EXCELLENT IN EVERY DETAIL

Evening Star, Issue 21130, 16 June 1932, Page 7

EXCELLENT IN EVERY DETAIL

‘BEN HUB' FOR ST. JAKES ‘Bon Jiur,' which opens to-morrow at the St. Janies, is a great picture. The magnitude of the crowd scenes, the realism of the sea battle, and the thrills of the chariot race are wonderful. The picture deals with the rule of the Romans in the Holy Land. The first great spectacle is the progress of the Jewish people to their home towns in order that they may be taxed. Thousands of people are seen moving through the •streets, using any means of transport available. Camels, asses, and carts, all are pressed into service for the journey. The scenes in the market places are remarkable. Ramon Novarro, as Bon Hur, is a splendid physical type, but Francis X. Bushman, his rival, Alessala, is oven better. For accidentally killing the new governor, Grains, Ben Hur is sentenced to the galleys. Because of his spirit ho is allowed to row without chains when pirates are sighted. The whips crack, the slaves row faster, and the vessels lurch forward to battle with the pirates. The deadly battering rams make huge holes in the sides of the Roman galleys and the water pours in. Seizing an axe, Ben Hur joins in the battle. Such u realistic battle has seldom been pictured ou the screen. Beu Hur saves the life of the Roman commander, who adopts him. He becomes an athletic champion, a. great driver of chariots, and as such he takes part in the rvorld-famed race with Alessala, which provides another remarkable feature of the Him. It is a long picture, with the black and white, occasionally relieved by stretches of magnificently coloured film. Another valuable addition is the sound synchronisation. The murmuring of the crowds, the blare of trumpets, and the noise of battle are brought out very well, and, with the music, add to the greatness of an already wonderful picture. There will be an excellent supporting programme.