LBS 703
Ben-Hur Study Guide
Ben-Hur (1925)
Released by MGM|
Director: Fred Niblo
Screenwriters: Bess Meredyth, Carey Wilson, June Mathis
By the mid-1920s, it was not unusual for a major studio to undertake an epic spectacle. Indeed, a certain quantity of them was expected. And the newly-christened Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer had the resources to tackle even the biggest of epics. Even so, the production of the film adaptation of General Lew Wallace’s popular novel Ben-Hur placed a serious strain on the studio for a number of reasons, not least of which was a disastrous location shoot in Italy, very little of which resulted in usable footage. Ultimately the company was recalled to California and the project was begun again, almost from scratch. The project ended up costing $4 million dollars (equivalent to $53 million in 2013) and fell short of breaking even by $1 million, but the studio was content to accept it as a loss leader, given the prestige it brought to the MGM name.
To what extent does the film depend on action sequences to sustain audience interest and to what extent does it depend on characterization?
To what extent are the characterizations stereotyped?
Are the Romans portrayed as uniformly villainous?
The full title is Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. In what sense can it be said to be a tale of the Christ?
Messala seems to be set up as the antagonist, but he dies midway through the film. How is a conflict sustained after Messala’s death?
How do the action sequences compare to other films of the period? (A Douglas Fairbanks action picture, for example.)
How would you describe the acting style? Is it appropriate to the subject matter and scope of the film?
How does the film portray Jesus? Why do you think this was done?
How does the film make use of Technicolor?
What is the film’s attitude toward Christianity? Toward Judaism?