Ben-Hur: A Tale Of The Christ

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925)

Runtime: 143 minutes

Directed by: Fred Niblo... and Charles Brabin, and Christy Cabanne, and J.J. Cohn, and Rex Ingram

Starring: Ramon Novarro, Francis X. Bushman, May McAvoy, Betty Bronson, Claire McDowell

From: MGM

Yes, this is the silent feature length version of the story best known for the classic 1959 film. While not a classic like that flick is, this is still something worth seeing. I say why that's the case below:

It's been around 3 months since I saw my last silent so I figured it was time to do so; plus, even if the new version is more based on the 1880 book by General Lew Wallace-a fascinating character in his own right... he did everything from fight in the Civil War to being a governor of a territory-than the famous movies, the upcoming 2016 remake will be on everyone's mind soon, likely as a costly flop which probably shouldn't have been made in the first place as it was destined for such a fate.

Now, a long time ago I did see the Charlton Heston version, but this is my first time watching this silent classic, and from what I recall, this and the 1959 movie are pretty similar, at least in terms of story. Judah Ben-Hur is an average Jew living in Jerusalem who was friends with a Roman Tribune known as Messala but Messala became corrupted and turned into a real A-hole, so after an accident the entire Hur family was punished, including Ben being put into slavery, where after being a hero out on sea, he races chariots, and has a showdown w/ that heel Messala. Oh, and the birth of Christ happens, & Jesus Christ is occasionally talked about and while his face is never shown, his presence is definitely felt.

While this is not as great as the 1959 film, that is no slight as that Heston movie is an all-time classic. This movie is still worth seeing. Even without audible dialogue it's still so interesting and captivating; the cast does a nice job, especially Ramon Navorro as the titular Ben-Hur; I can understand why he was quite popular around this time. It is a lavish film, with nice sets, a large scope, and scenes which look like they have hundreds of extras. More than one scene has impressive action sequences involving many different people.

There's even a chariot race which is awesome in its own ways. While you can't see these people, the crowd in the race is said to include such famous stars from the era as John Gilbert, Reginald & John & Lionel Barrymore, Marion Davies, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Dorothy & Lillian Gish. Star to be Joan Crawford was also in the crowd, and another future star in Myrna Loy was one of the “slave girls”. Point is, this movie was “a big deal” for MGM at the time and it proved to be a box office hit.

I am glad I finally saw this film, what with its random Technicolor moments, extravagant bits, and moving segments.