Why Ben-Hur Still Looks Like a Trillion Bucks

Summary

Ben-Hur (1959) remains one of the most monumental films in cinematic history, blending technical innovation and artistic vision. With its groundbreaking use of Ultra Panavision 70, the film's expansive visuals set a new standard for epic filmmaking. Director William Wyler and cinematographer Robert Surtees created a film that immerses audiences in its vast sets and intricate details, while exploring themes like salvation and sacrifice. The famous chariot race, groundbreaking sound design, and incredible production scale contributed to the film’s success. Ben-Hur not only saved MGM but redefined the potential of film as a grand spectacle, leaving a legacy still unmatched today.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ben-Hur remains one of the greatest films ever made, setting a monumental standard for epic filmmaking even 66 years later.
• 😀 The film's massive, immersive cinematography was achieved with a custom 70mm camera system, MGM Camera 65, designed to deliver the most epic visual experience.
• 😀 Director William Wyler and cinematographer Robert Surtees overcame challenges with depth of field, lighting, and framing, using techniques like diagonal framing and deep focus.
• 😀 The use of 65mm film stock with a low light sensitivity required extremely careful lighting, often with an aperture between T5.6 and T11.
• 😀 The film's outdoor sets in Rome, combined with large diffusion screens, gave the visuals a painterly and natural look, capturing up to 8K resolution for stunning detail.
• 😀 Water is used as a powerful symbol throughout the film, representing both physical and spiritual salvation, especially in relation to the character of Christ.
• 😀 The famous 9-minute chariot race was a technical marvel, involving three cameras on moving car rigs and multiple close-up shots to capture its chaos and intensity.
• 😀 Ben-Hur had a colossal production scale, including hundreds of camels, thousands of horses, and tens of thousands of extras, creating an unprecedented spectacle.
• 😀 Despite a chaotic production, no cast or crew members lost their lives, aside from one producer, Sam Zimbalist, who died of a heart attack during filming.
• 😀 The film's soundtrack, composed by Miklós Rózsa, added emotional depth, with powerful themes that resonated especially during the crucifixion scene, making the second climax as impactful as the first.

Q & A

Why did MGM choose a wider aspect ratio for Ben-Hur?

MGM chose a wider aspect ratio to create an epic spectacle, as widescreen formats were popular in the 1950s and could attract audiences to theaters. The film utilized the MGM Camera 65 system, leading to a breathtaking 2.76:1 aspect ratio, designed to enhance the visual experience.

What challenges did the filmmakers face when shooting Ben-Hur in Ultra Panavision 70?

The filmmakers faced numerous challenges, including the low light sensitivity of the film stock (ASA 25), which required shooting in intense light conditions. Additionally, the custom-designed lenses used for the 70mm format were expensive and difficult to handle, making filming highly labor-intensive.

How did director William Wyler and cinematographer Robert Surtees overcome the limitations of the Ultra Panavision format?

They overcame these limitations by carefully composing scenes that balanced the foreground and background. They used deep focus, long takes, and diagonal framing to add depth, while managing light sensitivity issues with meticulous lighting and exposure settings.

Why was the chariot race sequence in Ben-Hur so significant in film history?

The chariot race is one of the most electrifying action scenes in film history due to its scale, intensity, and innovative filmmaking techniques. It involved multiple cameras on moving rigs and had to be filmed at breakneck speeds, with meticulous planning for both wide and close-up shots to maximize dramatic impact.

What role did sound design play in the chariot race sequence?

Sound design played a crucial role in enhancing the intensity of the chariot race. The sound of the life-sized dummies being trampled under the chariots, combined with the thunderous noise of the race, adds a visceral, immersive quality to the scene.

How did the Ultra Panovision 70 format influence the visual style of the film?

The Ultra Panovision 70 format allowed for incredible resolution and clarity, capturing massive outdoor sets, costumes, and performances in lifelike detail. It also facilitated wide, expansive shots, enhancing the epic scope of the film.

What symbolic meaning does water carry in Ben-Hur?

Water in Ben-Hur symbolizes salvation, appearing at critical moments when characters are either physically or spiritually parched. It is especially significant in the final miracle, where water represents the ultimate act of salvation through Christ.

What was the budget of Ben-Hur and how did it impact the film industry?

Ben-Hur had a massive budget of $15 million (about $200 million today), making it the largest-budgeted film of its time. Its success helped save MGM from bankruptcy and set a high standard for epic filmmaking in Hollywood, especially in an era when television was threatening the cinema industry.

How did the film's production manage its vast scale and resources?

The production was highly organized, with careful planning and coordination across three separate units. It involved large outdoor sets in Rome, thousands of extras, and the use of hundreds of camels and horses. The crew was dedicated to achieving perfection, with William Wyler overseeing every detail.

What were the challenges of editing Ben-Hur given its scale and length?

Editing Ben-Hur was a significant challenge due to its massive scale and the sheer amount of footage shot. The initial cut was over four hours long, which had to be trimmed down while maintaining the film's grand epic feel. The final version included an overture and intermission, creating a unique cinematic experience.