In 1959, the first version of Ben- Hur was released. After 57 years a new version is being compared with the “original” one. Timur Bekmambetov’s movie has in the main cast Morgan Freeman (Sheik Ilderim), Rodrigo Santoro (Jesus Christ), Jack Huston (Judah Ben-Hur),Toby Kebbell (Messala).
The plot of the movie is not so impressing. Judah is from a rich family in Jerusalem. Messala grew up with Judah’s family. They were raised as brothers. But when he became an adult, he joined in the Roman army. Afterwards, his fights against the enemies of Rome started. Pointed as one of them, Judah is mistankenly appointed as a riot starter and condemned to live as a slave in a Roman warship. Some years later he came back to take his revenge on Messala. However, an important part of the plot is Judah’s life as a contemporary to the presence and teachings of Jesus.
Despite of the critics, strength points can be seen in Ben Hur. How technology was used and how it made the scenes extremely dynamic are some aspects that caught the attention and made the audience not even blink. Short and quick scenes illustrate the action’s part of the history, giving the characteristic of drama, cruelty, violence and tension that a war involves. The higher investment in 3D is a differential, all battles and war ships were produced with this kind of technology, which required an expensive cost.
In 1959, the budget was US$ 15 million. Now, in 2016, it was US$ 100 million. The increase of the expenses was consequence of the new 3D technology that didn’t exist in 1959 yet and because of the minutiae of details. The costumes itself give a message and is a crucial part of the performance. Comparing with 1959, we can identify how it has changed. It is important for the characterization, it is way to describe the character – it is a reflex of the personality, the social standing and others aspects that define the character.
The most touching characteristic of the film is how the human aspect is explored. Jesus is the figure who represents humanity in its purest and kind side. It brings to the surface the necessity that we have to reconsider the way humanity is living and dealing with the acquaintanceship. In the moment that Judah was condemned, he was taken into the city tied up to a heavy wooden. When he got exhausted and fall, Jesus was there to stand his hand and give him water. Jesus says to Judah “You would do the same”. Some years later, Jesus was condemned to be crucified; on the way to the crucifixion Judah was there to be the one to offer him water. The scene has the intention of illustrating how the human beings should think of others as fellow creature.
After being betrayed by his step-brother and living as a slave for five years, the only thing Judah wanted was to take revenge. Hatred was the only feeling he was able to feel. In virtue of that he just wanted the death of Messala. In the chariot racing he won, but he realized the only thing he wanted was to live if the ones he loves and did not hate anyone. From then on, he will be the one who will be by his brother side. It show us the human capacity of forgiving.Ben Hur probably is not the film that draws the audience into the movie theaters to watch an action movie and with an incredible plot. However, it fascinates the ones who give themselves up to sentiments. It is a thrilling movie.