The film "Ben-Hur" is a remake of the canonical Hollywood film project about Israel since Jesus Christ.
A new version
Many compatriots Timur Bekmambetov, a Russian-Kazakh director, is familiar with the film adaptations of the two parts of The Watch. The director also often works in Hollywood. The most famous of his works, shot in the West, is an interesting action movie "Especially Dangerous" with Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy in the lead roles. In addition to this magnificent picture, on the account of the director there are many worthy works, where he performed as a director or producer. His last project is called Ben-Hur, who he is and what he is famous for - Timur Bekmambetov talks in an accessible form. But the older generation of moviegoers do not need special explanations, they already had the opportunity to view the story that underlies the scenario of the Russian-Kazakhstani director. The brainchild of Bekmambetov is a remake of the 1959 film of the same name by William Wyler, who blew up the world of cinema and earned 11 Academy Award.
Literary source
Before William Wyler, the American politician Lew Wallace published a literary novel in 1880, the main character of which was Ben-Hur. Who this is, what he became famous for, Wallace described in great detail. This literary source has already inspired two directors for the film adaptation. Having a rather cool source material (a novel and an original film), Bekmambetov had only to adapt it a little to modern cinema standards and present a new masterpiece to the audience. But alas, something went wrong, Ben-Hur, the film of 2016, has an IMDb rating of 5.70, and there can be no talk of receiving the Oscars. The unfortunate shortcomings of the production, the ill-conceived scenario moves, the unconvincing charisma of the stars do not allow Bekmambetov’s creation to claim the same level at which Wyler’s work is still located.
Plot
For all people who want to understand who Ben-Hur was, who they are and why they write novels and make films about his personality, the picture of 2016 should be recommended for immediate viewing.
The story unfolds at the beginning of our era in the Roman Empire. Raised in a wealthy Jewish family, the Roman orphaned boy Messala (Toby Kebbell) often competed in chariot races with his stepbrother Judah (Jack Houston), and his half-sister Tirzana (Sophia Black D'Elia) did not love brotherly love. At this moment, the viewer hears the name Ben-Hur for the first time. Who is this and what is its significance in this story, it becomes clear further in the narrative.
Having decided to succeed, Messala enlisted in the army and returned to his native land three years later in the officer rank. He expects his named brother, Prince Judah Ben-Hur, to help him crack down on Jewish rebels. However, he does not support the returning brother, taking the side of the rebels, he gives shelter to the wounded young rebel. When a procession of representatives of the nobility passes by his house, a rebel from a bow mortally wounds the procurator Pontius Pilate (Pilu Asbek). Conducting an investigation in hot pursuit, Messala sentenced the Ben-Hurov family to execution, and Judah to slavery in galleys for life. Judah promises to return and avenge his named brother, and five years later he keeps his promise.
Cast
The film "Ben-Gur", the actors and roles of which are qualitatively matched to each other, has a pretty good cast. In the list of actors, the presence of Morgan Freeman, who plays the secondary role of a sheikh, is immediately evident. It is not known by what criteria the actor chooses films for himself, but his presence in Ben-Hur clearly decorates the picture. The main roles were played by Toby Kebbell ("Warcraft") and Jack Houston ("Underground Empire"). By the way, Jack Houston initially auditioned for the role of Messala, but as a result embodied the image of Ben-Hur. Exactly the same situation happened with Charlton Heston, the lead actor in the 1959 movie. The beloved protagonist was supposed to be played by Israeli movie star Gal Gadot, but at the last moment, the actress refused the offers of the producers, preferring the image of Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman. Her place was taken by a native of Iran, the beautiful actress Nazanin Boniadi.