'Ben-Hur: 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition' - High-Def Digest Review

[LordoftheRingsEE]

Here we go again! More money for this movie on from all my previous versions in all the other formats.

And eventually 3D!

Then 4K!

Then 8K!

Then 4D!

Then 16K!

Then ... I'll be dead way before that!

[pkinsley]

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. Other reviewers have agreed and I can't wait to receive this from Amazon.
I was fortunate enough to see Ben Hur as a reserved seat, road show attraction in 1960 at the Loews theater in Boston. The theater was equipped with the lastest speaker set up and wide screen to take advantage of the 6 channel sound track and 70 mm image. It was by far the best image and sound quality in any film up to that time.
Miklos Rozsa's score filled the entire theater and the sea battle, chariot race and storm that followed the crucifixion took full advantage of the surround speakers installed on either side of the aisles.
The film was extremely long but well worth the investment in time. William Wyler directed more actors to academy award performances than any other director and this film shows you why. Even the centurion who cries "no water for him !" was dead on with his portrayal.
Ben Hur reveals the best work Charlton Heston has ever done and the most satisfying epic ever filmed.

[davcole]

I looked at the price of the box set and began to cry cause that's outside of my price range. Fortunately seems Best Buy has a "combo pack" on sale for $29.99 next week. I'm all in on that one!!

BEN-HUR is one of my all-time favorites and personally the height of what an epic should be, along with the best theatrical telling of the Christ story. I knew Warner would do a fine job with the video restoration, now I'm hearing how great the audio sounds. Man I am super geeked for next Tuesday!!

[Boston007]

dude I want this! Cant wait for it to ship..It was one of my first dvd;s too.. This movie is so kick ass. What's up with the AFI dropping this to #100. What bullshit, and I bet I know why, it's because the story depicts a positive story of Christianity...

LOL you are probably right.

Who votes on the AFI exactly?

[Boston007]

I looked at the price of the box set and began to cry cause that's outside of my price range. Fortunately seems Best Buy has a "combo pack" on sale for $29.99 next week. I'm all in on that one!!

BEN-HUR is one of my all-time favorites and personally the height of what an epic should be, along with the best theatrical telling of the Christ story. I knew Warner would do a fine job with the video restoration, now I'm hearing how great the audio sounds. Man I am super geeked for next Tuesday!!

Give us details on this combo pack ?

[Cochise]

I have never seen Ben-Hur. I think I'll rectify that as soon as Blockbuster or Netflix carry this version

Blockbuster by Mail is carrying it, not sure if stores will stock it. I'm sure Qwikster (formerly known as Netflix) won't bother. I haven't seen it in years, the religious aspects used to put me off but I've gotten over that and think of it as any other fiction; really looking forward to seeing this on Blu-ray. My copy from Amazon UK shipped this morning, but that will take 7-10 days to reach me so I'm going to try to snag it form Blockbuster by Mail on Tuesday for a 'sneak preview'.

Nice review, really makes one anticipate the release. Too bad those list of ads right in the middle cheapens the review so much. (Yes, I'm going to bitch about them every time I post about a review. They're really tacky and not only cheapen the review, but the whole site as well.)

[Thulsadoom]

Flippin' 'eck!! That is an astounding review! I love the film, and have to grab a copy of this... or should I say, I hope I can. Anyone know if it's not region locked?

[El Bicho]

What's up with the AFI dropping this to #100. What bullshit, and I bet I know why, it's because the story depicts a positive story of Christianity...

Then why have it on the first list? I await your "theory"

[Nettacki]

Man, I remember watching this movie on DVD with my family when I was younger (like, middle school). It really amazed me, especially for a film made in the 50s. I'll get this blu-ray set someday, alongside Citizen Kane.

[Elvis_Rambo]

Then why have it on the first list? I await your "theory"

Good question, easy answer. Our culture as become militantly secular in last few decades. Back when this film came out it was way more common to have christian movies depicted on film.. That's nowhere present in today's cinema. Take a look at Cecil DeMille's movies, he was considered a mainstream film maker in his day and a well respected one too.

When the first list came out you had an older group in voters giving their opinion. (an older generation ) On this new list it place as #100. The last possible slot is bullshit. So the next list this flick will fall off the list? Really? A movie like this that has so strong of a presence with thee greatest chariot races ever filmed that's just breath taking

The only logical explanation has to be the depiction of Christ., As davcole said " the best theatrical telling of the Christ story."
Today's culture wouldn't have the balls to release a film of this magnitude without it being marginalized as a religious movie..

[Bouncy X]

after recently sitting through the original Apes movie, i don't know if i could handle watching this. its not often where the stereotypes and impressions of an actor aren't exaggerated in the least but damn.

[RichGardner]

I actually picked this up today at the BB in Dallas. They had the shipper right at the front door. There was a little ordeal about the date. But they sold it to me at the ad price. I got the big one with the figure included.

[Doctorossi]

Our culture as become militantly secular in last few decades.

Oh, that it were true!

The only logical explanation has to be the depiction of Christ.

I guess "There are lots of other good movies out there, too" just isn't a complicated, craven and conspiratorial enough reason to consider, huh?

[HD Whore]

GREAT review.
Based on your glowing remarks I invested (that means: "spent-too-much!") in a SteelBook edition.
Thanks... I think?!?!

[Boston007]

Good question, easy answer. Our culture as become militantly secular in last few decades. Back when this film came out it was way more common to have christian movies depicted on film.. That's nowhere present in today's cinema. Take a look at Cecil DeMille's movies, he was considered a mainstream film maker in his day and a well respected one too.

When the first list came out you had an older group in voters giving their option. (an older generation ) On this new list it place as #100. The last possible slot is bullshit. So the next list this flick will fall off the list? Really? A movie like this that has so strong of a presence with thee greatest chariot races ever filmed that's just breath taking

The only logical explanation has to be the depiction of Christ., As davcole said " the best theatrical telling of the Christ story."
Today's culture wouldn't have the balls to release a film of this magnitude without it being marginalized as a religious movie..

I concure 100%, especially the last sentence.