1959 directed by William Wyler

[@garyclarke9685]

My favourite too

[@aaaht3810]

I saw this when it first came out. I was nine years old. Several things struck me then as they do now. In the opening Nativity scene where the calf bounds across the set be with its mother; when Jesus stares down the centurion: when the Roman galley comes along side the enemy ship and snaps off the oars (great special effect); and the unbelievably dark and dank cell where his mother and sister were kept (when I first saw it I thought the Roman said they were "leopards"). My mother set me straight and I remember going home and looking up leprosy in the encyclopedia.

[@robertrowland5813]

I was 13 in 1959 and saw the movie many times after seeing the film in its road show engagement. It was, and continues to be, an extremely moving motion picture. It is by far my most favorite film.

[@4thlinemaniac356]

@Mauro Biglino & The 5Th Kind channels.​@@robertrowland5813

[@jasonsumner3386]

One of the best movies ever made. Period. I am hoping it comes out on 4k Blu ray some day.

[@melenatorr]

In many places in the Middle East and elsewhere, burping is, indeed, a sign that the food was good and that you enjoyed it.

[@Straun30]

It cannot be understated, the sheer size of this set, lots of paintings sure, but the sets were massive. The extras were at least in the hundreds. And yes, burping in some cultures shows you liked the food and its very polite. And also, I cant believe you are making us wait to finish the show! As for leperousy, People had no choice, no one knew how it spread, but it was an absolute death sentence. Your body rots and you are alive to watch it.

[@postscript67]

Among the incidental pleasures of the film are the Arab chariot racer with a Welsh accent (Hugh Griffith), and the Wise Man Balthazar with a Scottish accent (Finlay Currie); two excellent supporting actors they were.

[@janviljoen7001]

Many of the racers were rodeo men from the USA.

[@charlessperling7031]

@@janviljoen7001 Currie is also Magwitch in the 1946 "Great Expectations."

[@billolsen4360]

A pastor in town recently told us that the Wise Men From The East were from Babylon and were there because Daniel left his Old Testament book with the Babylonians. And, the Babylonian king always hired Wise Men from all over, India, Africa, Judea, Syria, etc.

[@Tannhauser62]

I think Steven Boyd as Masala steals the film, it's an electrifying performance.

[@JoyfulOceanSunset-bx9ec]

I think i have watched Ben Hur a million times Charlton Heston was my favourite actor❤

[@albertliu1068]

They used to build movie set like this costing millions. The movie ' Cleopatra' by Taylor and Burton in 1963 similar to BEN-HUR nearly bankrupted Twentieth Century-Fox. After 'Cleopatra' Twentieth Century-Fox only had money left to make 2 medium quality or one good quality movie to save the studio. The management wisely went for the latter solution and produced 'The Sound of Music' in 1965 which not just saved the studio and the movie was able to bring in continuous profit through TV/movie right, books, plays and merchandise until the mid 1970s. The Sound of Music was the most profitable movie for Twentieth Century-Fox for nearly 25 years!

[@billolsen4360]

The money-wasting was worse than that! Originally, 20th Century Fox tried to recreate ancient Rome on the island of Britain, and believe it or not, rain spoiled & delayed the production. So they had to replace major actors and build entirely new sets, props & costumes in Italy. Then Liz Taylor got really ill with pneumonia in Rome & that shut production down for over 5 weeks. Meanwhile, Fox was paying for 1st class hotels + chauffeured cars in Rome for the major actors who were idle for all that time.

[@Wyatt_McCollum]

Finally someone else reacts to this! Need more reactors watching this.

[@KayQue-s3r]

This & "The Ten Commandments" have been traditional Easter weekend rituals in my home(s) for many, many years. The latter in respectful honor of Passover but both are just amazing films with Heston in the leads. Ben Hur on Sat night & TTC on ABC Sunday night.

[@patticrichton1135]

Same with me, every year for both movies

[@user-jb8qq9fk6m]

The novel Ben Hur was written by Lew Wallace who was Governor of the New Mexico Territory during the Lincoln County War.

[@marieoleary527]

Lew Wallace was also. Civil War General.

[@colinglen4505]

I think he postumously pardoned Bill the Kid.

[@edmoser7577]

Gen. Lew Wallace was "disgraced" at the Battle of Shiloh by arriving late with his men. After the Civil War he wrote Ben Hur in part to redeem his reputation.

[@billolsen4360]

The Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, wherein Lew Wallace wrote the novel, is still there, a stately adobe creation right in the middle of town.

[@Requinix17]

This movie is one of the greatest of all time. So good

[@steelers6titles]

The 1925 version helped establish the young Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio as a presence in Hollywood.

[@JessicaChastainFan]

It's 2024, and Ben-Hur 1959 is still the greatest motion picture ever made.

[@steelers6titles]

The emperor in question is Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus, the second of the Juleo-Claudians, who ruled from AD 14 to 37. He was the stepson, adopted son, and heir of Caesar Augustus. He fell into depravity, eventually living in self-imposed exile. Several historians believe that he was murdered by his grandnephew Caligula, who succeeded him.

[@charlessperling7031]

We get a poignant sense of Tiberius in the "I, Claudius" TV series: his mother Livia intrigued for him to become Emperor, and when he finally did, he no longer wanted the position. George Baker is Tiberius, and he has some interesting credits: voice work on George Lazenby's lone James Bond picture, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," and Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wexford on television. The "T." in "Captain James T. Kirk" stands for "Tiberius." Fittingly, in "I, Claudius," Tiberius almost falls a victim to Sejanus...played by future Enterprise captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart, with hair).

[@billolsen4360]

@@charlessperling7031 Who would recognize Patrick Stewart in his old films with his hair? I suppose his voice might give him away.

[@babychannel8758]

The best movie ever made. I was crying at the end just as much as you were. Time to break out my Ben Hur Blu-ray and watch it again.

[@tigqc]

Three years in the galleys was considered unheard of. It was more common for men to die after just a few months of service.

[@Stoic1976]

I’m currently watching with my daughter. It’s her first time seeing it and my first time truly appreciating how epic this movie is. The actors, Heston can deliver a line, costumes, perfect timing, intermission over gotta go

[@lifelover515]

I went to school with a girl whose father had been an extra in Ben Hur. How's that for a brush with fame? I was at the impressionable age of 13 when I saw it at the drive-in, and was enthused enough to plough through Lew Wallace's sprawling, pious, melodramatic epic within the year. Yes, the production values were fantastic (kudos to William Wyler) and I agree not showing JC's face was very effective in the context. You're such good company. Madison. Thanks for sharing and see you in Part 2.

[@marieoleary527]

@lifelover ❤️ The book too! It’s s good read!

[@patticrichton1135]

@lifelover515, Typically Christ's face and entire being is ONLY shown in a movie that is totally about HIM. As in "KING OF KINGS" "THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD" and numerous other movies, docudramas, biographies about Christ's life. Otherwise, as in Ben-Hur, if Jesus is a secondary presence in a movie, the actor portraying Jesus is only seen from the back, or lower body....his face is never shown. ANOTHER GREAT film that I watch every year, where Jesus is a secondary character is "THE ROBE" starring RICHARD BURTON. There too, you never seen Christ's face,.

[@cliffordwaterton3543]

Contains possibly the best 'action' scene in Cinematic History - the Chariot Race - no CGI!

[@TedLittle-yp7uj]

The stunts were directed by Yakima Canute who wanted to outdo the chariot scene in the silent version. After viewing the original, he changed his goal: to just be half as good. I think he more than succeeded.

[@jeffreyjeziorski1480]

And the great entrance of the Chariots music. Stirring, epic.

[@garyclarke9685]

Agreed. Really has to be. I was blown away by every aspect of the race sequence.

[@johnwest5837]

Does anyone notice the rubber tire tracks in front of the chariots during the race?

[@garyclarke9685]

@@johnwest5837 no too focused on the race. Rumour has it a red maxi can also be seen but I've never seen it.

[@RealTechZen]

The aspect ratio of this production gave it just about the widest screen ever attempted with anamorphic lenses. When Quintus Arias handed the cup to Ben-Hur first and then drank after him, he publicly acknowledged him as a social equal, a free Roman. As recently as 30 years ago, in middle eastern cultures, a hearty belch from a man at the end of a meal was considered a gesture of gratitude, and failing to belch was equally a sleight. I went to dinner at the home of a Turkish friend, and his wife and mother in law prepared the meal. There were chicken, beef, and lamb dishes. I was especially interested in the lamb, so I took a much larger portion of it, by the end of the meal, I'd had 3 small portions each of beef and chicken, but 2 quite large portions of lamb. Aziz's mother in law apologized, commenting that I had only eaten 2 servings of lamb instead of 3, and if she had known I didn't like lamb she would not have forced it upon me.😮

[@willardchi2571]

The chariot race still holds up today--and it was made without CGI. I seem to remember that one of the "stunts" during the race was an actual mishap captured on film.

[@garyclarke9685]

That's correct. Very hard to watch that scene when it happens. Think it was the actor standing up against the wall.

[@stevetheduck1425]

@@garyclarke9685Nope. Several realistic rubber dummies were trampled in this film, but the accident on screen is when Heston's chariot-jump caused the stuntman to be nearly flipped out of the front of the chariot. A quick insert shot of Heston climbing back in, all good.

[@robertrowland5813]

Found this: No body died in filming the race, but ""Joe Canutt, doubling for Heston, received the only injury when he was flipped out of chariot, catching himself on the center hitching rail before pulling himself back in place. His only injury was a gash on his chin requiring four stitches. The scene was used in the final print."

[@njzynj]

It's so good to see someone reacting to these old movies. These are the movies that I grew up with. These are the movies that I love and identify with. And Ben, Hur is one of my all-time favorites. Thank you! I'm so glad I found your channel.

[@yaimavol]

So few reactors have done this movie. The most epic film ever made. Even now the action scenes at the end still hold up

[@garyclarke9685]

Hers is the only reaction I know now I'm happy just needed one person to react & she is perfect because she is so genuine & passionate about older films

[@jamesrippy1161]

One of the greatest movies ever made totally agree with hands-down the greatest race scene ever committed to film 🎥 because it took a year for them to build the set for the chariot race and it took several months to film the sequence something like that sequence could never be filmed in modern times

[@garyclarke9685]

I agree. Even the 2016 film the chariot race was not as good.

[@MsAppassionata]

@@garyclarke9685 If you ever get the chance, watch the silent version of this film from 1925. The chariot race in that one is excellent.

[@garyclarke9685]

@@MsAppassionata actually I have & it was extraordinary. No shortage of stuntmen in the 20's although I'm also aware many actors did there own stunts like Harold loyld. (Wrong speak spelling I know lol) Just my personal opinion but I wish CGI wasn't overused as much as it is today.

[@robertrowland5813]

Both Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd drove their chariots in most of the scenes of the race.

[@Stogie2112]

35:35 Balthazar's monologue is one of the best in film history. "I see this terrible thing in your eyes, Judah Ben Hur....."

[@robertmoraga1501]

Yes, he had some great lines in his limited screen time! Like when he was ruminating about Jesus; how he had seen the sunset that evening just as they had and acknowledging that all people would hence forth bear his mark...

[@robertjewell9727]

My friend Juliet's dad did the music for this film. It's one of my favorites of his, along with the film noir THE RED HOUSE (1947) and the fantasy adventure THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1973). both would be great to react to. 😊 Happy Easter!

[@richelliott9320]

The golden voyage is great

[@robertrowland5813]

Miklós Rózsa earned an academy award for his wonderful rousing musical score for "Ben Hur".

[@wraithby]

Barabbas with Anthony Quinn a great Good Friday / Easter film...

[@tehawfulestface1337]

My late mom’s most favorite film. From her commentaries and descriptions of the film, I grew up thinking that if you look up the definition of ‘epic’ in the dictionary, it will say: “watch Ben-Hur!” I love your reactions to the reunion of Judah Ben-Hur and Masala. Your reactions are subtle and quiet, but the slight smile, smirk, frown, grimace, the rolling of your eyes, throughout their interaction was loud and clear. That was so much fun and brilliant, I rewatched it several times just for your facial reactions.

[@williewilliams6571]

THIS is the version of Ben-Hur you will remember. Charelton Heston was one of the greatest actors of our time. During the 1950s, 60s, and some of the 70s MANY of the big epic films were done on location. Due to currency exchange rates and various tax laws in Europe at the time US film companies had funds "trapped" in various countries so they used that money to make some of the greatest films ever.

[@gregkral4467]

Oh…… the love and kindness in those hands giving living water……..

[@susanfox6666]

Congrats on the 25K!!! Ben Hur is a terrific film!

[@ThistleAndSea]

Congratulations, Madison!! This is such an epic film. I'm enjoying rewatching it with you. I hope you get a chance too to see Spartacus sometime. It's another old school epic film that I think you would enjoy. Thanks for sharing this one. 🙂 I'm looking forward to part 2!

[@marcelopaolillo9848]

The movie was filmed in Cinecitta, Italy. Most of the sets are real, built by carpenters. Such a joy watching you react to greatest movie ever.

[@wfemp_4730]

Although I'm an atheist, this is one of my favorite movies. Also: Haya Harareet...Yowza!

[@robertmoraga1501]

About time someone else acknowledged her! Thank you. And such great chemistry with Chuck!

[@Daniel73-23]

That dialogue between Judah and Masala after Judah gives him the horse, is one of the greatest pieces of dialogue in cinema history: Passionate, intense, intelligent, and supremely well written! Off the top of my head, I can't think of anything better.

[@stevequinn1424]

Apparently the director told Steven Boyd (Messala) that his character had a gay relationship with Judah when they were boys. They knew Charlton Heston would freak so this was not told to him. Just watch the scenes between Judah and Messala and the intensity with which Mr Boyd plays the subtext, it is very clear.

[@Thewingkongexchange]

As soon I saw this in my feed I jumped on it. As far as BIG epics go, this is my favourite - a real journey of despair, revenge and enlightenment. People tend to cite the chariot race as the only talking point, but this one has so much more to it.

[@gregkral4467]

The absolute beauty and lessons in Ben Hur…… what. A legacy of a story from a military officer author… I thank God for this story.

[@thomast8539]

One of the best films right here. So, now that you know Charlton Heston and Gregory Peck, please watch them both in The Big Country, along with Jean Simmons, another great western. Then you should look for Peck in Twelve O'Clock High and Heston in WIll Penny.

[@marieoleary527]

@thomast8539 Oh, the Big Country for sure. I think he made the ten commandments, Ben Hur and the Big Country, one right after another.

[@charlieeckert4321]

Couldn't agree more with all these choices!

[@howardadamkramer]

This is actually the best movie for Holy week as it combines great elements of both Judaism and Christianity.

[@melanie62954]

I love this movie so much! It's my favorite Christian-themed movie, partly because of what you pointed out--that Christ's face is never shown. We see the effect that his teachings and kindness have, but I think it was a wise decision not to try to depict him onscreen here. Can't wait for part 2!

[@garyclarke9685]

I agree

[@couch.patati-patata]

The best movie ever.

[@robertmoraga1501]

Thx folks! I knew I couldn't be alone on this. :)

[@randallsorensen9836]

You are the gold standard of reactors.

[@flashgordon6238]

This is one of those movies that used to be shown once a year around Easter. We would always watch this and the annual showing of Wizard of Oz.

[@Stogie2112]

Giving a good belch after a meal is the ultimate compliment! You told your host that the food was great!

[@woverby1963]

A little fun fact i noticed not long ago, probably a lot of people have seen it. The actress who plays Charlton Heston's mother in this movie also played his mother in the Ten Commandments. Was watching these movies a few months back and just happened to notice that!

[@BigJoeEspo]

If you like Charlton Heston in Ben Hur, you'll love him in The Ten Commandments... Another classic.

[@rcrawford42]

The ram at the front of a galley was called a rostrum. A display of half a dozen rams captured from Carthaginian ships was in the Forum in Rome, and people would stand in front of it and make speeches. The modern sense has flipped it around -- the speaker now stands behind a rostrum, and they're not made from war trophies.

[@lessevdoolbretsim]

I just remembered what Charlton Heston said that his chariot rider teacher said to him when Charlton was about to try a take. He said, "Look, just stay in the chariot and i guarantee you you'll win the damn race!"

[@Huntress59]

Great reaction! I love your choices of movies .

[@rayvanhorn1534]

One of my absolute top five favorite films ever, so glad you're doing this one Madison...it is indeed an epic.

[@olaspaz3079]

Great stuff! They don't make 'em like that no more.

[@gregkral4467]

My father’s mom read this book during WWII foraging in forest. Is a powerful family love.

[@leroywallis3142]

I would love to see part two !?!

[@BlueShadow777]

The reason this movie is so good is that it was released in the year i was born, 1959… a great year! 👍🏻😎👍🏻

[@infonut]

Still bawl my eyes out after NUMEROUS viewings. Blessed are we.

[@jpwcpa]

Nice reaction, Madison! The 1925 version of the movie was also regarded as an epic, and deservedly so. The same can't be said for the first Ben-Hur movie, from 1907, which was only 15 minutes long.

[@MadisonKThames]

Thanks so much for the super thanks!💖 Glad you enjoyed the reaction!

[@madelineback5220]

Love this film. I have always thought the musical score is phenomenal. The birth of Jesus is accompanied by a beautiful melody, part lullabye, part joyful welcome of a king. Stunningly beautiful

[@TheTerryGene]

A note of interest for western fan Madison: this film is based on a novel by Civil War General Lew Wallace. Wallace was the territorial governor who offered amnesty to Billy the Kid. He was also the chief judge in the trial of Henry Wirz, the commandant of Andersonville Prison.

[@aliceharper707]

I got to see this in the movie theater in 1968. It was billed as a double feature after 2001 a space Odyssey. There were so many scenes in the theatrical version that were cut for TV and I will never forget being able to see this in the theater when I was a teenager.

[@cptchaotic]

I would agree this movie is incredible not just for 1959 but for all time. Can you imagine if movies of today were held to the standards of this movie how good movies would be today.

[@leosarmiento4823]

There's a reason this film was the winner of 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Charlton Heston), Best Supporting Actor (Hugh Griffith), and Best Director (William Wyler).

[@JesseOaks-ef9xn]

My brother, my youngest sister, and I saw this movie when it came out. It was epic seeing it on the big screen. We couldn't stop thinking about for months after we saw it. I believe the actress who played Ben Hur's mother also played Moses' mother in the Ten Commandments. Next weeks chariot races took over a year to film. It was billed as having "a cast of thousands". They had a huge cast of extras for this movie.

[@davidyess1]

Those horses!

[@buckdurant5336]

My all time fav movie.💪

[@johnchrysostomon6284]

An amazing picture giving rise to the expression "Bigger than Ben-Hur". Based on the novel of a Unionist general of the Civi War

[@richiecabral3602]

I know the chariot race hasn't come up yet, and I can't remember if this is something that has come up before on this channel, but Yakima Canutt was the 2nd Unit Director that shot and choreographed the chariot race scene. If it hasn't come up before, Yakima Canutt was an ex rodeo star, turned stuntman that is pretty legendary. John Wayne worked with him a lot in his very early days, and together they developed a lot of the techniques for shooting fight scenes, that are basically still used today, and John Wayne had said that a lot of the style that's attributed to him, he learned from watching Yakima Canutt, and just tried to copy.

[@garyclarke9685]

Interesting thanks for that. I still shake my head in disbelief just how good & realistic the chariot race is & couldn't be bettered not even by today's standards.

[@guscarlson7021]

Thanks for doing this one Mads, .

[@dunringill1747]

Congratulations on 25K subs! The scope of this movie is the very definition of an "Epic". Charlton Heston starred in another epic movie with an all star cast - "The Ten Commandments". Even many of the actors who played minor parts had commanding acting voices.

[@DamonNomad82]

I just discovered your channel, and really enjoyed watching your reaction to this movie (which I saw several times in my teens, as my family owned a video copy of it). Congratulations on getting to 25K subscribers! That number just went up by one more... This movie set a record for most Academy Awards won by a single film with 11, which has never been surpassed (though two later movies, "Titanic" and "Lord of the Rings, Return of the King" have tied it). It employed over 50,000 extras, allowing for an especially large crowd of spectators for the chariot race. Most of the filming was done in Italy, though some of the scenes were also filmed at studios in Hollywood. At the end of its initial theatrical run, it was the second highest earning film in history, surpassed only by "Gone With the Wind".

[@stevewest7851]

Great review! The production level of the movie is so great, it's easy to overlook the acting. Every character is so believable. The script is top-notch too, especially considering how cheesy movies of that era could be.

[@MikeFugily-hj3ok]

I agree, great timing indeed for Easter 😊

[@TedLittle-yp7uj]

I am sure you will never forget the plot of this version.

[@user-lj9pb9io8n]

You have got to see his other movies the biggest one he made i think is The Ten Commandments .. 😮 AWESOME EPIC MOVIE OF ALL TIME ! 😍😊🇺🇸🙏😇

[@davidwilkins5932]

I’m so glad that you’re taking on the all-time classic! This is a feather in your Reactor cap. Or cowboy hat.

[@orangewarm1]

one of the best films ever made. top 20.

[@laurellane1721]

It's my second favorite film of all time.

[@putinscat1208]

Oh wow! Not many people take on this movie. One of the best motion pictures ever made, with possibly the best score.

[@kennethjoseph6362]

congrats on your 25k subs! this is an epic film to celebrate your accomplishment! the sets, the matte paintings, the actors, the costumes, the story! another great reaction! i look forward to part 2! 👍

[@Instantphojo]

The production!!!!!!😱😱😱 The movie was filmed in Italy. After the movie was done filming the sets were all destroyed so no other movie company could use it. (Such a shame) I really enjoyed your reaction. I subscribe!!👍🏼

[@janviljoen7001]

True, but the chariots were taken back to the USA. The two full size galleys were also destroyed.

[@susanfox6666]

Remember, there were only extras and no cgi. This is film at its best. There's a yt video about how this film was made. Very enlightening.

[@garyclarke9685]

Thanks will look it up

[@trekranger]

It used to play every Christmas morning. One of my favorite movies