It seemed like a discouraging way to start off this challenge, a daunting 3.5 hour epic loosely about Jesus Christ (oy vey), but it was actually very entertaining. While I have to admit, I wasn't completely enthralled by it (it's hard for people of my generation to get into anything that long that isn't a nap), I did enjoy a few of the action scenes more than any comparable scene in recent history.
Without the perks of CGI and special effects, the creators of Ben-Hur managed to pull off the most stressful/intense action scene I've ever witnessed. It is an EPIC chariot race between the two rival characters, Judah Ben-Hur and Messala, and 5 other drivers. Each chariot is fronted by 4 horses (that's 28 horses!) being driven by one man around a dusty track with two hairpin turns, all the while avoiding the crashed chariots and their horses. Any description i could give wouldn't do it justice, just watch it below. It apparently took over 3 months and 15000 extras to film the scene.
This is only the second half, but you will get the idea.
You can't help but respect the work and determination that went into this kind of movie. There would have been no room for error, and lives would have been constantly at risk. There are stories of one of the stunt drivers dying on the set, but they have been denied by the directors. REALLY wouldn't surprise me if they were true. It's a shame that it is nearly impossible to imagine an action movie being made today WITHOUT a green screen
The action wasn't the only good part of the movie though , the story was actually very well done. I'm lazy though, and I don't want to go into it, I just wanted to talk about how bad-ass chariot racing is.
Anyway, I don't know if I would recommend going out and renting it with your friends, but if you are ever terribly bored, and you have nearly 4 hours to waste. I suggest checking out Ben-Hur, even if it's only to watch the chariot race.
Cheers,
Patrick
