Ben Hur Revisited

I wrote an entry on "Ben Hur" 3 years ago.  I still have not watched it again, though the time may well be prime to watch it with my kids.  Two years ago, we celebrated Easter in Southern California with my family, and we did not know then how significant it would be.  My father died two months later, leaving me with an emotional resonance during this holiday that has begun to supersede other holidays.  Dad loved this movie, so I think I will always associate this movie with Easter and with him.  I rejoice in the hope we have in the resurrection of Christ.  This movie can remind us of how great an impact Christ's life had on one family.  This is the type of impact He has on all those who follow Him.  Here's my entry:

I remember watching this movie every year growing up, and I always loved it.  Whether you are religious or not, the epic scope of the film and the wonderful story certainly carry the day.  The film tells the story of two young men: Judah Ben-Hur, a young Jew from Jerusalem, and his boyhood friend Masala, a loyal Roman soldier who attempts to recruit his old friend in an attempt to bring the Jewish people into allegiance with the Roman Empire.  When Judah refuses to turn his back on his faith and his people, Masala casts off any loyalty to his old friend, and allows his to suffer in an almost Job-like manner.  Most of the film is Judah's story of how he survives imprisonment to come back and seek his revenge on Masala.  All of this takes place at the same time that a young teacher from Nazereth is beginning to gain a following.

The Christ of this film is seen as a powerful moral example.  The filmmakers make a  decision of never showing his face, only shooting him from the back or from a distance.  This is a very effective portrayal of Christ.  One of the most powerful scenes in the film is a foreshadowing piece.  As Judah is being led off to imprisonment through the desert, he staggers and falls in weakness.  There, he is met by Christ, who gives him a miraculously endless supply of water.  Judah never forgets this act of kindness, and when he sees this same man who gave him water fall under the weight of a heavy cross near a well in Jerusalem, there is only one thing he can do.

The film preaches the power of Christ's teaching of forgiveness.  Judah has to learn what he should do to Masala in the face of horrible injustice.  The injustice that has been done to Judah is enormous, and Masala does deserve recompense.  The question Judah has to come to grips with as his bitterness increases is what is he to do with the teachings of this young man from Nazereth?  Should he hold onto his anger, or should he let it go before it consumes him?

As a Christian myself, it is always wonderful to see elements of my faith brought to the screen well.  It seems that many times, elements of the faith are brought to the screen that are far too didactic.  In other words, why make a movie when the filmmaker would rather just deliver a lecture?  It has been years since I have seen this film, and I noticed that a new Blu-Ray is on its way this fall...maybe it's time to take another look.  Happy Easter.