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Despite a deliberate policy by MGM on the re-make to tone down the Christian emphasis of the 1925 production, which was grounded in Wallace's original narrative, the 1959 film still reinforces the idea that Christ is the main theme of the story, not the fictional Ben-Hur. The main title in 1925 was, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (see previous page). The 1959 re-make was simply called: Ben-Hur.

Pivotal to the story is an unfortunate accident involving Ben-Hur and his family. With typical pomp and ceremony Valeruis Gratus the New Procurator of Judea arrives in Jerusalem. As the procession passes below Ben-Hur’s parapet he accidentally dislodges a tile which strikes the governor. He immediately appeals to Messala, “Remember our childhood,” but Messala throws the family in prison. He cunningly turns the situation to his advantage by making a public example of his former friend Ben-Hur. He believes his ruthlessness will make the Jewish people fearful and obedient.

When Ben-Hur sees how pitiless Messala now is, he becomes filled with hatred: “In the hour of thy vengeance, O Lord,” he prays, “be mine the hand to put it upon him!” Then he is sent from prison to the galleys.

Eventually, seeking vengeance and searching for his mother and sister, he returns to Judea as a wealthy Roman, skilled in the art of racing chariots. The grand chariot race is the central attraction in the film and the ten minutes for which it is best remembered.

Stephen Boyd, one of Northern Ireland’s most famous actors, who played Messala, contributed considerably to the success of the film’s thrilling chariot race, which he found “exhilarating and exciting”. According to relatives he regularly set time aside to practise his role of charioteer, so much so that the dust sparked off a troublesome eye infection which demanded skilled medical attention for months to come.

Sadly, Boyd (real name, William Millar) died aged just 45, in June 1977.



The special effects in Ben-Hur are generally first class with the debtable exception of the galley battle scenes. Although a huge pool and large, detailed model ships were constructed for the sequence, the overall effect isn't as convincing as similar scenes in today's CGI-enhanced movies.

With Boyd’s dedicated contribution*, and the combined skills of MGM’s professional crew, a spectacular event was created that is as exciting as anything you will see made for the big screen.

Although the character Messala is defeated, Ben-Hur’s nightmare search for his mother and sister is heightened when, with his dying breath, Messala tells him they are now lepers. "There is enough of a man still left here for you to hate. They're not dead. Look for them in the Valley of the Lepers, if you can recognise them. It goes on, Judah... the race is not over."

While Ben-Hur’s life seems to fall apart, Christ is still travelling among the people, preaching deliverance, bringing healing to bodies and minds and proclaiming Himself the Son of God, the Saviour of the world. Ben-Hur becomes convinced that the only hope for his mother and sister is Christ Himself, so along with the girl he loves, he takes them into Jerusalem.

But they arrive at the hour Jesus is being led out to be crucified. They are stunned. Why was this Man being punished? He had been so good, so kind. How could they treat Him in this way?

As Jesus hangs on the cross Ben-Hur hears Him say, “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.” Instantly, Ben-Hur’s hatred of everything Roman is taken away. Unknown to him, at almost the same moment, his mother and sister are healed of their terrible disease.

For various reasons, Biblical epics are now a thing of the past. In a way that's probably for the best. We now have many soulless blockbusters that arguably lean too heavily on special effects to make an impression. But MGM's 1959 production of Ben-Hur still ranks as one of the most entertaining and accomplished movies ever made.

 

*Charlton Heston put in many hours practising with a chariot and full team of horses. In his later years he suffered from Alzheimer's Disease and died in April 2008.

 

 

 

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