William Wyler's Ben-Hur is the quintessential Hollywood. There's very little to say about William Wyler's 1959 epic 'Ben-Hur' that hasn't already been said many. Ben-Hur (1959) Posted on August 15. William Wyler’s Ben-Hur is certainly the most acclaimed. But 1959’s Ben-Hur was actually itself a remake of.
Oscar History: Ben- Hur (1. William Wyler’s Majestic Spectacle Starring Charlton Heston. The historical epic “Ben- Hur,” which won the Best Picture Oscar in 1. It was the most expensive film ever made to date, with a budget of $1.
The film was produced in Rome by Sam Zimablist, who reportedly constructed 3,0. The highly anticipated movie world- premiered at the Egyptian, on Hollywood Boulevard, on November 2. Every element is big–no, massive– in this production of “Ben- Hur,” the first remake to ever win the Best Picture Oscar. MGM was nervous and not only due to the huge budget but also due to the fact that viewers recall fondly the 1. Ramon Novarro (at his peak) and Francis X.
Bushman. Back in 1. The only category in which the film lost was screenplay, credited to Karl Tunberg, though at least four distinguished writers contributed to its writing: Maxwell Anderson, S. N. Behrman, Christopher Frye, and Gore Vidal, which might have been the reason for its loss; the well- deserved winner was Neil Paterson for “Room at the Top.”“Ben- Hur” was the only historical spectacle in the Best Picture contest, up against small, intimate movies, such as Otto Preminger’s “Anatomy of a Murder,” George Stevens’ Holocaust drama “The Diary of Anne Frank,” Fred Zinnemann’s morality tale “The Nun’s Story,” and Jack Clayton’s UK realistic drama “Room at the Top.”Based on Lew Wallace’s popular novel about the rise of Christianity, “Ben- Hur” features spectacular visual effects.
The stunning chariot race, choreographed by Hollywood’s top second unit directors, headed by Yakima Canutt. Its acting, by contrast, is not spectacular and Charlton Heston, who was cast after Universal refused to loan out Rock Hudson, is reasonably good in the title role of a converted Christian, in conflict with Massala (Stephen Boyd), the Roman commander and his former childhood friend. But the film’s shortcoming did not matter much, since “Ben- Hur” was marked by a then new visual sweep and enough pageantry to entertain audiences for its epic length, 2.
To commemorate William Wyler`s monumental epic 'BEN-HUR' shot in MGM`s Camera 65. Wikipedia: http:// In this report. William Wyler, Director: Ben-Hur. How much of William Wyler's work have you seen? 1958 The Big Country.
As usual, William Wyler directs the story in a tasteful and understated manner, never succumbing to the temptations of making a trashier historic sand and sandals genre item. Decades later, the chariot race, which occupies about 2. Playing for months, the movie grossed over $8. Detailed Plot. Judah Ben- Hur (Charlton Heston), a wealthy merchant in Jerusalem living with his mother Miriam (Martha Scott), sister Tirzah (Cathy O’Donnell), is devoted to his faith and the freedom of the Jewish people. Ben- Hur’s childhood friend Messala (Stephen Boyd), is now a tribune returning as the new commander. During the parade for the new governor of Judea, Valerius Gratus, some loose tiles fall from the roof of Ben- Hur’s house, and Gratus is thrown from his horse and nearly killed.
Although Messala knows it was an accident, he condemns Ben- Hur to the galleys and imprisons Miriam and Tirzah. He hopes to intimidate the Jewish populace, but Ben- Hur swears to take revenge. After three years as a galley slave, Ben- Hur is assigned to Roman Consul Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins), charged with destroying the Macedonian pirates. Arrius, who admires Ben- Hur’s courage and determination, offers to train him as a gladiator and charioteer. Ben- Hur declines the offer, claiming that God will aid him in his vengeance. When the Roman fleet encounters the Macedonians, Arrius orders all the rowers except Ben- Hur to be chained. Arrius’ galley is rammed and sunk, but Ben- Hur rescues him.
Wrongly assuming defeat, Arrius attempts to atone by “falling on his sword,” but Ben- Hur stops him. After their rescue, Arrius is credited with the Roman fleet’s victory. Arrius petitions Emperor Tiberius (George Relph) to free Ben- Hur, and adopts him as his son. Returning to Judea, he meets Balthasar (Finlay Currie) and the Arab sheik Ilderim (Hugh Griffith). The sheik asks Ben- Hur to drive his quadriga in a spectacular race to be watched by the new Judean governor Pontius Pilate (Frank Thring), but Ben- Hur declines.
In Jerusalem, Ben- Hur learns that Esther’s arranged marriage didn’t occur and that she is still in love with him. He visits Messala and demands his mother and sister’s freedom, but the Romans discover that the women contracted leprosy in prison and expel them. They ask Esther not to tell Ben- Hur, and she obliges, telling him that they had died.
As a result, Ben- Hur decides to seek vengeance on Massala by competing against him in the chariot race. During the chariot race, Messala drives a chariot with blades; he attempts to destroy Ben- Hur’s chariot but destroys his own instead. Messala is fatally injured, while Ben- Hur wins the race. Before dying, Messala tells Ben- Hur that he can find his family “in the Valley of the Lepers.” Ben- Hur visits the leper colony, and observes from a distance his mother and sister.
Blaming the Romans for his family’s fate, Ben- Hur rejects his citizenship. Learning that Tirzah is dying, Ben- Hur and Esther take her and Miriam to see Jesus, but the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate has begun. Ben- Hur witnesses the crucifixion, while Miriam and Tirzah are miraculously healed during the rainstorm. Credits: Budget: $1. Running time: 2. 12 Minutes. Oscar Nominations: 1. Picture, produced by Sam Zimbalist.
Ben-Hur is a 1959 American epic historical drama film, directed by William Wyler. While praising the acting and William Wyler's 'close-to' direction.
Director: William Wyler. Screenplay (Adapted): Karl Tunberg.
Actor: Charlton Heston. Supporting Actor: Hugh Griffith. Cinematography (color): Robert L.
Surtees. Art Direction- Set Decoration (color: William A. Horning and Edward Carfagno; Hugh Hunt. Film Editing: Ralph E. Winters. Costume Design (color): Elizabeth Haffenden. Scoring (Dramatic or Comedy): Miklos Rozsa. Sound: Franklin F.
Milton. Special Effects: A. Arnold Gillespie and Robert Mac. Donald, visual; Milo Lory, audible. Oscar Awards: 1. 1Picture. Director. Actor. Supporting Actor. Cinematography. Art Direction- Set Decoration. Film Editing. Costume Design.
Scoring. Sound. Special Effects. Oscar Context. In 1. Ben- Hur” won over Preminger’s courtroom drama Anatomy of a Murder,” which lost in each of its 7 categories; the Holocaust drama, “The Diary of Anne Frank,” which received 7 nominations and won 3; Fred Zinnemann’s morality tale “The Nun’s Story,” which also lost in each of its 7 nominations, and the superb British drama “Room at the Top,” which won 2 out of its 6 nominations.