Ben Hur

[MalcC]

I believe the original was project titled
'Ben Him transgender pre-op'.....
way ahead of his/her time obviously.

P

I believe that's the title for the prequel.
After they've made the remake of Zulu of course.

sorry couldn't resist.

Malc

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

It looks a poor CGI copy with somewhat ham acting added in , and a bit of a shoot em up .
Won't be paying to watch it

 

[smudger1960]

I'm very old fashioned and although I hav'nt seen it,I still prefer the Charlton Heston version,I see they have done the magnificent 7 again,why ? I don't know as the original one was out standing,I'd be surprised if the new Ben hour matches up to the Heston version

 

[peedee]

I believe that's the title for the prequel.
After they've made the remake of Zulu of course. sorry couldn't resist. Malc

That will be after the polar icecap reforms in Hades then ?

P

 

[Ray Stout]

Don't forget, Pearl Harbour was visually exciting, but, as a film, just how much bad acting do you need!!! I noticed Paul on the subject of Remakes, you missed Charge of the Light Brigade, mind you, the 1930s film was Pure Fiction. Just waiting for some idiot to remake Zulu!!! Ray

 

[peedee]

Don't forget, Pearl Harbour was visually exciting, but, as a film, just how much bad acting do you need!!! I noticed Paul on the subject of Remakes, you missed Charge of the Light Brigade, mind you, the 1930s film was Pure Fiction. Just waiting for some idiot to remake Zulu!!! Ray

Actually Ray I didn't miss it....
I just wish I had !

Paul.

 

[Old Pete]

they must have worn out a few slaves to get their galley,s to go that fast,perhaps the commander wanted to water ski

 

[MalcC]

I hear this morning they're doing a remake of Jumanji. WHY. Who can top the late Robin Williams.
I don't think Dwayne Johnson will come close.

Malc

 

[Ray Stout]

Best film about re-makes has to be Hail Ceaser Ray

 

[MalcC]

As Brian stated the next remake is?




Malc

 

[Old Pete]

After watching that I do,nt think I,ll be in a hurry to see this either

 

[garyhiggins]

I hear they're re-making 2001 a space oddyssey as a historical actioner ?

 

[valiant]

I'm a great believer in films being viewed in the context of the time they were made. OK, new technology is far superior to times gone by, but just because the film is visually technically superior, this does not make it better, IMO. The remake of the Four Feathers pales into insignificance compared to Korda's original, the photography of which, to my mind adds to the historical "feel", as it does with other films of the era.

Just my thoughts, for what they're worth!

 

[MalcC]

I've just got back from seeing Ben Hur, as I said I'm my own critic.
It was better than I expected, a little over dramatised at times, but that's Hollywood for you. As I thought visually it would be very good and it was.
I'm not going to compare the two films as they were filmed years apart and acting was very different then to what it is now.
However the chariot race was as every bit as exciting as the original.
At the beginning as they set out the story and I felt it a little slow, not a criticism as such, I think I was just eager to get in to the film, and see some action.
One review I did read, commented that it could have done with some well known actors in the two main rolls to give it a boost, that I tend to agree with.
Can you imagine Gladiator without Russell Crowe. Not to down the two actors portrayal as Ben Hur and Massala they played their rolls well.
The star in my opinion was Morgan Freeman, he is a brilliant actor aand his voice brings a presence to the film.

Will I buy it on DVD when it's released, not sure as yet, but one thing I am sure of, is that I was very pleased I went to see it.

Malc

 

[OldTaff]

Thanks for that honest review, Malc. The author of the original book,Ben Hur;A Story of the Christ, General Lew Wallace, was a bit of an agnostic, but undertook much research for his book, travelling widely in the Middle East. I confess I've not read it, so cannot comment on the film's accuracy, but it doesn't half look exciting!
And they largely get the costumes and uniforms right these days......

Alan

 

[MalcC]

Alan

Thanks for the feedback.
Yesterday afternoon after reflecting on the film, I've decided the I will get in on DVD when its released, I definitely want to see it again.

Malc

 

[rossbach]

Dober vecher!

I saw the new version of Ben Hur in Burgas 2 weeks ago (with BG subtitles/in 3d). I liked it in it's own right.

However the acting in William Wyler's 1959 version by Charlton Heston and Jack Hawkins was stronger. As a matter a fact I really missed Jack Hawkins playing Quintus Arrius. So much so that I really didn't know what Morgan Freeman was doing there on the screen wearing dreadlocks!

Perhaps the new version is in some ways a bit more historically correct. However in the Legions there where no 'captains', and in the battle scenes for some reason everyone seemed to prefer to use their gladius as a hacking tool. We of course know that it was a stabbing weapon.

In the end one of my Bulgarian friends (female) who has never seen the old Ben Hur version summed it all up nicely: "Jaaaa...... it was a nice movie but the actors who played Ben Hur and Massala were pussies".

Dovizhdane

Paul

 

[garyhiggins]

Good acting beats CGI every time... Bring back the good old swashbuckler!!!!!!!!