UNCUT - Ben-Hur (1959)
Added 2024-11-23 19:30:22 +0000 UTCIf you don't want to spend 4 hours with us and our lame jokes, the EDITED version will be posted in early December (available to $10 Patrons & up)
Congratulations to Duane Chancey for winning this month’s Movie Reaction Lottery
First reaction in the new set! Apologies for the lack of production value here. It is not even close to set-up, so don't anticipate reactions looking like this in the future. There will be a slow process of it looking better bit by bit as we get comfortable with what works best.
We take two breaks, each roughly a little over an hour apart. There is no visual sync, but there is a timecode and we didn't wear headphones so you can hear the movie in the background.
Comments
That would be cool!
Duane Chancey
2024-12-08 22:23:33 +0000 UTC[I'm writing this just after the movie ended, before your 15 minutes discussion after]. I had always meant to see this movie some day, so when I saw you were reacting to it, I finally picked it up when it was on sale and just these past few days had the time to start watching it. I basically watched it in three parts, finishing tonight. I think I liked it more than you did, but I didn't love it. It was too bad to see you guys basically quit on it and start riffing the last 30 minutes or so because I was still invested and I felt like with a different attitude you might have gotten more out of the last stretch. Even if you don't believe in any of the mythology or whatever surrounding Jesus, it's still a powerful scene for him even just as a man and for the people around him who did believe he was more than just a man, and I felt for Judah and his family when it seemed they took this gamble (leaving the valley, exposing themselves to possibly getting sick like the mother and the sister) only to seemingly be too late and have to tragically watch a great man (if nothing else), and theoretically their last hope, be murdered slowly and brutally by the Romans, people Judah already had reason to hate. I thought it was probably too convenient or 'Hollywood ending' to have them be cured post-crucifixion though. Overall, I agree it should have been shorter, but to me that would probably be through cutting many scenes shorter as opposed to chopping off entire scenes or the ending with Jesus.
Forbidden Donut
2024-12-06 02:53:52 +0000 UTCOh man,🤦♂️🤣. You guys were truly rough on this film lol woof. I guess it is a generational thing lol. Im not far off your ages, but damn lol. I suppose cuz some were brought up younger watching and understanding older films and how they were made and brought out, intended. We didn't have phones to look at lol. Plus brought up with a teacher sharing older films and poetry, Shakespeare etc. Appreciating it more as I got older. But I can truly understand you guys being annoyed, your side of it, it is a very long drawn out film, but it was intended of that in the day and spectacle lol. I guess it takes patience and some understanding of older generational art. God do I love you guys so much btw! Rock on! Love being a Patron of your channel, you're my only reason for joining!💪🖖 Love the Trek, and all your reactions!!!I Always look forward to you Two, entertaining as heck! Love you guys!😁🤓🫶
Phluke Skywalker
2024-12-01 10:39:42 +0000 UTCSo one of these days I will sit down and watch this reaction with you guys. I've already listened to your review of it afterwards and I think it's fair... notwithstanding the time it was made, the whole movie can be a slog to get through in one sitting. This was considered an *EVENT* movie, made to be seen on the biggest of screens ever. I think people were willing to sit through a longer film with flawed structure because of the environment of the theater around them and the excitement of the audience. Sitting at home watching it on a TV really doesn't do it justice, no matter how good your home theater system is. I grew up with this movie and I've seen it a number of times, but during my most recent viewing of this film I remember watching the first dialogue scene between Judah and Esther and thinking my Lord, you could shit, shower and shave in between each line... I still love the movie and will doubtless purchase the 4K disc when it is inevitably released. Still, I appreciate your thoughts on it and don't totally disagree.
David Wayne Fox
2024-11-30 18:27:24 +0000 UTCGood one there Michael! 😄
Duane Chancey
2024-11-26 23:22:24 +0000 UTCThe Scouring of the Shire would have added nothing to the film. Nor Tom Bombadil. Peter Jackson made some very wise decisions.
Michael Metrick
2024-11-26 17:44:34 +0000 UTCMaybe they have a deleted scenes reel, or perhaps an extended edition... 😁
Michael Metrick
2024-11-26 17:41:47 +0000 UTCI’m this film years old. I saw it for the first time in the early 70’s on tv. I think it may have been a shorter version.
Michel Provost
2024-11-26 13:15:50 +0000 UTCIn other words, you enjoyed the first 3 hours, and not the final 40 minutes.
andrew mccormick
2024-11-26 10:03:41 +0000 UTCAlso my first time watching with you guys and Damn you, Chancey. I was really loving this film until Masala’s death scene. But the rest of the movie was just terrible. Much more fun with y’all tho
Mosquito_Wenzi
2024-11-26 08:58:28 +0000 UTCHe would...
Michael Metrick
2024-11-25 14:49:15 +0000 UTCI changed my mind. You DEF need to watch Gettysburg. If only for Jeff Daniel's performance.
Michael Metrick
2024-11-25 14:41:19 +0000 UTCBack in the day, with prestige films like this, their initial release is usually at select venues and referred to as a roadshow release. Where the movie would be at its original length and have the highest quality prints and sound. It would later get reissued in a general release to smaller parts of the country. By that time, there would be edits made on these longer films. For a long time the version on Ben Hur in circulation ran 2:45. Modern video releases have restored the movie to its original length. But I bet that 2:45 version would have better hit the spot for you guys.
Mike Rogers
2024-11-25 08:38:51 +0000 UTCOK, after reading the comments, I’m glad I didn’t watch it with you guys.🙂
Steve777
2024-11-25 02:20:54 +0000 UTCTalk about missing the crosses for T's on the runtime! jk, I went to bed at intermission and finished it today. "Imagine living down there, hearing this music all the time" would have earned my subscription if I wasn't already. Congratz on the new setup! Can't wait to see how it develops.
LoTeq
2024-11-25 01:56:21 +0000 UTCYou should watch Gettysburg. 4 hours and 21 minutes. Worth every second.
Michael Metrick
2024-11-25 01:51:05 +0000 UTCThis one comes under the category of "You had to be there". In other words, you needed to be either a "greatest generation" or a boomer as a child to get what the impact was with this movie. I saw it when it came out in 1959 when I was 9 years old - and practically everyone in the theatre was blown away. Now - there are a few reasons for this. First of all, it was a much more religious time. Second, it WAS a spectacle, and people loved spectacles at that time. Third - Charlton Heston was at the peak of his popularity. I watched it again when it was shown at a theatre a few years later, and was impresssed again. However, I bought the DVD about 10 years ago, and it was then that I noticed the flaws- at least for a modern audience. It is so difficult for a 65 year old movie NOT to be dated for various reasons - and this is an example of that. Great chariot race, though !
John5193
2024-11-24 23:49:33 +0000 UTCI also want to mention that you guys should watch the Ray Harryhausen films that are based on mythology. Far, far better than this.
Michael Figueroa
2024-11-24 22:37:34 +0000 UTCI only think they might like TTC because it has a more engaging story and awesome set pieces. Note: I'm not religious at all but I appreciate the spectacle of biblical films.
Michael Figueroa
2024-11-24 22:35:32 +0000 UTCI’ve never watched this one, but might do so now that you’ve done it. I did watch the 1925 version, and I’m sure some moments in the chariot race from that one were copied by George Lucas in the Phantom Menace podrace.
James H
2024-11-24 21:43:27 +0000 UTCImagine what attention span Gen Z has. We are all doomed.
Sam Langanke
2024-11-24 21:22:46 +0000 UTCBased daughter
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 21:15:29 +0000 UTCThey WILL NOT appreciate "The Ten Commandments".
startrekiborg
2024-11-24 19:17:56 +0000 UTCI'm tempted to get you guys to watch "Gone With The Wind", just to make you suffer. Haha, I wrote this before you mentioned it.
startrekiborg
2024-11-24 19:08:55 +0000 UTCI still love you guys, but watching this with you was like watching it with my 10 year old grandson. You guys are millennial to the core. In retrospect, my 30 year old son-in-law would probably have the same reaction, except he would've fallen asleep (my daughter wouldn't have watched it).
startrekiborg
2024-11-24 19:04:50 +0000 UTCWe talk about that quite a bit in our discussion at the end
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 18:05:17 +0000 UTCAlex loves all of the LOTR extended editions
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 17:33:36 +0000 UTCGreat post! I grew up on 7 miniute cartoons and 30 minute sitcoms in the 50s and 60s but we never worried about length of movies so much. The longer the better! Also, the spectacle of a huge screen theater made it a special event. And remember, we didn't have pause and rewind buttons. Lol.
Michael Metrick
2024-11-24 17:30:01 +0000 UTCYou should NEVER watch Gettysburg! Or Return Of The King Extended Edition!
Michael Metrick
2024-11-24 17:23:18 +0000 UTCTA, which parts would you have cut out?
Michael Metrick
2024-11-24 17:19:22 +0000 UTC"Most"? Where do you get your information from? Geez...
Michael Metrick
2024-11-24 17:17:55 +0000 UTCAlan Thompson, you're an example of why there is a need for separation of Church and State. Hubris and arrogance...
Michael Metrick
2024-11-24 17:14:52 +0000 UTCOh Lord, save us from those with limited attention spans...
Michael Metrick
2024-11-24 17:11:44 +0000 UTCMort Sahl famously critiqued the film with the line "Loved him, hated Hur."
Outis
2024-11-24 16:37:12 +0000 UTC^^Yes. When this came on TV in 1971 it was still "an event." I remember we pulled the chairs around the TV to watch it, made popcorn and only got up for the intermission. It was also in the context of a period of Biblical epics like The Robe (1953) and The Ten Commandments (1956).
Outis
2024-11-24 16:18:45 +0000 UTCIt did indeed go on sale, so i got it at iTunes already.
Connor Fallon
2024-11-24 15:54:17 +0000 UTCI do apologize for my constant comments. I do like the film (& the silent version) so I have a great knowledge about the story, it’s history, etc.
andrew mccormick
2024-11-24 13:03:40 +0000 UTCIf it makes u feel better, this is the first adaptation with Judah’s leper angst. The novel, play, and 1925 version has Judah discover his mother & sister after Jesus heals them. The novel has the family stay lepers for three years until a loyal servant/caregiver gets them to Jesus on Palm Sunday. The 1925 version has Esther be the one, but has her discover it after Jesus gets arrested. She then gets them to Jesus at Via Dolorosa (way of the cross). Both have Judah discover & reunite with them. The 2016 version has Judah learn about them before the Race.
andrew mccormick
2024-11-24 12:57:29 +0000 UTCSomething the novel takes. Strange enough, the opening narration mentions it is the seventh year of Caesar Augustus. Of course that could be sometime in the BC 20s, or it could be referring to 7 BC which scholars point to one of the Census Augustus put out, and 6 BC being a possible birth date (6 did have a conjunction between Jupiter & Saturn which would have interested the Wise Men). According to Matthew Herod (who died in 4 BC) extended his baby killing decree to below 2 years.
andrew mccormick
2024-11-24 11:56:39 +0000 UTCI have to say that I largely agree with you guys on this one. I’m almost twice your age but damn this movie is a slog. Other than the production values I find this movie really boring and Charlton Heston seems way too old to play this part. In my view, Judah is written like he should be in his 20s. Heston is in his mid-30s and he looks like he is in his 50s. From any story analysis perspective the story arc falls apart after the chariot race. And every scene is too long and drawn out so that whatever dramatic impact it has peters out by the time it ends. And yes the whole “don’t tell him we are lepers” is a dumb, unnecessary subplot that ultimately has zero dramatic relevance.
Aramis Calcutt
2024-11-24 11:18:33 +0000 UTCThe calendar was created with the notion that Jesus was born in the year A.D. 1. There is no Year Zero. The year before A.D. 1 is 1 B.C. Scholars have estimated that if Jesus was real, that he was probably born several years before that, perhaps in 4 B.C.
Aramis Calcutt
2024-11-24 11:11:45 +0000 UTCIt’s available for free on Tubi.
Aramis Calcutt
2024-11-24 11:03:34 +0000 UTCLooking forward to watching it today or tomorrow. One of my favourite movies since I first saw it as a child in the 90s. Saw it also a couple years ago in a local cinema where they played it again. And man - some scenes, like the chariots race, will forever be the best cinema experience I ever had.
Markus Ruoff
2024-11-24 10:25:28 +0000 UTCI'm glad you guys found elements you could enjoy. The scope & scale, the interpersonal drama, some of the sharper moments of dialog, and of course the race. Why didn't it end with the race or in the medical station? If that was where Ben-Hur had been able to put down his quest for vengeance then it could have. But he didn't. Every interaction he had after that, with one exception, was with people trying to turn him from his hate and anger. "I cross this floor and speak to you as a friend." "You insist upon death." "It is as if you had become Messala." He doesn't let go until he witnesses the moment of Jesus's death. In his first scene he tells Messala that the only path to peace is the removal of Rome from Judea, his personal vengeance against Messala twists against Rome itself over the course of the movie, and he puts it down when he finally stops and listens to Jesus's final words -- and is rewarded with the restoration of his family. Does it drag on a bit with the leprosy scenes? Yeah, sure, but they're the prime motivation for the last bit of Ben-Hur's arc, so we get through them.
Avaria
2024-11-24 09:46:46 +0000 UTCThere was an earlier silent film with an equally awesome chariot race where a lot of horses were killed. But animal protection suits had developed in the three decades, so by the time of 59 there were precautions against harming the animals.
andrew mccormick
2024-11-24 07:29:35 +0000 UTCIf I had known you were going to watch Ben-Hur, I likely would have advised you to probably skip this one. First, it was made in a different era for a different culture; the US is now largely a secular postmodern culture and even a cursory reading of the comments here show the contemporary attitude towards the subject matter. It was made in a time when most Americans attended church and, even if they weren't devout, showed reverence for the Bible and the faith of Christianity; that clearly is not true today. Therefore a film designed to appeal to what was in 1959 considered foundational beliefs of American culture are going to seem tedious or pandering to many Americans in 2024. Second, this was made during a time when very long films were considered an 'event', they were crafted by the studio to be seen as a milestone or work of art, an achievement for the studio to hang their hat on, for them to say they forged a new benchmark of cinema. MGM, who released this movie, had previously released 'Gone With The Wind', also a 4 hour movie, for many of the same reasons. To show they were THE studio that could do it. MGM also did "The Wizard of Oz" (half the run time admittedly) but they made a film that literally changed from black and white to eye-popping three-strip Technicolor right before the audience's eyes in 1939, when that was considered impossible. As a result they had made something that Warner Bros, RKO, Paramount or Universal could only dream of trying to do. MGM was also famous for making some of the most spectacular musicals ever, including"Singin' in the Rain", "An American in Paris", "Brigadoon", "West Side Story", "Guys and Dolls" and "Fiddler on the Roof". There is a reason MGM was called the 'Tiffany Studio', they were the most prestigious film studio in the Golden Age of Hollywood and film goers knew what they were getting when they went to see an MGM epic; movie goers knew it would be four hours, but they considered it to be an event to behold, not to endure. Third, people were not stupid in the late 1950's, they knew that was not intended to be an factual, accurate representation of history, they didn't care if the swords, shields, costumes or speech were truly historically accurate. The film was made at a time when such a work was designed to evoke a sense of thought and emotion about the subject matter. For some to compare it to modern works and criticize it for not being 'gritty' or 'real' enough is absurd; whether cynically cashing in on a public who, at that time, had largely read the Bible in school or church and knew the details of the story of Christ, or whether they were trying to honor the novel and Christian historicity as best as they could, is immaterial. The studio knew the audience would reject hypocrisy or thinly veiled platitudes regarding this story. It was authentic to the spirit of what the story was. Also, remember this film was based on an 1880 novel that many Americans had already read, and was a remake of a 1925 silent film that many Americans had already seen; it was a known property. There was no doubt an element of "Oh, they remade Ben-Hur again! In color! With Charlton Heston! We can't miss that!" It would have been seen as a sweeping, modern epic take on a well-known story. Because of the subject matter and because of it was a known property, MGM wasn't going to do a half-baked job, it was always going to be EPIC. And these days, knowing this film is four hours ahead of time, it really isn't reasonable to expect a nails-accurate historical piece, an action packed thrill ride or fast-paced gritty drama. It is exactly as it was supposed to be in 1959; a long, heavy epic connecting to a widely recognized belief system that would leave a lasting emotional and thought provoking impression. The reasons behind why Ben-Hur was made, why it was such a massive hit and why it was so lauded then simply do not translate into a modern world that has largely never been taught, has mostly forgotten or has willingly abandoned the foundations that unpin this movie. For some of the same reasons, I might advise you to skip 'The Passion of the Christ'. Yes, it is newer and yes, it only runs about 2 hours, but it also covers a subject you already know very well and without having some investment in the story that personalizes it for you, it will mean you are simply looking 'at' the film, simply making your way through it while you assess how well it was assembled, judging the quality of the the acting, the script, the cinematography, the pacing, etc. Without a personal connection to what is saying and or why small key elements are huge (Jesus crushing the snake's head for example), then one is left to only walk around it and look again at what is a very, very well known story. It would be like walking around a sculpture comprising story or topic you've already seen 10,000 before, has been remade 10,000 times before and by 10,000 other sculptors before. As it is one of (if not the most) well-known stories in human history and no doubt known well to you; without some deeper reason to watch other "Was it made well?", I think it will fail to offer you anything new enough or dynamic enough to justify the time it requires. To some degree, I think that happened to you with Ben-Hur, particularly towards the end. Some films are like that, they're made on a certain frequency for those looking for that frequency. Not being disrespectful, just noting the truth. And please, please understand I am absolutely NOT judging or dissing anyone who doesn't care for this film or who doesn't share a Biblical faith. I'm simply saying that it was probably always going to be 'Too Far Away' from now, for what it was built to be in 1959, at least for most modern, younger folks. Heck despite my love of Humphrey Bogart movies, I'd say the very same thing about 'Casablanca', 'To Have of Have Not', or 'The Big Sleep'; if the modern viewer doesn't really click on to all of the cultural and historical elements in the context of the time the film was made, then much of the punch in many scenes will simply be lost. Some films are so broad and universal in scope, I think you'd really appreciate them no matter how old they are, such as the aforementioned 'Wizard of Oz', plus 'Metropolis', 'It's a Wonderful Life', 'M' or 'The Bridge on the River Kwai', but big epics weighted heavily by their place in time, like 'The Ten Commandments', 'Doctor Zhivago', 'Patton' or 'Citizen Kane', might be more of a challenge to endure. Not saying you guys can't handle it, won't 'get it' or aren't sharp enough to appreciate them, not at all, not remotely saying that. It's just sometimes there's a really, really big gulf between 'Then' and 'Now'. Frankly, I'm that way with almost all silent films, there's only a few I can get through for that very reason. Cheers.
Shane Davis
2024-11-24 06:36:00 +0000 UTCAlmost 4 hours. What a slog. The only two parts I remember are the battle at sea and the chariot race. If you guys ever watch a movie like this again, please let it be either "Samson and Delilah" RT 2:14 or "The Ten Commandments". RT 3:40. They're far better.
Michael Figueroa
2024-11-24 06:02:19 +0000 UTCLooking forward to watching it, with you guys.
Mike Rogers
2024-11-24 05:56:57 +0000 UTCNo, we didn’t miss it
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 05:50:44 +0000 UTCI think when people see the guys watching a lot of classic content they assume they'll like something just because it's a classic
Doug
2024-11-24 05:13:16 +0000 UTCIt ended where it was supposed to end. And apparently you completely missed that Judah's mother and sister didn't want Esther to tell him the truth. I once saw another reactor on YT complain about the length of a movie and how stretched out it was and how to improve it by cutting out a lot of it. I don't remember the movie or the reactor but I do remember that it was an older movie and only about an hour and a half long. I was so disgusted I blocked that reactor, and it wasn't even a movie I particularly liked. No, that is not a threat. I'm just feeling a little let down. I'll get over it. 😘😘😘
KatWithAttitude
2024-11-24 05:12:18 +0000 UTCI mostly enjoy this movie because I love historical settings like this but I definitely think that a lot of the movie feels drawn out or disconnected. I'm a lot younger than many of the other patrons so I have much different ideas of what I like in movies.
Doug
2024-11-24 05:12:07 +0000 UTCI remember when smoking was allowed in theatres, hospitals & everywhere else. lol
Duane Chancey
2024-11-24 03:12:02 +0000 UTCI’m genuinely looking forward to making the edited version. Movie aside, there are so many fun memorable moments in this reaction for me. Truly a vintage “TA” style reaction.
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 03:08:52 +0000 UTCYes, I agree in general about your point
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 03:06:55 +0000 UTCNo problem guys, I was not trying to be Snarky at you. But you gotta admit that most people your age and under can't stand movies this long. Also, a lot of the under 20 or 25s Won't even watch a B/W T.V. Show or Movie. I'm glad I didn't pick The Ten Commandments...LOL 😁
Duane Chancey
2024-11-24 02:54:01 +0000 UTCWhat, Alan are you saying you don't believe Jesus was a real person? Whether he was part deity or not there is plenty of evidence he indeed existed. I'm not a religious person...I guess I'm an Agnostic as in I just don't know if he was god in human form, but I'm not saying flat out that's not the case. I'm sure most people would like to have been there then to see one of the Miracles like walking on water. We'll never know until we die if god is real & if he isn't we still won't know when we die. That is the age-old Catch 22, Really sucks though doesn't it? 😉🖖
Duane Chancey
2024-11-24 02:49:24 +0000 UTCAs near as I can figure, 4000 talents of gold at today's value would equal about $11,883,000,000.
thebeefmaster
2024-11-24 02:28:05 +0000 UTCI can't recall the film, but I let the reaction run in the background. Watching TA POP at 2:45:00 made me reconcile my budget and dip into Ben Hur digital edition.
Patrick Smith
2024-11-24 02:27:07 +0000 UTCAs we said in the beginning we love plenty of long movies if they deserve the length, so our age isn’t the reason. This one felt like a great 2h30m movie with an extra hour tacked on. Regardless of it not meeting our specific preferences, it’s obviously a classic and an accomplishment of filmmaking, so I’m glad I’ve now seen it. I probably never would have if you didn’t pick it. That’s what the wheel is all about. Thanks for taking part Duane 🖖
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 02:22:00 +0000 UTCIf you read the DSM 5 sections covering "schizoid/shizoidal" personality disorders you will find many links between what you see at Trek conventions and in churches. A belief in Captain Kirk and Jesus as real things is an understood mental condition rather than a religious belief today.
Alan Thompson
2024-11-24 02:20:18 +0000 UTCThe function of the middle film Intermission is to allow for a pee break but remember most adults in this era smoked cigarettes every 2 hours without fail and even a long film needed to allow for that. Gene Roddenberry refusing to allow Kirk to smoke Marlboro on the bridge along with the commercial endorsement was a big deal in the 60s for example.
Alan Thompson
2024-11-24 02:12:22 +0000 UTCWell guys, I'm not surprised you did not like the length of this movie. Most people under 30 or 40 have no patience for anything over 2 hours. They are too used to getting a resolution to a movie or wanting all the answers or being able to figure out what is going to happen in an hour or so. One thing you have to consider is the times this movie was made regarding the Jesus subplot. In 1959 kids in most of the schools said the Pledge of Allegiance and or would have a moment of prayer if they wanted to. Also at this time going to a movie was a huge deal and nights out at the theatre when most people did not have a T.V. and only had a radio or board Games to entertain them was Big, so a 4 hour movie was a real treat and bargain for the ticket price. Plus, in my Opinion movies at this time and at least until the late 80s maybe early 90s did not cost an arm and a leg. I myself have not been in a movie theatre since the remake of Dawn of the Dead in 2004 or 2005! The reason for this in part is I cannot stand CGI...never have. I've probably only seen maybe 3 movies at the theatre in the last 35 or so years. Longer than either of you have been alive. LOL I can say that I'm glad I never picked acting as a career. Because there are no sets anymore...poor unemployed set builders. All you have now to act with are maybe a few props and Costumes, a real shame. Sorry this was a long post but I'm the one who picked this one for the Wheel Lottery and thought I had to say a little regarding this movie and reaction. Take Care guys and keep Reacting to shows and movies...more Kolchak! 😉🖖
Duane Chancey
2024-11-24 02:11:38 +0000 UTCThanks!
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 02:09:26 +0000 UTCDo you mean the actors? I would hope not lmao
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 02:08:54 +0000 UTCThe painting is a detail of a fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, painted by Michelangelo, who was also played by Charlton Heston in another over two hours long movie about the creation of the fresco called "The Agony and the Ecstasy". What you see during the Overture and opening credits is "The Creation of Adam". I asked when this won the lottery that you not go into it with prejudice because of the length. Apparently you couldn't since you were complaining about the length before it even started. Too bad.
KatWithAttitude
2024-11-24 01:46:21 +0000 UTCTop 25 Movies of all time in my opinion
Josef Nitervol
2024-11-24 01:43:00 +0000 UTCI watched it on Tubi with ads. Only was able to get through 1hr 40mins. I skipped to your comments. Thanks for spending your day doing this. Love the chairs. Can't wait to see the evolution of your set.
T’Pynyn of Vulcan
2024-11-24 01:25:49 +0000 UTCHahahahahha
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 01:08:37 +0000 UTCThat’s not shocking
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 01:04:23 +0000 UTCThey still have intermissions in some countries. In Turkey the film just suddenly cuts to commercials exactly half way through, whether it’s in the middle of a line of dialogue or not. I started watching this but accidentally paused you and didn’t realise for 10 minutes.
Paul Rymer
2024-11-24 01:02:04 +0000 UTCThere was plenty we liked about it
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 01:01:36 +0000 UTCThe wheel gods like punishing us
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 01:00:24 +0000 UTCWe actually heard they were going to include that chapter and we shut it down
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-24 00:58:14 +0000 UTCDidn't watch it yet but JFC, 4 hours? Why are people picking movies that long when you guys are known for not liking films that long? You guys need to enforce film lengths or something when you draw winners. It's a shame because having seen the list, there are lots of cool 90 ish minute features on the wheel and the long boys always get landed on.
THE LORE!!!
2024-11-24 00:41:36 +0000 UTCYou guys are the exact reason we don't have The Scouring of the Shire in Lord of the Rings. If you know you know. Anyways I'm sad you guys didn't care for it due to the length. I watch this every couple years. I love it, despite the religious content (I'm atheist) for me its like any other Fantasy tale. Now I definitely think your place of an ending could definitely work with a few tweaks, I however obviously love it as it is.
Sequiro
2024-11-24 00:22:19 +0000 UTCAnd Hollywood made movies like this were made to attract people away from the enemy called Television.
andrew mccormick
2024-11-23 23:55:21 +0000 UTCIf you want to get a better understanding of the Romulans in Star Trek, this film does a good job of showing how they think and their culture (Romans/Romulans).
Collin Freeman
2024-11-23 23:36:05 +0000 UTCYes, there were no "Christians" at this time. That term came decades later. At this time and after the crucifixion of Jesus, the followers of Jesus were considered to be some kind of heretical sub-cult of Judaism.
Collin Freeman
2024-11-23 23:25:00 +0000 UTCYes, those too
Collin Freeman
2024-11-23 23:18:05 +0000 UTCAnd other non-Biblical Ancient epics like SPARTACUS, CLEOPATRA, THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, and the Serial I, CLAUDIUS.
andrew mccormick
2024-11-23 23:10:42 +0000 UTCAnd Martha Scott played his mom in both films. He would play another Jew John the Baptist in THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD.
andrew mccormick
2024-11-23 23:08:14 +0000 UTCHey guys! I just joined your patreon so I could see your reaction to my favorite movie of all time and imagine my horror when you guys HATED it. Needless to say I'm never returning after this. You have just LOST a patron. Anyway see you next month for more Star Trek! (Seriously though, always appreciate your candor. Your honesty is why I'm here. I actually havent seen Ben Hur since I was a kid and I was more patient back then, believe it or not.
Deep Red
2024-11-23 23:06:35 +0000 UTCIt’s unfortunate you didn’t like it. I watch it every December for about 27 years.
andrew mccormick
2024-11-23 23:04:56 +0000 UTCYou guys were talking about the Intermission & how long the show was. Back in the day, you would also have 2-3 cartoons and the news before the show. Going to the movie was a huge deal back then. Remember there were still tons of people without televisions when this movie came out.
Crush
2024-11-23 22:51:48 +0000 UTCI honestly think films like this were used to pat the older folks on the head about this sort of thing, like a substitute for actually reading bibles. "Do you believe, my son?" "Well, I saw Ben Hur..." "Good boy." And so the old guy went to take a nap, and verily did the football game reappear.
Alan Thompson
2024-11-23 22:51:17 +0000 UTCRemember Judah broke the mezorrah in anger at God. At the end he repairs it, implying his faith in God still remains despite everything.
andrew mccormick
2024-11-23 22:46:52 +0000 UTCThere was no fatalities in the chariot race
andrew mccormick
2024-11-23 22:38:56 +0000 UTCThe Space pod race from THE PHANTOM MENACE is based on the Chariot Race.
andrew mccormick
2024-11-23 22:34:30 +0000 UTCI think this was the second time Charleton Heston played a biblical Jewish man. The first was as Moses in The Ten Commandments, another long biblical epic.
Collin Freeman
2024-11-23 22:18:56 +0000 UTCThis movie is known (over-known?) for the chariot race. That is all I have ever heard anyone say about it, like the car chase in Bullitt. Nobody says anything about the rest of the film.
Collin Freeman
2024-11-23 22:15:50 +0000 UTCOne thing that always bugs me about biblical films is everyone speaks in the Queen's English.
Collin Freeman
2024-11-23 22:11:31 +0000 UTCMetro Goldwyn Mayer turned 100 last April. The decision to freeze Leo the Lion at the beginning was do to giving a reverent touch.
andrew mccormick
2024-11-23 22:10:54 +0000 UTCGore Vidal did some uncredited parts of the script, and he claims he wrote a suggestion that Messala had a homosexual affection to Judah, so his opposition is more like “Hell hath no fury than a lover scorned”
andrew mccormick
2024-11-23 22:08:53 +0000 UTC“Ben” means “Son of” so Judah Ben-Hur is Judah Son of Hur.
andrew mccormick
2024-11-23 22:05:52 +0000 UTCStarting my first segment now!🤩 Thanks for all the work you are putting in! 😃
T’Pynyn of Vulcan
2024-11-23 22:01:09 +0000 UTCI need to buy this movie so i can watch the reaction, waiting to see if it’s going to be included in Black Friday sales on iTunes. But yeah baby! 4 hours… 🤪
Connor Fallon
2024-11-23 21:43:42 +0000 UTCMyrrh is a balm or ointment.
Aramis Calcutt
2024-11-23 21:24:03 +0000 UTCThanks!
Josh (Target Audience)
2024-11-23 20:43:04 +0000 UTCIts fascinating to look at how Hollywood imagined this time period in the 50s vs something like the HBO series Rome which last I knew, better conformed to current academic understanding. All the metal plate armor for example is pretty silly looking.
Julie Carter
2024-11-23 20:37:47 +0000 UTCI'm happy for you guys and am looking forward to seeing how the studio comes along.
LoTeq
2024-11-23 20:34:40 +0000 UTCIn case it was unclear, the "Anno Domini XXVI" after the credits means 26 AD, so there was just a 26 year time jump. :P
Julie Carter
2024-11-23 20:10:24 +0000 UTCAt 2x this will be a long 2 hour watch.
Paul Hess
2024-11-23 19:59:03 +0000 UTCYou could tilt the seats back and have dental work done while you watch the movie.
Ron
2024-11-23 19:55:00 +0000 UTCOmg 4 hours 💀
Patrick Smith
2024-11-23 19:48:29 +0000 UTCI expect there to be two skeletons in the chairs at the end
Phil Ken Sebben
2024-11-23 19:32:51 +0000 UTCLooking forward to finally watching this bad boy with you guys in its entirety.
Collin Freeman
2024-11-23 19:32:49 +0000 UTC
