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Review

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

While there is nothing particularly awful about this remake of the 1959 classic, the brash, breakneck style - obviously geared towards a young, modern audience - renders it less epic. At best this version of Ben-Hur (also filmed in 1925, from Lew Wallace's novel) is decent popcorn entertainment, with an exciting and brutal re-creation of the famous chariot race which, surprisingly, doesn't look like a computer game. Jack Huston (British grandson of director John Huston) lacks the imposing presence of Charlton Heston, but he does cut a dashing figure in his own, quiet way as the Jewish prince reduced to a slave by the man he considered a brother, Roman officer Messala (Toby Kebbell). Director Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) is clearly more at home with the action scenes than the human drama, and his drive for a grittier telling of the story dampens its power somewhat. Rodrigo Santoro is almost too human as Jesus whose sacrifice underscores the thin line between love and hate. Morgan Freeman could have phoned in his performance as the impresario who steers Ben-Hur to revenge and redemption in a chariot, but Huston stands firm and some viewers may appreciate the brisk pace.

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Credits

Cast

rolename
Judah Ben-HurJack Huston
MessalaToby Kebbell
Sheik IlderimMorgan Freeman
EstherNazanin Boniadi
NaomiAyelet Zurer
JesusRodrigo Santoro
TirzahSofia Black-D'Elia
Pontius PilatePilou Asbaek
QuintusJames Cosmo

Crew

rolename
DirectorTimur Bekmambetov

Details

Theatrical distributor
Paramount
Released on
2016-09-07
Languages
English | Arabic | Latin | Greek | Persian
Guidance
Edited for violence.
Available on
DVD and Blu-ray
Formats
Colour
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