Ben Hur (DVD)

An ideal gift for all Ben Hur film lovers! The product was not intended for me....but it ws sent as a present to someone else....and i can assure you that the face was lit up when she opened this box set! It has everything you want....a disc disc movie....another disc haiving the silent version plus other enjoyable features and extras! And the sound....it was just PERFECT! There are no other words to describe this product. Really satisfied! A must see!

Good service product in first class condition. Would definately buy from this seller again, answered query by return.

A fabulous story leading to the birth of Jesus. Jealousy, love, heart-break, betrayal of someone close and loved, redemption, forgiveness …… it has it all. Emotionally stirring, and quickly sucks you in. Charlton Heston is powerful and compelling. The chariot horse race is exciting, and makes you feel that you are almost there, even to almost feeling the heat and tasting grit. The scene of the crucifixion breaks your heart and is powerfully portrayed. Doesn’t matter how often I have seen this film, I still go wow, hold my breath, and cheer on as though it is the first time I watched it! Outstanding and a find of great rarity!!!!

Just bought and more than pleased!! Excellent condition, with fabulous communication.

Great find. Merry Xmas to me! lol!

Ben Hur is the ultimate in Epic movies. Up until now, I must have seen it in excess of 70 times and each time I see something different or new. It goes without saying that if you're not a fan of biblical epics that are over 3 hours long, then you won't like this.

But if you love classic dialogue, superb acting, action-packed chariot races and special effects, then this is the film for you. It was the death of lead actor, Charlton Heston, that prompted me to buy this film again (I say again because I have it on video several times, but not on DVD).

The story was written by US Army General, Lew Wallace and is based around the same time as the story of Jesus but the main character is Judah Ben Hur, a wealthy trader whose boyhood relationship with the tribune, Messala, turns bad when he refuses to "help" the tribune manage the people of the newly acquired province.

You have drama, corruption, framing, inprisonment, love, hate, war, pride, vengence and redemption in a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

I'm not going to spoil it by telling you the end. Watch it and be spellbound, just like I was 35 years ago.

This four disc package is the ultimate Ben Hur dvd set. In the absense of a Criterion edition (and really they've been pipped to the post here) this is the best offering available. With 2 DVDs being made available for the movie, half on each one. The full glory of the 70mm (65 and a 5mm sound strip) is there in all its magnificence. This is one of those BIG epics that are better viewed on a big screen. So show it on the big widescreen tv, and if you dont have one and cant afford one (like me) take it to a pals house who has one. Tell them to put aside an evening and bring the popcorn. The 'disc change break' after 100 minutes or so is a welcome break for streching the legs, then its back to the next half.

The other two DVDs comprise of one disc for the entire 1925 silent epic of Ben Hur. Actually quite interesting in itself, make sure you put aside time to see this as well. As they mention, it was only the "talkies" that killed off this silent version, otherwise it would still be as big today. The fourth DVD comprises of two one hour documentaries, one from 1994 and the next from 2005. Full of many, many revealing facts about the film and its making. such as the sheer monumental size of the epic. With the set of the Roman circus, where the chariots race being over a mile long! The wall behind the race track was four times taller than anything built for the epic Gladiator, and the set designer of that modern classic is seen to marvel at what they archived back in the 1950's.
Then also on disc four are some screen tests with different actors trying out for Massala and Ben Hur, and some hair and makeup tests. Then we have clips from the Academy Awards ceremony where Ben Hur picked up a record 11 Oscars. Then we have last but not least the obligatory, Theatrical trailers and sets of photo shots from the film and set. All in all a very full-some package indeedy.

I bought the DVD 'cos it is my all time favorite film and the DVD take up less shelf space than a VHS.

Whilst I am not accusing the seller of this film of anything untoward, the one pet hate of mine are the sellers who try to make more money by overcharging on postage and packing.