mitchellyoung 08/04/2011 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Rating of
3.5/4 

The story is probably well-known, mostly because of the 1959 version, but, in my opinion, this film packs more of an emotional punch and is truer to the book. It is the most expensive silent film ever made and it shows. The sheer epic scale of crowd-filled scenes in the city and of the famous chariot race are impressive, even by today's standard.

Allison 08/07/2008 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Rating of
3.5/4 

A tale of Jewish Ben-Hur in decadent Rome. Francis X. Bushman plays his friend Messala, a Roman soldier with huge muscles! Wrapped into the story of Jesus, the tale Ben-Hur is not complete after the chariot race, because he still seeks to be reunited with his family after a long separation. The film was tremendous, and there were even some sequences in color! I was never crazy about the version that came after this, so it's amazing that I loved the silent version of this book. It is always a treat to see Ramon Novarro on screen!