Ben-Hur, Charlton Heston, DVD

Features

Closed Caption; Discs 1 and 2: The 1959 Movie; New digital transfer [16x9 2.76:1] from restored 65mm elements; Commentary by film historian T. Gene Hatcher, with Charlton Heston; Music-only track showcasing Miklos Rozsa's score; Languages: English & Fran�ais; Subtitles: English, Fran�ais & Espa�ol (Feature film only); Disc 3: The 1925 Silent Version; The Thames television restoration with a stereophonic orchestral score by Carl Davis; Disc 4: About the Movies; 2005 documentary Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema; 1994 documentary Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic; Bue-Hur: A Journey Through Pictures:; Audiovisual recreation via stills, storyboards, sketches, music and dialogue; Screen tests; Vintage newsreels gallery; Highlights from the 4/4/60 academy awards ceremony; Theatrical trailer gallery

Full Product Details

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Ben-Hur, Pt. 1 (1959)
1. Overture [6:31]
2. Nativity Prologue [5:04]
3. Credits [2:07]
4. March Through Nazareth [2:15]
5. Messala in Command [1:58]
6. Fighting an Idea [3:37]
7. Still Close in Every Way [3:40]
8. A Toast [3:26]
9. Gifts Exchanged [2:36]
10. Judah's Choice [5:14]
11. Esther's Request [4:01]
12. Ring for a Kiss [4:35]
13. March Into Jerusalem [2:49]
14. The Accident [3:41]
15. Jailbreak Attempt [2:45]
16. Making an Example [3:36]
17. Bondage [3:01]
18. Water From a Sranger [4:33]
19. Quintus Arrius [3:34]
20. Ramming Speed [1:00]
21. Strange, Stubborn Faith [3:50]
22. Sea Battle Begins [3:16]
23. Galley Rescues [3:59]
24. Saving Arrius [2:50]
25. Victory [2:04]
26. Divine Emperor [4:24]
27. Son of Arrius [3:41]
28. Thinking of Judea [4:08]
29. Balthazar and Ilderim [2:43]
30. Arabians Night [4:23]
31. Many Paths to God [4:41]
32. Homecoming [3:39]
33. Survivors Reunited [4:06]
34. "We Stood Here Before." [4:21]
35. Confronting Messala [3:23]
36. Finding Miriam and Tirzah [4:09]
37. Vow in the Darkness [2:44]
38. "Forget Messala." [6:03]
39. Intermission [2:26]
Disc #2 -- Ben-Hur, Pt. 2 (1959)
40. Entr'Acte [3:49]
41. A Wager [4:45]
42. Chariot Practice [2:12]
43. "This Is the day." [4:17]
44. Chariot Procession [3:34]
45. Entrants [2:00]
46. Early Eliminations [4:29]
47. Neck and Neck [3:50]
48. Fallen Driver [1:37]
49. Judah Triumphant [2:04]
50. The Race Goes On [5:28]
51. Valley of the Lepers [2:15]
52. "Is Judah Well?" [4:28]
53. Thirsty Still [3:42]
54. "I Am Jubah Ben-Hur." [3:54]
55. Becoming Messala [:50]
56. Recovering Miriam and Tirzah [3:20]
57. Young Rabbi Sentenced [5:26]
58. Offer of Water [3:12]
59. The Crucifixion [4:14]
60. Cleansing Rain [3:04]
61. "Hallelujah." [4:45]
Disc #3 -- Ben-Hur (1925)
1. Credits [2:44]
2. Weary Travelers [5:31]
3. Signs in the Sky [4:32]
4. The Nativity [2:22]
5. Godspeed, Simonides [3:57]
6. Judah and Esther [3:47]
7. Welcoming Messala [3:52]
8. To Be a Few [4:39]
9. The Accident [3:13]
10. Arrested [2:58]
11. Water From the Carpenter [5:08]
12. The Galley [3:44]
13. "I Live for Revenge." [2:05]
14. Battle Stations [2:17]
15. Under Siege [5:26]
16. Rescuing Arrius [2:05]
17. Adopted Son [3:40]
18. Idolized and Forgotten [4:07]
19. Nazorene's Preaching [1:55]
20. A Shiek and a Miser [4:00]
21. Last of the Hurs [3:25]
22. Offered the Reins [4:09]
23. Iras the Egyptian [4:36]
24. Seduction [2:51]
25. True Identity [3:41]
26. Messala's Curse [3:37]
27. Entering the Arena [4:21]
28. The Race Begins [5:05]
29. Victory [4:15]
30. Cause of the King [5:05]
31. Arrival in Jerusalem [2:44]
32. Unclean [1:50]
33. Nearly Reunited [7:44]
34. Vow of Silence [3:28]
35. The Condemned [4:05]
36. Route to Cavalry [3:10]
37. Her Family Miracle [2:31]
38. Morning Joy [2:36]
39. End Credits [1:25]
Disc #4 -- Ben-Hur - Bonus Features
1. Opening [1:30]
2. First Intimate Epic [7:53]
3. Product of the Fifties [6:11]
4. Expanding the Cinematic Experience [7:47]
5. Setting New Standards in Design [10:16]
6. Costume Design: Revealing Character [4:57]
7. Musical Score [8:38]
8. Chariot Race [7:42]
9. One for the Ages [1:42]
10. End Credits [1:00]
1. Introduction [1:38]
2. Publishing Phenomenon [4:00]
3. Major Stage Production [2:49]
4. 1907 Short Film [1:39]
5. 1925 Silent Epic [2:16]
6. Italian Production Woes [5:13]
7. Chariot Race [3:53]
8. 1959: Zimbalist and Wyler [3:04]
9. Italian Locations [3:29]
10. Sea Battle; No Script [3:20]
11. Lovers Quarrel; Rewrites [4:18]
12. Celebrity Visitors [1:09]
13. Casting an Epic [6:04]
14. "Ben-Hur Killed Him." [1:09]
15. Religious Aspects [2:21]
16. The Score; Matte Shots [2:21]
17. Chariot Sequence [6:06]
18. P.R. Campaign; Academy Awards [:59]
19. Crowning Achievement [1:16]
20. End Credits [:59]

Scene Index

Editorial Reviews

After more than 40 years, one of the few biblical epics that doesn�t sacrifice humanity for spectacle, Ben-Hur -- an international box-office smash of legendary proportions and the winner of a then-unprecedented 11 Academy Awards -- still retains its power to enthrall viewers. This third movie adaptation of Lew Wallace�s bestselling novel provided Charlton Heston with perhaps his most memorable role: proud Jewish aristocrat Judah Ben-Hur, falsely accused of a crime and sold into slavery, later to confront his Roman enemies and have his life transformed by contact with Jesus Christ. Director William Wyler (Best Years of Our Lives) ensured success by surrounding himself with some of the industry�s greatest artisans, many of them rewarded with Oscars for their contributions to this flawlessly produced movie. Technical perfection aside, Wyler rated his Best Director Oscar for his superb handling of a fine cast including Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet, and Sam Jaffe. But Ben-Hur�s undisputed highlight remains the climactic, breathtaking chariot race, for which Heston and Boyd did most of their own stunt work. That race, and the film�s other spectacular sequences, can now be fully appreciated by home viewers in the newly mastered, wide-screen DVD edition, which augments the film with an illuminating commentary by Heston. Other extras include a documentary on the production ("The Making of an Epic"), a gallery of stills, a theatrical trailer, and recently discovered screen tests. Ed Hulse, Barnes & Noble

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Customer Reviews

Viewer Rating:
Ratings: 3Reviews: 1

Ben-Hurby Anonymous

Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings

September 01, 2005: Next to his portrayl as Moses, THIS IS CHARLESTON HESTON, AT HIS EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY VERY BEST!!!!! He shows how versitale he is in this role as he goes from being a good decent man, to his extreme bitterness towards his fellow man, particularly his once boyhood friend, Masala,only wanting vengence, to back again to man who seeks love and forgiveness after he encounters God. This also incidental to the spectacular chariot race which took several days to film, is a very worthy addition to any movie buff's collection. DO NOT WALK, BUT RUN to get this DVD!!!

Barnes & Noble

After more than 40 years, one of the few biblical epics that doesn�t sacrifice humanity for spectacle, Ben-Hur -- an international box-office smash of legendary proportions and the winner of a then-unprecedented 11 Academy Awards -- still retains its power to enthrall viewers. This third movie adaptation of Lew Wallace�s bestselling novel provided Charlton Heston with perhaps his most memorable role: proud Jewish aristocrat Judah Ben-Hur, falsely accused of a crime and sold into slavery, later to confront his Roman enemies and have his life transformed by contact with Jesus Christ. Director William Wyler (Best Years of Our Lives) ensured success by surrounding himself with some of the industry�s greatest artisans, many of them rewarded with Oscars for their contributions to this flawlessly produced movie. Technical perfection aside, Wyler rated his Best Director Oscar for his superb handling of a fine cast including Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet, and Sam Jaffe. But Ben-Hur�s undisputed highlight remains the climactic, breathtaking chariot race, for which Heston and Boyd did most of their own stunt work. That race, and the film�s other spectacular sequences, can now be fully appreciated by home viewers in the newly mastered, wide-screen DVD edition, which augments the film with an illuminating commentary by Heston. Other extras include a documentary on the production ("The Making of an Epic"), a gallery of stills, a theatrical trailer, and recently discovered screen tests. Ed Hulse

New York Times

By hiring William Wyler...MGM hoped to restore some dignity to a genre that had known its greatest triumphs thanks to the enthusiastic vulgarity of Alessandro Blasetti and the inimitable Cecil B. DeMille. The magnificently produced four-disc version of "Ben-Hur" ... ably advances that claim to respectability. It's an exhaustive, almost scholarly textural compendium, with a gorgeous, crisply detailed new two-disc transfer of the 1959 film. Dave Kehr

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UPC: 012569676695
Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
Region Code: 1
Presentation: Wide Screen
Language: English
Editions: Remastered, Special Edition, Subtitled, Includes book, Digi-Pak, Restored
Time: 3:42:00
Sales Rank: 3,221

This set contains DVDs which may be available separately:

Ben-Hur
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
Directed by William Wyler
Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic
Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema

Features:

Closed Caption; Discs 1 and 2: The 1959 Movie; New digital transfer [16x9 2.76:1] from restored 65mm elements; Commentary by film historian T. Gene Hatcher, with Charlton Heston; Music-only track showcasing Miklos Rozsa's score; Languages: English & Fran�ais; Subtitles: English, Fran�ais & Espa�ol (Feature film only); Disc 3: The 1925 Silent Version; The Thames television restoration with a stereophonic orchestral score by Carl Davis; Disc 4: About the Movies; 2005 documentary Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema; 1994 documentary Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic; Bue-Hur: A Journey Through Pictures:; Audiovisual recreation via stills, storyboards, sketches, music and dialogue; Screen tests; Vintage newsreels gallery; Highlights from the 4/4/60 academy awards ceremony; Theatrical trailer gallery

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Ben-Hur, Pt. 1 (1959)
1. Overture [6:31]
2. Nativity Prologue [5:04]
3. Credits [2:07]
4. March Through Nazareth [2:15]
5. Messala in Command [1:58]
6. Fighting an Idea [3:37]
7. Still Close in Every Way [3:40]
8. A Toast [3:26]
9. Gifts Exchanged [2:36]
10. Judah's Choice [5:14]
11. Esther's Request [4:01]
12. Ring for a Kiss [4:35]
13. March Into Jerusalem [2:49]
14. The Accident [3:41]
15. Jailbreak Attempt [2:45]
16. Making an Example [3:36]
17. Bondage [3:01]
18. Water From a Sranger [4:33]
19. Quintus Arrius [3:34]
20. Ramming Speed [1:00]
21. Strange, Stubborn Faith [3:50]
22. Sea Battle Begins [3:16]
23. Galley Rescues [3:59]
24. Saving Arrius [2:50]
25. Victory [2:04]
26. Divine Emperor [4:24]
27. Son of Arrius [3:41]
28. Thinking of Judea [4:08]
29. Balthazar and Ilderim [2:43]
30. Arabians Night [4:23]
31. Many Paths to God [4:41]
32. Homecoming [3:39]
33. Survivors Reunited [4:06]
34. "We Stood Here Before." [4:21]
35. Confronting Messala [3:23]
36. Finding Miriam and Tirzah [4:09]
37. Vow in the Darkness [2:44]
38. "Forget Messala." [6:03]
39. Intermission [2:26]
Disc #2 -- Ben-Hur, Pt. 2 (1959)
40. Entr'Acte [3:49]
41. A Wager [4:45]
42. Chariot Practice [2:12]
43. "This Is the day." [4:17]
44. Chariot Procession [3:34]
45. Entrants [2:00]
46. Early Eliminations [4:29]
47. Neck and Neck [3:50]
48. Fallen Driver [1:37]
49. Judah Triumphant [2:04]
50. The Race Goes On [5:28]
51. Valley of the Lepers [2:15]
52. "Is Judah Well?" [4:28]
53. Thirsty Still [3:42]
54. "I Am Jubah Ben-Hur." [3:54]
55. Becoming Messala [:50]
56. Recovering Miriam and Tirzah [3:20]
57. Young Rabbi Sentenced [5:26]
58. Offer of Water [3:12]
59. The Crucifixion [4:14]
60. Cleansing Rain [3:04]
61. "Hallelujah." [4:45]
Disc #3 -- Ben-Hur (1925)
1. Credits [2:44]
2. Weary Travelers [5:31]
3. Signs in the Sky [4:32]
4. The Nativity [2:22]
5. Godspeed, Simonides [3:57]
6. Judah and Esther [3:47]
7. Welcoming Messala [3:52]
8. To Be a Few [4:39]
9. The Accident [3:13]
10. Arrested [2:58]
11. Water From the Carpenter [5:08]
12. The Galley [3:44]
13. "I Live for Revenge." [2:05]
14. Battle Stations [2:17]
15. Under Siege [5:26]
16. Rescuing Arrius [2:05]
17. Adopted Son [3:40]
18. Idolized and Forgotten [4:07]
19. Nazorene's Preaching [1:55]
20. A Shiek and a Miser [4:00]
21. Last of the Hurs [3:25]
22. Offered the Reins [4:09]
23. Iras the Egyptian [4:36]
24. Seduction [2:51]
25. True Identity [3:41]
26. Messala's Curse [3:37]
27. Entering the Arena [4:21]
28. The Race Begins [5:05]
29. Victory [4:15]
30. Cause of the King [5:05]
31. Arrival in Jerusalem [2:44]
32. Unclean [1:50]
33. Nearly Reunited [7:44]
34. Vow of Silence [3:28]
35. The Condemned [4:05]
36. Route to Cavalry [3:10]
37. Her Family Miracle [2:31]
38. Morning Joy [2:36]
39. End Credits [1:25]
Disc #4 -- Ben-Hur - Bonus Features
1. Opening [1:30]
2. First Intimate Epic [7:53]
3. Product of the Fifties [6:11]
4. Expanding the Cinematic Experience [7:47]
5. Setting New Standards in Design [10:16]
6. Costume Design: Revealing Character [4:57]
7. Musical Score [8:38]
8. Chariot Race [7:42]
9. One for the Ages [1:42]
10. End Credits [1:00]
1. Introduction [1:38]
2. Publishing Phenomenon [4:00]
3. Major Stage Production [2:49]
4. 1907 Short Film [1:39]
5. 1925 Silent Epic [2:16]
6. Italian Production Woes [5:13]
7. Chariot Race [3:53]
8. 1959: Zimbalist and Wyler [3:04]
9. Italian Locations [3:29]
10. Sea Battle; No Script [3:20]
11. Lovers Quarrel; Rewrites [4:18]
12. Celebrity Visitors [1:09]
13. Casting an Epic [6:04]
14. "Ben-Hur Killed Him." [1:09]
15. Religious Aspects [2:21]
16. The Score; Matte Shots [2:21]
17. Chariot Sequence [6:06]
18. P.R. Campaign; Academy Awards [:59]
19. Crowning Achievement [1:16]
20. End Credits [:59]

DVD MENU

Disc #1 -- Ben-Hur, Pt. 1 (1959)
Play Movie
Scene Selections
Special Features
   Commentary by T. Gene Hatcher With Charlton Heston
   Music-Only Track
Languages
   Spoken Languages
      English
      Fran�ais
   Subtitles
      English
      Fran�ais
      Espa�ol
      Off
Disc #2 -- Ben-Hur, Pt. 2 (1959)
Play Movie
Scene Selections
Special Features
   Commentary by T. Gene Hatcher With Charlton Heston
   Music-Only Track
Languages
   Spoken Languages
      English
      Fran�ais
   Subtitles
      English
      Fran�ais
      Espa�ol
      Off
Disc #3 -- Ben-Hur (1925)
Play 1925 Version
Scene Selections
   Web Info
Disc #4 -- Ben-Hur - Bonus Features
Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema
   Play
Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic
   Play
Ben-Hur: A Journey Through Pictures
Screen Tests
   Leslie Nielsen and Cesare Danova
   Leslie Nielsen and Yale Wexler (Without Sound)
   George Baker and William Russell
   Haya Harareet Hair and Make-Up Tests (Without Sound)
   Play All
Vintage Newsreels
   Costliest Film Makes Screen History
   The Night Ben-Hur Comes to Broadway
   West Coast Welcomes Ben-Hur
   VIP Opening: Capital Welcome for Ben-Hur
   Japan's Emperor Goes to the Movies
   Oscar Likes Ben-Hur
   Play All
Highlights From 4/4/1960 Academy Awards Ceremony
Theatrical Trailers
   1959 Loew's Theatre Teaser
   1959 Theatrical Trailer
   1961 General Release Trailer #1
   1961 General Release Trailer #2
   1969 70mm Re-Issue Trailer
   Play All
   Web Info

Performance Credits
Charlton Heston (Films)(Biography)(Interview)		Judah Ben Hur
Stephen Boyd (Films)(Biography)		Messala
Jack Hawkins (Films)(Biography)		Quintus Arrius
Haya Harareet (Films)(Biography)		Esther
Hugh Griffith		Sheik Ilderim
Sam Jaffe		Simonides
Martha Scott		Miriam
Cathy O'Donnell		Tirzah
Finlay Currie		Balthasar
Frank Thring		Pontius Pilate
Terence Longdon		Drusus
Andre Morell		Sextus
Marina Berti		Flavia
George Relph		Tiberius
Adi Berber		Malluch
Stella Vitelleschi		Amrah
Jose Greci		Mary
Laurence Payne		Joseph
John Horsley		Spintho
Richard Coleman		Metellus
Duncan Lamont		Marius
Ralph Truman		Aide to Tiberius
Richard Hale		Gaspar
David Davies		Quaestor
Dervis Ward		Jailer
Mino Doro		Gratus
Robert Brown		Chief of Rowers
Maxwell Shaw		Rower No. 43
Emilio Carrer		Rower No. 28
Tutte Lemkow		Leper
Howard Lang		Hortator
John Le Mesurier		Doctor
Stevenson Lang		Blind Man
Hector Ross		Officer
Al Silvani		Man in Nazareth
Enzo Fiermonte		Galley Officer
Tiberio Mitri		Roman at Bath
Pietro Tordi		Pilate's Servant
Jerry Brown		The Corinthian
Cliff Lyons		Lublon
Joe Yrigoyen		Egyptian
Joe Canutt		Sportsman
Michael Dugan		Seaman
John Glen		Rower No. 42
Ferdy [Ferdinand] Mayne		Captain of Rescue Ship
Reginald Lal Singh		Melchior
Karl Tunberg		Actor
Raimondo Van Riel		Old Man
Technical Credits
William Wyler		Director
Edward C. Carfagno		Production Designer
John D. Dunning		Editor
Arnold A. Gillespie		Special Effects
Elizabeth Haffenden		Costumes/Costume Designer
William Horning		Art Director
Robert MacDonald		Special Effects
Andrew Marton		Asst. Director
Mikl�s R�zsa		Score Composer
Robert Surtees		Cinematographer
Karl Tunberg		Screenwriter
Ralph Winters		Editor
Sam Zimbalist		Producer
Gore Vidal		Source Author

Ben-Hur Director: William Wyler Cast: Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet

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Features

Scene Index

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Ben-Hurby Anonymous

Barnes & Noble

New York Times

Product Details

This set contains DVDs which may be available separately:

Features:

Scene Index

DVD MENU

Performance Credits

Technical Credits

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Ben-Hur Director: William Wyler Cast: Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet

BUY THIS ITEM

Features

Scene Index

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Ben-Hurby Anonymous

Barnes & Noble

New York Times

Product Details

This set contains DVDs which may be available separately:

Features:

Scene Index

DVD MENU

Performance Credits

Technical Credits

Related DVD Genres

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