Ben-Hur released 50 years ago

Ben-Hur Released: November 18, 1959 Studio: MGM Genre: war epic Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 74.0 Worldwide: ? Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: 961.94 Worldwide: 2578.10

Directing: William Wyler Screenwriting: Karl Tunberg Starring: Charlton Heston, Hugh Griffith, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Martha Scott, Cathy O’Donnell Review: This remake of the 1927 silent film with Ramon Novarro, itself an adaption of the 1880 novel by Lew Wallace, is “one of the cinema’s greatest epics.” FS It is a “character-driven, action-filled, star-studded extravaganza” FS and “compelling human story of revenge, bitterness, redemption and forgiveness.” FS Heston is Judah Ben Hur, the Prince of Judea. His boyhood friend, Messala (Boyd), has become “a tyrannical Roman Governor.” VD Messala banishes and enslaves Ben Hur and his family (Scott and O’Donnell). Ben Hur “saves the life of Roman nobleman/admiral Quintus Arrius (Hawkins), is adopted and becomes a respected citizen and a famed chariot racer under the tutelage of an Arabian horse racer (Griffith).” FS Years later, Ben Hur seeks revenge against Messala in the Roman Chariot Race, “often regarded as one of the most exciting action sequences ever filmed.” FS Along the way, Ben Hur has “an inspirational encounter with Jesus.” FS When Ben Hur returns to Judea, “rescues his suffering, leprous family and witnesses the crucifixion of Jesus.” FS Heston finds “forgiveness and redemption when he tries to help Jesus Christ, the man who once saved him” A7 “and is inspired to convert to Christianity.” FS Sources: A7 American Film Institute (2007). “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies – 10th Anniversary Edition” FS Filmsite.org “100 Greatest Films” VD Video Detective (1997). “Top 100 Films of All Time”

Awards/Honors/Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Genre Lists: Box Office: Oscars: Wins: 11, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Charlton Heston), Best Supporting Actor (Hugh Griffith), Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Production Design, Best Sound Mixing, Best Visual Effects Nominations: 12, included Best Adapted Screenplay Other Awards: Other Lists/Honors: First posted 9/13/2019; last updated 5/29/2023.

50 years ago: Touch of Evil released

Touch of Evil Released: April 23, 1958 Studio: Universal Genre: thriller/gangster/film noir Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 2.20 Worldwide: ? Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: ? Worldwide: ?

Directing: Orson Welles Screenwriting: Orson Welles Starring: Charlton Heston, Orson Welles, Janet Leigh, Joseph Calleia Review: “Welles’s last Hollywood film” PM is “proof that post-Kane Welles was not a downward spiral.” T98 It is “considered one of the finest classics-era film noir” MSN as well as “a technical masterpiece.” VD It is a “tightly directed and brilliantly scripted film.” A07 which “is remarkably idiosyncratic, from its legendary opening crane shot to the strangely angled setups and crosscut plotlines.” PM This is “an off-beat, twisted, dark and sweaty…thriller, with murder, police corruption, kidnapping, betrayal, perversion and more” FS “in a seedy border town.” VD Hank Quinlan (Welles) is a “a big, fat, corrupt cop” ML “tracking down some thugs that murdered a wealthy crime lord.” VD He “habitually fabricates evidence to convict the guilty (even though his instincts are usually correct) and frames a young Mexican for the murder.” FS This puts him in conflict with the “self-righteous” FS Mike Vargas (Heston), a Mexican narcotics agent. Through “persistent, perilous efforts with the cooperation of Quinlan’s long-time partner Sgt. Pete Menzies (Calleia),” FS Vargas is able to bring down Quinlan. The movie opens with “cinema’s most exhilarating and complex opening-shot ever” T98 and ends “with the explosive, car-bomb murder of an American businessman on the American side of the border.” FS Sources: FS Filmsite.org “100 Greatest Films” ML Movieline (Dec. 1995). “100 Best Movies Ever Made” by Virginia Campbell and Edward Margulies MSN MSN Entertainment (7/19/2018). “100 Best Movies” by Shahnaz Mahmud PM Premiere Magazine (Oct. 1998). “100 Most Daring Movies Ever Made” T98 Time Out (1998). “Readers’ Top 100 Films” VD Video Detective (1997). “Top 100 Films of All Time”

Awards/Honors/Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Genre Lists: Awards: Oscars: Wins: 0 Nominations: 0 Other Lists/Honors: First posted 5/22/2023; last updated 6/3/2023.