Ben-Hur

"Love Conquer Revenge”

Production : Bazelevs, Lightworkers Media, Sean Daniel Productions
Distributor : Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Director : Timur Bekmambetov
Casts : Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Rodrigo Santoro, Nazanin Boniadi, Ayelet Zurer, Morgan Freeman, Haluk Bilginer
Duration : 123 minutes
Release Date : August 19, 2016

This film is the fifth film adaptation of the 1880 novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ written by Lew Wallace. The most memorable one would be the 11 Academy Award-winning 1959 film. Which became one of the most famous films in the history of cinema.

In 2014, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Paramount Pictures decided to make a remake of this famous film, Ben-Hur. Directed by Russian director Timur Bekmambetov. With the role of Judah Ben-Hur played by Jack Huston and Messala, Judah adopted brother played by Toby Kebbell while Morgan Freeman became Judah’s mentor; Sheikh Ilderim. Tom Hiddleston, Gal Gadot even considered for a role in the film. But, instead, the producer and director put some new stars on the list. Quite dangerous!

Some labeled this film as 2016’s box office bomb. With many critics inside the U.S and more successfully internationally. Still, couldn’t help that the film flop. Starting from the film’s lack of stars to the film slow paced and too long duration became everybody’s reason. Maybe because the Ben-Hur character isn’t loveable enough even with the nice acting of Jack Huston. For some audience, it’s not enough. Yet, some like Messala’s character more.

Starts with Ben-Hur and Messala riding horse brings the sense of tense to the audience heart which quite impressive. It shows the bond between the two brothers. Everything’s looked well executed and how it is quite different from 1959’s Ben-Hur. In which, this time the Jesus Christ-era is shown more from the start and connected till the end of the movie through Ben-Hur’s wife Esther played by Nazanin Boniadi is perfect to touched everybody’s heart-apparently just some seeing the good of this fact.

This film is a strong film which has given a healing treatment to the audience. Some get out of the cinema with smile healed heart and some get out of the cinema with a normal yet bored face. Whatever it is, applause for all the team, who could make such an incredible film! No matter how flop the film is, the important part, this film can show people that love can conquer revenge and films can be a healing treatment for the audience!(Anna Rose)

Point: 88