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AFI Movie Club: BEN-HUR
BEN-HUR ranks #100 on AFI’s 10th anniversary list of the greatest American movies of all time and #49 for the most thrilling. The film’s star Charlton Heston served as the chairman of the American Film Institute from 1973-1983!
Watch Ben Mankiewicz from Turner Classic Movies announce the film:
Movie Trivia about BEN-HUR
–DID YOU KNOW that BEN-HUR is a remake of MGM’s 1925 adaptation of a Lew Wallace novel? The original film was one of the most popular and financially successful films of the 1920s!
–DID YOU KNOW director William Wyler worked as an assistant director and production manager on the 1925 version of BEN-HUR?
–DID YOU KNOW Marlon Brando, Tony Curtis, Montgomery Clift, Kirk Douglas, Rock Hudson and Paul Newman were all considered for the lead role in BEN-HUR?
–DID YOU KNOW screenwriter Gore Vidal rewrote – with William Wyler’s permission – the scene in which Messala and Judah meet for the first time as adults to convey a backstory that the two men had once been lovers in their youth? Vidal informed Stephen Boyd (Messala) but refrained from telling the more conservative Charlton Heston.
–DID YOU KNOW the climactic chariot race sequence – which ran for just under 10 minutes in the final film – required months of planning and 10 weeks to shoot? During filming, stunt double Joe Canutt was actually thrown from his chariot but emerged with only minor cuts.
–DID YOU KNOW veteran MGM film editor Margaret Booth traveled to Rome to assist William Wyler and editors Ralph E. Winters and John D. Dunning in cutting the film?
–DID YOU KNOW that composer Miklós Rózsa conducted MGM’s 100-piece symphony orchestra in 12 recording sessions over a 70-hour period for BEN-HUR? It is the longest score ever produced for a film.
Learn more at the AFI Catalog.
The movie doesn’t end at the credits: Family-friendly Discussion Questions
Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram now using #AFIMovieClub. Or post your responses in the comment section below.
-What impression do you have of Ben-Hur when he’s introduced at the beginning of the film? How is he a privileged figure, and what attitude does he have toward life?
-William Wyler made a definitive choice not to show Jesus or hear him speak onscreen. What impact does this have?
-What are some of Ben-Hur’s personal turning points throughout the film where he evolves as a character?
-What do you think of Charlton Heston’s performance? Which is your favorite of his films?
-How does forgiveness bring new hope to Ben-Hur’s life?
-What do you think of the technical feat that is the iconic chariot race sequence?
-How would you rate BEN-HUR?
Watch Martin Scorsese and Charlton Heston talk about the famous chariot scene in this AFI Archive exclusive clip:
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In this time when we are reminded “There’s no place like home,” AFI has created a global, virtual gathering of those who love the movies. Each day’s film is accompanied by fun facts, family-friendly discussion points and material from the AFI Archive to enrich your viewing experience.
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Edgard Lassalle
My favorite film and definitely one of the greatest of ALL time!!!