Quick Movie Reviews
Rating of
3/4
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 05/28/2019
The battle scenes and immortal chariot race are astounding, but the movie grinds to halt as soon as the hammy dramatics take charge.
Rating of
4/4
SteelCity99 - wrote on 04/22/2018
To refer to Ben-Hur as a sample of perfection in filmmaking is an exaggeration, but not so big. Wyler's fantastic vision and scale is certainly not the very first adaptation of the story, yet it holds a seminal place among the greatest Hollywood epics. There is no equivalent picture to this film in the 50s; the influence Ben-Hur planted as a seed in the prolific year of 1959 would grow and flourish during the 60s. Even now, technically, the chariot race is also mind-blowing. 97/100
Rating of
2.5/4
Yojimbo - wrote on 05/21/2012
Charlton Heston stars in this classic historical epic as a jewish prince betrayed and condemned to death by a Roman tribune. It's one of his defining performances and he charismatically heads a great supporting cast in a well written if overlong tale of revenge and redemption. It takes a little too long to get going, and the subplot involving his mother and sister is melodramatic nonsense, but when Chuck is on the warpath it's great, and the chariot race is a scene every movie lover should see. Not as good as Spartacus, but still one of the best examples of the genre.
Rating of
3/4
Unknown - wrote on 12/04/2011
One of the biggest and most classic epics. I liked the second half better, though.
Rating of
2/4
donkeyknight - wrote on 05/03/2011
The chariot race stands the test of time and remains one of the greatest action scenes ever. Wow. It is all real. Yakima Canutt directed that sequence-that guy deserves an Honorary Oscar. The rest of the movie: overlong, overdone and waaaay overacted.
Rating of
3.5/4
mitchellyoung - wrote on 10/07/2010
This epic is sprawling and extensive, but never loses track of its characters, due in part to the commanding performance of Charlton Heston. And, as has been noted many times, the chariot race is amazing.
Rating of
2.5/4
sapien - wrote on 04/03/2010
It has some very good scenes in it. Though, I can't quite remember the entire movie.
Rating of
4/4
kustaa - wrote on 08/16/2007
It will be for sure one of the greatest movies ever made. Maybe it's not the "finest"... nor the most "intellectual"... but it's certainly one of the most spectacular ones. For a lot of years of my favorite of all times, and I still watch it from time to time because it has great acting, amazing music, great cast, perfect direction and it pleases me a lot, because it reminds me the old Holywood gold era... wich is beautiful. You have to see this movie. You'll love it.
Rating of
3.5/4
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/21/2007
The word "epic" isn't thrown around lightly. Ben-Hur personifies the word: huge, sweeping, awesome - it's not one you can sit through often - but this is the film that so many others try, and fail, to emulate.
Rating of
1.5/4
Alex - wrote on 12/31/2006
The chariot race is amazing. I don't know how much I like this movie as it is really long! I think if I saw it on the big screen it might be a different story...that is if I have the patience.
