Comparing Two Versions Of Ben-Hur's Version

Ben-Hur Review 1959 & 2017 version

In film-studies we watched two versions of Ben-Hur. There is some differences and similarities in the movies. 1959’s version Judah was played by Charlton Heston a decorated actor with tons of great movies. 2016’s version of Judah was acted by Jack Huston, he's had a lot less movies behind his repertoire. Messala is played by Stephen Boyd (1959) and Toby Kebbell (2016). Some of the differences are the content evolved with Jesus, the main characters, and the Sheik role.

First is the references of Jesus Christ and his faith. In the old version they never showed his face, compared to the newer version where he was more involved. In newer version showed his face. There was four more scenes with Jesus in the 2016 version. In the 2016 version there are a lot more references to the cross. Some examples are when he's at sea and lying on the sail, Measala being lifted up in the crowd and looking like a cross. That's just two examples of many in the 2016’s Ben-Hur. …show more content…
They are obviously different actors, but they have a different feeling about them. Measala in the 2016 version is more involved in the story, plus key things that happen to him in the 1959 version that doesn't even occur in 2016 version. In 2016’s Ben-Hur Judah (Jack Huston) is more boring or less exciting as when Charlton Heston played him. They also cut a lot scenes with Judah in 2016’s version, but he still has a lot of screen