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Ben-Hur

2003, Movie, NR, 80 mins

Ben-Hur: Review

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Stamped with the imprimatur of an introduction by Charlton Heston, who played Ben-Hur in the classic 1959 live-action movie, this animated version of Lew Wallace's classic novel packs a lot of plot into its short running time. The scion of a noble Jewish lineage, Judah Ben-Hur (voice of Charlton Heston) enjoys the life of a scholar and a friendship with Roman centurian Messala (Duncan Fraser). In the first century A.D., Rome's political control destabilizes and local authorities, eager to curtail the influence of the King of the Jews, plot to undermine Jesus's (Scott McNeil) influence in their province. The stress of maintaining control over a restless populace and the inevitable harshness of army life hardens the ambitious Messala's heart and when Ben-Hur accidentally dislodges a roof tile during a procession, Messala accuses him of treason. Ben-Hur serves a sentence as a galley slave, while his mother, Miriam (Tabitha St. Germain), and his sister, Tirzah (Willow Johnson), eventually move from prison to a leper colony. Although the life expectancy of a rower is short, Ben-Hur survives due to his tenacity and faith. After saving a Roman general's life during a sea battle, Ben-Hur becomes the influential officer's adopted son. Ben-Hur's athletic prowess later catches the eye of an Arabian Sheik, who longs to beat the cocky Romans in a chariot contest. Although Ben-Hur cripples his old rival, Messala, in the race, his elation evaporates after discovering his family's whereabouts. Meanwhile, Jesus has become do popular that the government decides to silence him. En route to his crucifixion, Jesus accepts a drink from Ben-Hur and, as a reward, cures Miriam and Tirzah. This religious-historical epic's style is unexceptional, but Abi Estrin's script is solidly constructed; the film proselytizes without ever becoming too dull the maintain its hold on young viewers. leave a comment --Robert Pardi
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Ben-Hur (Four-Disc Collector's Edition)
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From Warner Home Video (DVD)
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Playing Out the Empire: Ben-Hur and Other Toga Plays and Films, 1883-1908. A Critical Anthology
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From Oxford University Press, USA (Hardcover)
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