Additional Features
This long-awaited release presents a glorious anamorphic print complete with a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack spread over both sides of a double-sided disc. The music sounds fresher than ever, and both the theatrical overture and entr'acte are included. There's an extensive and enjoyable documentary tracing the history of the story by Lew Wallace through stage productions to the first MGM version in 1925 and then to the 1959 production. Charlton Heston provides an intermittent commentary, evidently enjoying the experience of watching the movie again, and his comments are usefully indexed so you can skip to the next bit without having to sit through chunks of silence. (During the chariot race he voiced his concern to second-unit director Yakima Canutt that the stuntmen were better drivers. Replied Canutt: "Chuck, just drive the damn chariot and I guarantee that you'll win.") Also included are a couple of screen tests, one with Leslie Nielsen in pre-Naked Gun days as Messala. A photo gallery and theatrical trailers complete an epic DVD package. --Mark Walker
Amazon.com Essential Video
Ben-Hur scooped an unprecedented 11 Academy Awards® in 1959 and, unlike some later rivals, richly deserved every single one. This is epic filmmaking on a scale that had not been seen before and is unlikely ever to be seen again. But it's not just running time or a cast of thousands that makes an epic, it's the subject matter, and here the subject--Prince Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) and his estrangement from old Roman pal Messala (Stephen Boyd)--is rich, detailed, and sensitively handled. Director William Wyler, who had been a junior assistant on MGM's original silent version back in 1925, never sacrifices the human focus of the story in favor of spectacle, and is aided immeasurably by Miklos Rozsa's majestic musical score, arguably the greatest ever written for a Hollywood picture. At four hours it's a long haul (especially given some of the portentous dialogue), but all in all, Ben-Hur is a great movie, best seen on the biggest screen possible. --Mark Walker
On the DVD
ccThe 1959 movie: New digital transfer (16x9 2.76:1) from restored 65mm elements
The 1959 movie: Commentary by film historian T. Gene Hatcher, with Charlton Heston
The 1959 movie: Music-only track showcasing Miklos Rozsa's score
The 1959 movie: Languages - English & Franais
The 1959 movie: Subtitles - English, Franais & Espaol (feature film only)
The 1925 silent version: The Thames Television restoration with a Stereophonic orchestral score by Carl Davis
2005 documentary Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema
1994 documentary Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic
Ben-Hur: A Journey Through Pictures - audiovisual recreation via stills, storyboards, sketches, music and dialogue
Screen tests
Vintage newsreels gallery
Highlights from the 4/4/60 Academy Awards Ceremony
Theatrical trailer gallery
The 1959 movie: Commentary by film historian T. Gene Hatcher, with Charlton Heston
The 1959 movie: Music-only track showcasing Miklos Rozsa's score
The 1959 movie: Languages - English & Franais
The 1959 movie: Subtitles - English, Franais & Espaol (feature film only)
The 1925 silent version: The Thames Television restoration with a Stereophonic orchestral score by Carl Davis
2005 documentary Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema
1994 documentary Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic
Ben-Hur: A Journey Through Pictures - audiovisual recreation via stills, storyboards, sketches, music and dialogue
Screen tests
Vintage newsreels gallery
Highlights from the 4/4/60 Academy Awards Ceremony
Theatrical trailer gallery
DVD Menu
- Disc #1 -- Ben-Hur (1959) Part 1
- Play Movie
- Scene Selections
- Special Features
- Commentary by T. Gene Hatcher With Charlton Heston
- Music-Only Track
- Languages
- Spoken Languages: English
- Spoken Languages: Franais
- Subtitles: English
- Subtitles: Franais
- Subtitles: Espaol
- Subtitles: Off
- Disc #2 -- Ben-Hur (1959) Part 2
- Play Movie
- Scene Selections
- Special Features
- Commentary by T. Gene Hatcher With Charlton Heston
- Music-Only Track
- Languages
- Spoken Languages: English
- Spoken Languages: Franais
- Subtitles: English
- Subtitles: Franais
- Subtitles: Espaol
- Subtitles: Off
- Disc #3 -- Ben-Hur (1925 Version)
- Play 1925 Version
- Scene Selections
- Disc #4 -- Ben-Hur: Bonus Features
- Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema
- Chapter Index
- Play
- Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic
- Chapter Index
- Play
- Ben-Hur: A Journey Through Pictures
- Screen Tests
- Leslie Nielsen and Cesare Danova
- Leslie Nielsen and Yale Wexler (Without Sound)
- George Baker and William Russell
- Haya Harareet Hair and Make-up Tests (Without Sound)
- Play All
- Vintage Newsreels
- Costliest Film Makes Screen History
- The Night Ben-Hur Comes to Broadway
- West Coast Welcomes Ben-Hur
- VIP Opening: Capital Welcome for Ben-Hur
- Japan's Emperor Goes to the Movies
- Oscar Likes Ben-Hur
- Play All
- Highlights From 4/4/1960 Academy Awards Ceremony
- Theatrical Trailers
- 1959 Loew's Theater Teaser
- 1959 Theatrical Trailer
- 1961 General Release Trailer #1
- 1961 General Release Trailer #2
- 1969 70mm Re-issue Trailer
- Play All
- Web Info
- Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema
DVD Chapters
Disc #1 -- Ben-Hur (1959) Part 1
1. Overture [6:31]
2. Nativity Prologue [5:04]
3. Credits [2:07]
4. March Through Nazareth [2:15]
5. Messala in Command [1:58]
6. Fighting an Idea [3:37]
7. Still Close in Every Way [3:40]
8. A Toast [3:26]
9. Gifts Exchanged [2:36]
10. Judah's Choice [5:14]
11. Esther's Request [4:01]
12. Ring for a Kiss [4:35]
13. March Into Jerusalem [2:49]
14. The Accident [3:41]
15. Jailbreak Attempt [2:45]
16. Making an Example [3:36]
17. Bondage [3:01]
18. Water From a Stranger [4:33]
19. Quintus Arrius [4:34]
20. Ramming Speed [3:50]
21. Strange, Stubborn Faith [3:16]
22. Sea Battle Begins [3:59]
23. Galley Rescues [2:50]
24. Saving Arrius [2:04]
25. Victory [4:24]
26. Divine Emperor [3:41]
27. Son of Arrius [4:08]
28. Thinking of Judea [2:43]
29. Balthazar and Ilderim [4:23]
30. Arabians Night [4:41]
31. Many Paths to God [3:39]
32. Homecoming [4:06]
33. Survivors Reunited [4:21]
34. "We Stood Here Before" [3:23]
35. Confronting Messala [4:09]
36. Finding Miriam and Tirzah [2:44]
37. Vow in the Darkness [6:03]
38. "Forget Messala" [2:26]
39. Intermission [:34]
Disc #2 -- Ben-Hur (1959) Part 2
40. Entr'Acte [3:49]
41. A Wager [4:45]
42. Chariot Practice [2:12]
43. "This Is they Day" [4:17]
44. Chariot Procession [3:34]
45. Entrants [2:00]
46. Early Eliminations [4:29]
47. Neck and Neck [3:50]
48. Fallen Driver [1:37]
49. Judah Triumphant [2:04]
50. The Race Goes On [5:28]
51. Valley of the Lepers [2:15]
52. "Is Judah Well?" [4:28]
53. Thirsty Still [3:42]
54. "I Am Judah Ben-Hur" [3:54]
55. Becoming Messala [4:10]
56. Recovering Miriam and Tirzah [5:26]
57. Young Rabbi Sentenced [3:12]
58. Offer of Water [4:14]
59. The Crucifixion [3:04]
60. Cleansing Rain [4:45]
61. "Hallelujah!" [3:00]
Disc #3 -- Ben-Hur (1925 Version)
1. Credits [2:44]
2. Weary Travelers [5:31]
3. Signs in the Sky [4:32]
4. The Nativity [2:22]
5. Godspeed, Simonides [3:57]
6. Judah and Esther [3:47]
7. Welcoming Messala [3:52]
8. To Be a Jew [4:39]
9. The Accident [3:13]
10. Arrested [2:58]
11. Water From the Carpenter [5:08]
12. The Galley [3:44]
13. "I Live for Revenge" [2:05]
14. Battle Stations [2:17]
15. Under Siege [5:26]
16. Rescuing Arrius [2:05]
17. Adopted Son [3:40]
18. Idolized and Forgotten [4:07]
19. Nazorene's Preaching [1:55]
20. A Shiek and a Miser [4:00]
21. Last of the Hurs [3:25]
22. Offered the Reins [4:09]
23. Iras the Egyptian [4:36]
24. Seduction [2:51]
25. True Identity [3:41]
26. Messala's Curse [3:37]
27. Entering the Arena [4:21]
28. The Race Begins [5:05]
29. Victory [4:15]
30. Cause of the King [5:05]
31. Arrival in Jerusalem [2:44]
32. Unclean [1:50]
33. Nearly Reunited [7:44]
34. Vow of Silence [3:28]
35. The Condemned [4:05]
36. Route to Calvary [3:10]
37. Hur Family Miracle [2:31]
38. Morning Joy [2:36]
39. End Credits [1:25]
Disc #4 -- Ben-Hur: Bonus Features
1. Opening [1:30]
2. First Intimate Epic [7:53]
3. Product of the Fifties [6:11]
4. Expanding the Cinematic Experience [7:47]
5. Setting New Standards in Design [10:16]
6. Costume Design: Revealing Character [4:57]
7. Musical Score [8:38]
8. Chariot Race [7:42]
9. One for the Ages [1:42]
10. End Credits [1:00]
1. Introduction [1:38]
2. Publishing Phenomenon [4:00]
3. Major Stage Production [2:49]
4. 1907 Short Film [1:39]
5. 1925 Silent Epic [2:16]
6. Italian Production Woes [5:13]
7. Chariot Race [3:53]
8. 1959: Zimbalist and Wyler [3:04]
9. Italian Locations [3:29]
10. Sea Battle; No Script [3:20]
11. Lovers Quarrel; Rewrites [4:18]
12. Celebrity Visitors [1:09]
13. Casting an Epic [6:04]
14. "Ben-Hur Killed Him" [1:09]
15. Religious Aspects [2:21]
16. The Score; Matte Shots [2:21]
17. Chariot Sequence [6:06]
18. P.R. Campaign; Academy Awards [:59]
19. Crowning Achievement [1:16]
20. End Credits [:59]
1. Overture [6:31]
2. Nativity Prologue [5:04]
3. Credits [2:07]
4. March Through Nazareth [2:15]
5. Messala in Command [1:58]
6. Fighting an Idea [3:37]
7. Still Close in Every Way [3:40]
8. A Toast [3:26]
9. Gifts Exchanged [2:36]
10. Judah's Choice [5:14]
11. Esther's Request [4:01]
12. Ring for a Kiss [4:35]
13. March Into Jerusalem [2:49]
14. The Accident [3:41]
15. Jailbreak Attempt [2:45]
16. Making an Example [3:36]
17. Bondage [3:01]
18. Water From a Stranger [4:33]
19. Quintus Arrius [4:34]
20. Ramming Speed [3:50]
21. Strange, Stubborn Faith [3:16]
22. Sea Battle Begins [3:59]
23. Galley Rescues [2:50]
24. Saving Arrius [2:04]
25. Victory [4:24]
26. Divine Emperor [3:41]
27. Son of Arrius [4:08]
28. Thinking of Judea [2:43]
29. Balthazar and Ilderim [4:23]
30. Arabians Night [4:41]
31. Many Paths to God [3:39]
32. Homecoming [4:06]
33. Survivors Reunited [4:21]
34. "We Stood Here Before" [3:23]
35. Confronting Messala [4:09]
36. Finding Miriam and Tirzah [2:44]
37. Vow in the Darkness [6:03]
38. "Forget Messala" [2:26]
39. Intermission [:34]
Disc #2 -- Ben-Hur (1959) Part 2
40. Entr'Acte [3:49]
41. A Wager [4:45]
42. Chariot Practice [2:12]
43. "This Is they Day" [4:17]
44. Chariot Procession [3:34]
45. Entrants [2:00]
46. Early Eliminations [4:29]
47. Neck and Neck [3:50]
48. Fallen Driver [1:37]
49. Judah Triumphant [2:04]
50. The Race Goes On [5:28]
51. Valley of the Lepers [2:15]
52. "Is Judah Well?" [4:28]
53. Thirsty Still [3:42]
54. "I Am Judah Ben-Hur" [3:54]
55. Becoming Messala [4:10]
56. Recovering Miriam and Tirzah [5:26]
57. Young Rabbi Sentenced [3:12]
58. Offer of Water [4:14]
59. The Crucifixion [3:04]
60. Cleansing Rain [4:45]
61. "Hallelujah!" [3:00]
Disc #3 -- Ben-Hur (1925 Version)
1. Credits [2:44]
2. Weary Travelers [5:31]
3. Signs in the Sky [4:32]
4. The Nativity [2:22]
5. Godspeed, Simonides [3:57]
6. Judah and Esther [3:47]
7. Welcoming Messala [3:52]
8. To Be a Jew [4:39]
9. The Accident [3:13]
10. Arrested [2:58]
11. Water From the Carpenter [5:08]
12. The Galley [3:44]
13. "I Live for Revenge" [2:05]
14. Battle Stations [2:17]
15. Under Siege [5:26]
16. Rescuing Arrius [2:05]
17. Adopted Son [3:40]
18. Idolized and Forgotten [4:07]
19. Nazorene's Preaching [1:55]
20. A Shiek and a Miser [4:00]
21. Last of the Hurs [3:25]
22. Offered the Reins [4:09]
23. Iras the Egyptian [4:36]
24. Seduction [2:51]
25. True Identity [3:41]
26. Messala's Curse [3:37]
27. Entering the Arena [4:21]
28. The Race Begins [5:05]
29. Victory [4:15]
30. Cause of the King [5:05]
31. Arrival in Jerusalem [2:44]
32. Unclean [1:50]
33. Nearly Reunited [7:44]
34. Vow of Silence [3:28]
35. The Condemned [4:05]
36. Route to Calvary [3:10]
37. Hur Family Miracle [2:31]
38. Morning Joy [2:36]
39. End Credits [1:25]
Disc #4 -- Ben-Hur: Bonus Features
1. Opening [1:30]
2. First Intimate Epic [7:53]
3. Product of the Fifties [6:11]
4. Expanding the Cinematic Experience [7:47]
5. Setting New Standards in Design [10:16]
6. Costume Design: Revealing Character [4:57]
7. Musical Score [8:38]
8. Chariot Race [7:42]
9. One for the Ages [1:42]
10. End Credits [1:00]
1. Introduction [1:38]
2. Publishing Phenomenon [4:00]
3. Major Stage Production [2:49]
4. 1907 Short Film [1:39]
5. 1925 Silent Epic [2:16]
6. Italian Production Woes [5:13]
7. Chariot Race [3:53]
8. 1959: Zimbalist and Wyler [3:04]
9. Italian Locations [3:29]
10. Sea Battle; No Script [3:20]
11. Lovers Quarrel; Rewrites [4:18]
12. Celebrity Visitors [1:09]
13. Casting an Epic [6:04]
14. "Ben-Hur Killed Him" [1:09]
15. Religious Aspects [2:21]
16. The Score; Matte Shots [2:21]
17. Chariot Sequence [6:06]
18. P.R. Campaign; Academy Awards [:59]
19. Crowning Achievement [1:16]
20. End Credits [:59]
