“BEN HUR.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20316, 26 January 1928, Page 13

“BEN HUR.”

“ Ben Hur,” the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, which was visited at London on 18 occasions by members of the Boyai Family, and which has been classed by the London Times as a “ screen miracle, will be seen for the first time in Dunedm at both the Empire and Octagon Theatres on the afternoon of Friday, February 3, with the first evening screening the same evening “Ben Hur” is attracting unprecedented crowds at Auckland, where the New Zealand Herald wrote: ‘ After its triumphant world tou r ‘ Ben Hur opened its Auckland season yesterday. Critics have used almost every word in the dictionary in lauding ‘ Ben Hur.’ All one can do is to endorse every comment made, and say that not one has been exaggerated. ‘ Ben Hur ’is magnificent. The immense expense involved in such productions as ‘ The Ten Commandments ’ and ‘ Intolerance ’ has been the principal factor in making them milestones in motion picture history. ‘ Ben Hur ’ excels either of these in every way—in massive sets, theme, cast, photography, and in its irresistible appeal to the emotions. It has carried the art of the silent drama to a stage which makes ordinary criticism and even description seem futile. Too oiten such stupendous productions of the screen have had the charge of ‘ mere spectacles ’ laid against them. To make such a charge against * Ben Hur ’ would be to ignore the wonderful story based on some of the most moving incidents in the New Testament, and the powerful character delineations of the leading players. The introductory scenes of the Nativity, showing the arrival of Mary and Joseph at Bethlehem, and the advent of the three wise men, are mostly done in technicolour, and so faithfully are they reproduced that they are reminiscent of the paintings of the old masters. The athletic scenes at Antioch are amazing. In the arena scene over a dozen four-horse chariots are seen speeding over the sand, pictured from every angle by the camera. No finer combination of sustained action and suspense has ever appeared on the screen.” “ Ben Hur ” will be preceded each evening by a fine prologue, “ The Star of Bethlehem,” and the original music score will be featured by the orchestra. Particulars of the box plans will be found in the advertising columns.