BEN-HUR

4 Stars – INSPIRING

            The release of the 1959 masterpiece “Ben-Hur” on DVD is a gift to all of us. This inspiring tale told in the gentle pace of classic cinema not only shows respect for the religious themes of Judaic and Christian faith, but it also reveals the power of faith in Jesus Christ. The winner of 11 Academy Awards which broke the record in 1959, this four-disc set not only provides the two-disc 1959 epic, but also provides two additional discs presenting the 1925 version and a documentary on the making of the film.
Though the film has the subtitle of “Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ” and begins with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem as a prelude, the film’s primary character is Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston). Ben-Hur is a prince of Israel whose wealth and social position remains even though his country lives under the domination of Rome.
Born at approximately the same time as Jesus, Ben-Hur becomes a childhood friend of Messala (Stephen Boyd), the son of a Roman officer stationed in Jerusalem. Returning now to Judea as the commanding officer of the occupational army of Rome, Messala, Ben-Hur and Jesus are all approaching their thirtieth birthdays. It is the time of the public ministry of Jesus as He leaves Nazareth and begins to do “His Father’s business.”
Assuming a biblically literate audience who knows well the story of Jesus, director William Wyler complements the gospel by focusing on the life of one man and how God protected him through injustice and vengeance until he is able to be touched by the presence and power of Jesus Christ. This focal point enriches the biblical accounts as it reveals a possible, though fictional, testimony of God’s power.
The lengthy story moves at a pace that causes even the more sophisticated viewer time to think about the messages and values being presented. The themes of friendship, betrayal, loyalty and allegiance are played out in actual events as the interior character of each of the characters reveals them. The themes of injustice, forgiveness, providence and healing are also explained not in theoretical form but in the consequences of the lives presented.
The power of “Ben-Hur” rests in its authenticity and its respectfulness. Rather than choosing a realism that requires disrespect and over-simplification of its topic and characters, the film reveals a dignity that is refreshing. This film should be on every person’s list of what should be seen if not owned.

Discussion:
1. When Messala asks his childhood friend Judah Ben-Hur to betray his fellow countrymen, Messala turns on him. Do you believe Messala truly loved his friend and struggled with this situation or was he only using their childhood friendship for his own political gain?

2. The providence of God to protect the life of Ben-Hur even when he was unjustly sentenced to the galleys was a prominent theme in the film. Do you experience God’s providence in your own life? In what ways?

3. The love that Esther (Haya Harareet) has for Ben-Hur is clearly received by him, yet they struggle with expressing it and acting on it. Why do you believe this is so – is it just a story-telling technique or are there real-life aspects to it? Have you ever experienced love and not expressed it or acted on it? Why or why not?

4. The presence of Jesus within the film is shown at a distance or from the back. Do you believe this is a more appropriate way for films to portray the Son of God, or do you prefer the more recent films which do not follow this approach?

5. The power of Jesus to heal is one of the most obvious lessons presented in this film. Have you ever experienced the healing power of Jesus in your own life? How and when did it happen?
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Cinema In Focus is a social and spiritual movie commentary. Hal Conklin is former mayor of Santa Barbara and Denny Wayman is pastor of the Free Methodist Church. For more reviews: http://www.cinemainfocus.com.