39,327
edits
Ben-Hur: Difference between revisions
m
update links
(Trivia) |
m (update links) |
||
Line 13:
When we return, it's ''Anno Domini'' XXVI - A.D. 26. Messala, a Roman who grew up in Judea but spent most of his life in more traditional Roman enclaves, is accepting an important position in Jerusalem under the new governor of Judea; it's a hard job, since the Jews don't want the Romans there, but he feels up to it. He is visited by his childhood friend, and our hero, Judah Ben Hur, a very important and influential Jew. They try to pick up the friendship where it left off, but there's one big problem: they no longer have anything in common besides their shared past. They are in denial about this for a while, and Judah agrees to try to get people to accept the Romans.
We meet Ben Hur's mother and sister. We also meet [[Old Retainer|his right-hand slave]], Simonides, who is his business administrator and is in town for his yearly report--he's based in Antioch. He's very good at managing Judah's assets, and very loyal. Simonides' daughter Esther is with him; she is about to enter an arranged marriage, but needs Ben Hur's approval. Ben Hur gives it, and even throws in her freedom as a wedding present, but - [[She
Messala comes over for dinner. Judah and Messala go out back to meet privately. Judah gives Messala a white horse. Messala asks Judah for his progress in pacifying the Jews; on learning that it isn't 100% successful, he wants to know who's refusing. Messala makes clear that he wants names. Judah, while protesting that he's nonviolent himself, doesn't think that the Jews resisting Roman rule are doing anything wrong, and so he doesn't provide them. Messala begs for cooperation, but in doing so makes clear that he considers the Roman Emperor a god; not only doesn't Judah believe that, but he's personally against the occupation. They leave as enemies, and Judah Ben Hur is left to explain why Messala isn't staying for dinner.
Line 77:
* [[Ironic Echo]]: "We keep you alive to serve this ship. Row well, and live."
** As Ben Hur is dragged off to the slave ship, Jesus gives Ben Hur much-needed water despite the Roman guards threatening to stop him. Later, when Ben Hur sees that the "miracle healer" is Jesus, he tries to return the favor of offering Jesus some water during his tribulation {{spoiler|only for the Romans to successfully stop him.}}
* [[
* [[Large Ham]]: You can tell Hugh Griffith is enjoying himself as Ilderim. Heston as Judah has a few moments as well.
* [[Letterbox]] The chariot sequence is ALWAYS presented in letterbox, even if the rest of the movie is a [[Pan and Scan]] format.
| |||