‘Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ’ is celebrated for its grand spectacle, impressive sets, and realistic action sequences, especially the sea battle and chariot race. Early Technicolor use and emotional depth are highlighted.
Synopsis – An immediate box office smash, this silent masterpiece follows a Palestinian Jew who battles against the tyranny of the Roman Empire.
Production & Casting – With a cast of thousands, directed by Fred Niblo & produced by Kevin Brownlow and David Gill the movie stars Roman Novarro as Ben Hur, Betty Bronson, Frances X. Bushman and May McAvoy. It remains one of the most expensive silent films ever-produced & features a hair-raising chariot race that holds its own against today’s best action films.
Some notable crowd extras are John & Lionel Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Douglas Fairbanks, Lillian & Dorothy Gish, Harold Lloyd, Carole Lombard & Mary Pickford. Selected by the prestigious American Film Institute as one of the 400 best American films of all time. Inducted in the Library of Congress National Film Registry.
Doors & bar open at 11am. Coffee, tea, snacks & refreshments available. Movie starts at 12 noon. Tickets $15. No need to book, get your tickets at the door. Kids 13 and under free.
Film duration 141 minutes with intermission.