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: The Best Years of Our Lives released

The Best Years of Our Lives Released: November 21, 1946 Studio: RKO Genre: war/romance drama Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 23.65 Worldwide: ? Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: 539.60 Worldwide: 803.50

Directing: William Wyler Screenwriting: Robert E. Sherwood Starring: Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Harold Russell, Teresa Wright, Virginia Mayo, Cathy O’Donnell Review: This was the kind of story “Hollywood typically avoided.” MSN In this “landmark, classic drama,” FS “Robert Sherwood’s script from MacKinlay Kantor’s book perfectly captured mood of postwar U.S.; still powerful today.” LM Three World War II veterans return home to their small town and “face a number of emotional conflicts, and try to put their lives back together,” VD “attempting readjustment to peacetime life and discovering that they have fallen behind.” FS The three servicemen “from different strata of society” AFI’98 are “an Army Sergeant (March) who turns to drinking, an Air Force major (Andrews) who is rejected by his wife (Mayo), and a seaman who has lost both arms (Russell) and agonizes over his relationship with his girlfriend (O’Donnell).” FS It “was the right film at the right time – mirroring the experiences of so many soldiers adjusting to a new life.” A07 In his first picture, “Harold Russell, a non-actor and war veteran who was an actual amputee,” FS was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. The Academy didn’t think he’d win, but wanted to give him an honorary Oscar for “bringing hope and courage to other veterans.” LM He ended up winning, which made him the only actor to win two Oscars for the same role. MSN Sources: FS Filmsite.org “100 Greatest Films” LM Leonard Maltin “100 Must-See Films of the 20th Century” MSN MSN Entertainment (7/19/2018). “100 Best Movies” by Shahnaz Mahmud VD Video Detective (1997). “Top 100 Films of All Time”

Awards/Honors/Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Lists: Box Office: Awards: Oscars: Wins: 7, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Fredric March), Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Harold Russell), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Musical Score, Best Film Editing. A Special Academy Award for Russell for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance in the film. Nominations: 8, including Best Sound Mixing Other Lists/Honors: Critics’ Picks: Francis Ford Coppola Leonard Maltin First posted 1/8/2020; last updated 5/30/2023.