A Tale of the Christ?

Ben Hur was the most expensive film of its day and still remains the film with the most Oscars to its name, 11 (an honor it now shares along with Titanic), out of 12 nominations (losing only in Screenplay).

Certainly, Ben-Hur has its flaws, such as its somewhat wooden dialogue, a stiff performance from Charlton Heston, and an overly sentimental feel during some scenes (namely the Nativity scene). Perhaps this is due to an extreme reverence to the subject matter, especially given that the sub-title of the film is "A Tale of the Christ." So then what makes the life of Judah Ben-Hur "a tale of the Christ" and how does that make this film one of the greats?

The film begins with an overture playing while showing a cropped image of Michaelangelo's "Creation of Adam" painting on the Sistene Chapel ceiling, which shows the finger of God touching the finger of Man. The following scenes show Joseph, father of Jesus, being questioned and counted for the Roman census and then they show the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the Three Kings or Magi.

After the main credits, the film flash-forwards to Anno Domini XXVI (or 26 C.E.) where we meet newly appointed Roman Tribune Massala (Stephen Boyd). Massala has been away in Rome, and upon his return to Jerusalem, he meets his childhood friend Judah Ben-Hur, who is a Jewish prince. Massala wishes to restore Roman rule over recent Jewish rebellion and asks Judah's help, asking him to be an informant to his own people. After Judah refuses, charges are trumped up against Judah and him family by Massala and they are arrested.

Judah is forced to become a galley slave and forced to march in the desert to Tyrus. In one scene, all of the slaves are given water but Judah. Judah collapses from dehyrations, saying "God, help me" when an man helps him. We see this man only from the back, but a Roman guard who tries to stop the man looks at him and backs down.

When Judah has been on the ship as a slave for three years, he gains the respect of admiral Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins). To the admiral, Judah has "the spirit to fight back but the good sense to control it." After a Macedonian ship attacks, Judah saves the live of Quintus. Quintus is allowed to take Judah as his own slave. Judah becomes a great charioteer and Quintus ultimately gives him his freedom.

Judah meets an Arab, Sheik Ilderim (Hugh Griffith), who needs a charioteer for his horses. He learns that Massala is in the race and believes that his mother and sister are dead, so he enters to seek his revenge.

The famous chariot race scene is a very action-packed scene. Highlighted by Miklos Rosza's brilliant score, it shows a great level of co-ordination done with sets, the stunt team, and the camera workers. It is a highly dramatic and suspenseful scene, especially with Massala's attempts at sabotage of Judah's chariot. Ultimately, Massala pays for his attempts at foul play with his live, but not before revealing to Judah that his family are lepers and live outside the city.

Judah goes to find his family in the Valley of the Lepers, and finds his former slave Esther leaving food for them. Esther is becoming intrigued by the words and miracles of a preacher who calls himself "The Son of God" and wants Judah's family to visit the preacher. However, one of them is dying, yet Judah is moved my Esther's insistance that "death is nothing to fear" and helps her take his family to the preacher.

They learn that the preacher has been sentenced to death. Judah recognized him as the man who gave him water, and helps him carry his cross. Judah's family and Esther walk back to the Valley of Lepers and hide in a cave during a thunderstorm. After a bright flash of light happens, and upon seeing the blood of the crucified man mixed in the water, they are healed. The film ends showing three empty crosses.

For Christians, the film is a powerful image of how Jesus is a dynamic, healing force, in his life and death. For all, the power of giving and the effect that it has on a bitter heart consumed with hated is reflected in the life of Judah Ben-Hur. Ben-Hur is freed from his past by remembering that one kind act and by giving back. In many ways, he can be likened to Christ, as he is a also a person who had to suffer before gaining true freedom.

One interesting interpretation that Gore Vidal, who contributed to Ben-Hur, gives is that Judah Ben-Her and Massala were lovers. This was a thought on my mind when I saw the first scene in which they met each other in Jerusalem and puts an interesting spin on the conflict between Judah and Massala (Incidentally, Heston has vehemently denied this conclusion).

The music of Miklos Rosza is among my favorite movie scores ever. He makes use of Greek and Hebrew musical motifs to get an ancient Rome sound (since Rome was said to have imported the musics of surrounding people as opposed to having their own). While there is one flaw, the somewhat sappy sounding accompaniment to the Nativity scene, Rosza has created classics with the the Overture, the Theme, and the March of the Charioteers, to name some pieces.

While the cinematography was generally average (with the exception of the chariot race), one sees epic filmmaking at its best. With large sets, impressive use of extras (50,000 at times), dramatic scenes like the battle scenes and the chariot race, and the impressive score of Miklos Rosza, Ben-Hur is still a larger-than-life story worthy of viewing. It is a story of goodness or God reaching out to conquer hatred, and how the power of giving can change a hardened heart.