"You can never have too many chariot race movies" Topic

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Another unnecessary remake of a classic. When will they ever learn? ( with appropriate music.)

It looks like they're also going to take out the religious context of the story, which was sort of the whole point of the book and original movie.

Then you must have missed the crucifixion scene.

Which one was the "original"?

I stand corrected

There's this:

youtu.be/SmXkN8VNTnc

And this:

youtu.be/B9Aw06f_nNI

I'm all about the galley scenes: in 2016 they are digital; in 1959 they used models; in 1925 they used actual boats!

Ron

I have to admit the trailer looks very good. I will have to see this one.

I like the look of it !

Phil

I left out the animated and miniseries versions!

Coelacanth: Ka-runch!

BTW--didn't Giant of Marathon" use real ships? Hafen't watched it in a while.

Edit: a mix,apparently:

youtu.be/vMvmZ_q0CaQ

Oh goody, a Politically Correct version of the great classic. I just can't wait. Camping out now for tickets.

Hey,Coelacanth,you made me think of a parallel:
King Kong:
2005:digital
1976:guy in rubber suit
1933:model

Where's that silent version?!

From above link:"Such was the expense of the film that nervous MGM executives flew to Rome on a weekly basis to check on the production's progress".

At least that's what they put on their expense accounts.

OTOH--"Yakima Canutt"--one of my all-time favorite names.

Yep,me too. Nice too know they had chariots way back in those days.

Oh goody, a Politically Correct version of the great classic.

Care to unpack that assertion?

The miniseries was fairly faithful to the book, except for one thing. Given that Kristen Kreuk was playing Judah Ben Hur's sister, of course they couldn't give her the full leprosy makeup…

It misses the point. "Ben Hur" wasn't a swashbuckler or a sword and sandals story, the clue is in the title, "Ben Hur, A Tale of the Christ". The story is about redemption.

"Care to unpack that assertion?"
Forgive me I'm from the old world, but what does that mean?

Looks a tad over blown for my tastes but then again I'm an old timer who counts the 1959 version as one of his favorite films. I think Jowady nailed it.

I found it interesting that the galley scenes look like they were lifted out of 300 Rise of Empire. Regardless why the casting of derision before you have even seen the film? Prejudgment much???

So the original film used real ships and the Charlton Heston film used models which of course means the current film using CGI is of course dreck. Am I following the argument correctly? Consider in today's dollars what it would cost to have actual triremes made along with crews to row them to make such a film. And films that used model ships always looked to me like…well model ships. Will this film be over the top? Oh yes because that is what audience seem to want now of days. Remember it is called show BUSINESS. For those (again without seeing the film yet) who want to trash it now because they "think" it will not carry the message of the book (which I never read nor have a desire to) or the former films, prejudge much? Plus as someone who is agnostic that aspect really does not resonate with me nor will it with many who will see the movie. Now a story about redemption can always be uplifting if it is not too heavy handed. But even the film goers who saw the other versions of Ben Hur when it was first released probably did not shell out their money for the message. No they went for the carnage and pageantry and that will be the same with this new version and Hollywood will happily head to the bank.

Instead can we not be happy that we have over the last couple of years seen a resurgence of the genre known as the Sword and Sandal film? And it appears that Romans still speak with British accents.

It seems all perceived baddies in films these days speak with British accents.