Premium Only Content
The Freshman / College Days (1925) | Directed by Fred C. Newmeyer & Sam Taylor
Little Annie Rooney (1925) | Directed by William Beaudine
The Taming of the Shrew (1929) | Directed by Sam Taylor
The Ten Commandments (1923) | Directed by Cecil B. DeMille
The Black Watch (1929) | Directed by John Ford
Scaramouche (1923) | Directed by Rex Ingram
Alibi (1929) | Directed by Roland West
7th Heaven
Ben-Hur : A Tale of the Christ (1925) | Directed by Fred Niblo
The Letter (1929) | Directed by Jean de Limur
The General (1926) | Directed by Clyde Bruckman & Buster Keaton
The Last Command (1928) | Directed by Josef von Sternberg
The Cameraman (1928) | Directed by Edward Sedgwick and Buster Keaton
The King of Kings (1927) | Directed by Cecil B. DeMille
Leaves from Satan's Book (1921) | A silent film directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer
Ben-Hur : A Tale of the Christ (1925) | Directed by Fred Niblo
"Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ" is an epic silent film that follows the life of Judah Ben-Hur (Ramon Novarro), a young Jewish prince who faces betrayal and adversity, ultimately finding redemption through his encounters with Jesus Christ. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of ancient Rome, featuring chariot races, grand set pieces, and a tale of spiritual transformation.
"Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ" is a landmark silent film that was, in its time, one of the most expensive and ambitious productions ever made. Directed by Fred Niblo, the film boasts grandiose sets, intricate costume designs, and spectacular sequences, most notably the iconic chariot race.
Ramon Novarro's performance as Judah Ben-Hur is praised for its emotional depth and conviction. Francis X. Bushman's portrayal of Messala, Judah's childhood friend turned adversary, adds a layer of intensity to the film. The silent film era required actors to convey complex emotions through physical expression, and the cast excelled in this regard.
The film's visual achievements, including the chariot race sequence, remain impressive even by contemporary standards. The production design, set construction, and cinematography contribute to the film's epic scale. The 1987 reconstruction by film historian Kevin Brownlow with a newly composed score by Carl Davis helped reintroduce the film to modern audiences and restore its historical significance.
"Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ" is recognized not only for its technical and visual accomplishments but also for its place in cinematic history as a pioneering silent epic. While subsequent adaptations, including the famous 1959 version, are more widely known, the 1925 film laid the groundwork for the cinematic portrayal of Lew Wallace's classic novel and remains a testament to the artistry of silent filmmaking.
Director: Fred Niblo
Screenplay: June Mathis, Carey Wilson (based on the novel by Lew Wallace)
Produced by: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Starring: Ramon Novarro, Francis X. Bushman, May McAvoy, Betty Bronson
Cinematography: Clyde De Vinna, René Guissart
Music: William Axt (Original 1925 score), Carl Davis (1987 reconstruction)
Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Release Date: December 30, 1925 (United States)
Running Time: Approximately 143 minutes (1925 version), 143 minutes (1987 reconstruction)
Country: United States
Language: Silent film with English intertitles and Portuguese sub-titles
Cast:
- Ramon Novarro as Judah Ben-Hur
- Francis X. Bushman as Messala
- May McAvoy as Esther
- Betty Bronson as Mary
-
2:00:33
Classic Films & Movies Archive
1 day agoEdge of Darkness (1943) | Directed by Lewis Milestone
144 -
LIVE
LadyDesireeMusic
6 minutes agoLive Piano Music & Convo | Anti Brain Rot | Make Ladies Great Again | White Pill of the Day
22 watching -
LIVE
StoneMountain64
2 hours agoArc Raiders Making Money and LEVELING Up
54 watching -
LIVE
ReAnimateHer
4 hours agoNell’s Diner Is OPEN… For Your Final Meal
92 watching -
14:53
Neil McCoy-Ward
8 hours ago🇦🇺 Australian Censorship Chief SUMMONED For Questioning In USA!!! 🇺🇸
4525 -
LIVE
Badlands Media
14 hours agoMAHA News [11.21] CDC Changes Vaccine/Autism Website & Pharma Freaks, SNAP = Corporate Welfare
161 watching -
LIVE
The Jimmy Dore Show
10 minutes agoTrump Threatens to EXECUTE “Seditious” Dems! Mike Huckabee’s SECRET MEETING w/ Convicted Traitor!
709 watching -
1:23:31
DeVory Darkins
3 hours agoBRUTAL moment Jeffries HUMILIATED by CNBC host regarding Obamacare
155K57 -
1:03:10
The Quartering
3 hours agoThere's An OnlyFans For Pedos, SNAP Bombshell & Big Annoucement
27.6K35 -
2:24:29
The Culture War with Tim Pool
5 hours agoMAGA Civil War, Identity Politics, Christianity, & the Woke Right DEBATE | The Culture War Podcast
195K150