“Ben Hur: The Epic Miniseries Event” was quite entertaining. Not to be compared to the previous film adaptations or even the original story, on its own, with the amount of characters and the focus of relationships around Judah Ben Hur, there is enough difference with this mini-series to make it still exciting and enjoyable for viewers.
Image courtesy of © 2010 Drimtim Entertainment S.A., Pontius Pilate Productions (Muse) Inc. and ZAK Productions S.A.R.L. All Rights Reserved.
DVD TITLE: Ben Hur: The Epic Miniseries Event
FILM RELEASE DATE: 2010
DURATION: 192 Minutes
DVD INFORMATION: 1:78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English, English SDH, French
COMPANY: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
RATED: Not Rated
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Directed by Steve Shill
Written by Alan Sharp
Producer: Roger Corbi, Simon Vaughan
Executive Producer: Dirk Beinhold, Manuel Corbi, Frank Konigsberg, Michael Prupas, Steve Shill, David Wyler
Co-Producer: Zakari Alaoui
Behind-the-Scenes Producer: Betty Palik
Music by Rob Lane
Cinematography by Ousama Rawi
Edited by Annie Ilkow, Simon Webb
Casting by Amy Hubbard, Daniel Hubbard, Andrea Kenyon, Randi Wells
Production Design by Benjamin Fernandez
Art Direction by Alejandro Fernandez, Marco Trentini
Set Decoration by Deborah Chambers, Nuria Muni
Costume Design by Simonetta Mariano
Starring:
Joseph Morgan as Judah Ben-Hur
Stephen Campbell Moore as Messala
Emily Van Camp as Esther
Kristin Kreuk as Tirzah
Ben Cross as Emperor Tiberius
Simon Adreu as Simonides
Alex Kingston as Ruth
James Faulkner as Marcellus
Art Malik as Ilderim
Marc Warren as David
Lucia Jiminez as Athene
Miguel Angel Munoz as Antegua
Kris Holden-Ried as Gaius
Michael Nardone as Horator
Eugene Simon as Young Ben Hur
Toby Marlow as Young Messala
Daniella Ereny as Young Tirzah
In this new adaptation of the colossal classic, Ben Hur the mini-series delivers more action, passion and revenge than ever before. The timeless story follows two friends who become bitter enemies and the historic events of the time as told through the eyes of Judah Ben-Hur. Born a wealthy Jewish merchant’s son, he is destined to live many lives: a powerful businessman, a dutiful slave, a fierce gladiator, a Roman nobleman, and finally…a conquering hero. This extraordinary adventure-filled saga is the historic epic for a new generation.
In 2010, a Canadian TV miniseries based on Len Wallace’s 1880 novel “Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ” was created.
Originally aired during the week of Easter in Canada followed by an airing in ABC in 2010, the mini-series is directed by Steve Shill (“Dexter”, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”) and written by Alan Sharp (“Rob Roy”, “The Osterman Weekend”, “Night moves”).
The mini-series would star Joseph Morgan (“Immortals”, “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”, “Alexander”), Stephen Campbell Moore (“The Bank Job”, “Season of the Witch”, “The History Boys”), Emily Van Camp (“Brothers & Sisters”, “Revenge”, “Everwood”), Kristin Kreuk (“Smallville”, “Eurotrip”, “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li”), Ben Cross (“Star Trek”, “Chariots of Fire”), Simon Andreu (“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”, “Die Another Day”), Alex Kingston (“Dr. Who”, “ER”, “Like Crazy”) and James Faulkner (“Bridget Jones’ Diary”, “The Bank Job”, “X-Men: First Class”).
“Ben Hur: The Epic Miniseries Event” revolves around Judah Ben Hur (portrayed by Joseph Morgan), a hardworking son of a wealth merchant. Also, a son living with his mother Ruth (portrayed by Alex Kingston) and his younger sister Tirzah (portrayed by Kristin Kreuk) and lived with Octavius Messala (portrayed by Stephen Campbell Moore). Living with them was Octavius Messala, raised by the Ben Hur family after his mother died.
When he became a teenager, Octavius was sent a letter that he would have to follow his father’s footsteps as a Roman officer.
Fast forward many years later, Judah is engaged to marry Esther (portrayed by Emily Van Camp). In the village, a few people included Simonides (portrayed by Simon Andreu) are planning for a rebellion and to assassinate Valerius Gratus, the fourth Roman prefect of Judaea. For Octavius, because a Roman prefect is in his village, he must make sure that everything goes smooth.
While the two friends are excited to reunite with each other, Judah sees how much Octavius has changed and not for the good. Octavius wants Judah’s word that if he hears any uprising in the village, to please let him know. And Judah gives him his word.
While the Romans along with Pontius Pilate were marching into town, a tile that Judah’s hands were on, has broken off, falls and injures Valerius. Because this is an embarrassment to his post, Octavius declares the accident as an assassination attempt.
Judah and his fiance’s father is sent to be crucified and his mother and sister would be punished and made as an example by strangulation. But Octavius feels guilty and has Judah sent to be slave working on the oars on a Roman ship.
While working on the ship, Judah catches the attention of Arrius, the captain of the Roman warship, with his intelligence. Arrius has Judah join him and to tell him is life story of why a man of intelligence is a slave. During a battle with Greek pirates, nearly everyone is killed except Judah who saves Arrius. Grateful for Judah saving his life, Arrius takes Judah as his own personal salve, has him trained as a warrior. But still suffering from his wounds that he endured from the attack against the pirate ship, Arrius decides to adopt Judah and make him a free man but also a Roman citizen who will carry on his name and inherit his wealth.
Now a free man and a Roman, Judah Ben Hur plans his revenge to kill the man that ruined his life and for killing his family, Octavius Messala.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
“Ben Hur: The Epic Miniseries Event” is presented in 1:78:1 anamorphic widescreen. Picture quality is good as one can expect form DVD.  There is softness, outdoor scenes shot in Morocco look the best but there are scenes that are incredibly dark at times, but it fits, considering there was no electricity during that time. So, dark scenes are going to be a bit dark. There is also some use of CG in the film (especially in scenes that take place in sea).
For the most part, picture quality is good, I didn’t notice any excessive artifacts or any problematic issues during my viewing.
Audio is presented in English and French 5.1 Dolby Digital. Dialogue is clear and while a dialogue driven film, there are scenes with crowds and surround usage featuring ambiance.
Subtitles are in English, English SDH and French.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Ben Hur: The Epic Miniseries Event” comes with the following special feature:
- The Making of Ben Hur – (7:10) Featuring the making of “Ben Hur: The Epic miniseries Event” with interviews with director Steve Shill, executive producer David Wyler and the cast of the series.
It would be too difficult to follow up the 1959 Charleston Heston classic “Ben Hur” with a new film, despite many adaptations, the producers wanted to try something different with “Ben Hur” in a mini-series format.
While the message and the scenario of a Jewish man oppressed by the Romans and betrayed by his best friend remain the same, for the mini-series, the biggest change is that the series is taking place in a small village in Jerusalem and with more characters. But to also further explore the relationship between Judah and Octavius but to also incorporate more scenes with other characters.
And of course being a television mini-series, a focus about a good man who had bad things happen to him, so now his thirst for revenge is strong, despite his meeting up with Jesus Christ. Eventually, the story is one man’s drive for revenge but later seeking for forgiveness and believing in God.
While the mini-series shares more in common with the film and some parts of the novel that it’s based on, because of the longer duration of the mini-series, it allowed for more exploration of Judah as a man and the things he must go through in order to get back home. But also the emotions of a man and also a scene which involves his mother Ruth and sister Tirzah. But also much more emotion when it comes to Judah and Octavius.
For those who have watched the 1959 or even the old silent version of “Ben Hur”, one should not expect a large budget or extravagant production costume and production design, but the film does look good especially keeping things minimal. Granted, the chariot race is nothing like the film versions but in some way, I was expecting for the mini-series to be not as elaborate as the film versions.
As for casting, I know that the series, like previous films are not going to make the characters look like they are from the region. And in the case of the mini-series, there is no doubt that they wanted to utilize young talent to bring in new (and possibly younger) generation of viewers who may watch the series. Joseph Morgan looks more European than Jewish but yet, he has the vitality of a young man who has been put through a wide variety of situations.
The series also features well-known US drama series actresses Emily Van Camp and Kristin Kreuk. But also talent such as Ben cross, Alex Kingston, James Faulkner, Stephen Campbell Moore.
While the series was shown on television, this DVD version is uncut and is not a version you want to have the children watching. Not only is their violence, there is also a sex scene between Judah and Messala’s whore, and also nudity.
Overall, “Ben Hur: The Epic Miniseries Event” was quite entertaining. Not to be compared to the previous film adaptations or even the original story, on its own, with the amount of characters and the focus of relationships around Judah Ben Hur, there is enough difference with this mini-series to make it still exciting and enjoyable for viewers.
