“BEN HUR.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20319, 30 January 1928, Page 10

“BEN HUR.”

On Friday next the Dunedin public will be given its first opportunity of seeing Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “ Royal Command ” picture “ Ben Hur,” at the Empire and Octagon Theatres. The success of “ Ben Hur ” is described as unprecedented; press and public applaud. Concerning it, the Christchurch Press of October 25 wrote: “So much has already been written regarding the motion picture version of ‘Ben Hur’ that to add anything further is almost as difficult as endeavouring to add another hue to the rainbow. Almost all the superlatives in the English language have been called into commission in an endeavour to give some idea < f the magnitude of this truly mighty screen production, but mere words cannot do justice to its magnificence —:t must be seen to be appreciated. ‘ Ben Hur ’ ia easily the greatest screen spectacle ever screened in a Christchurch theatre. Scenes which have never before been attempted by producers ace among the outstanding features of the production. It is possible to give some idea of a few of the big feature scenes. There is, for instance, a thrilling sea fight between a fleet, of Roman triremes and an equally large fleet of pirates. Then there ia the great chariot race between Ben Hur and Messala, the brutal Roman legionary. This is a marvellous piece of work, and holds the audience enthralled for quite a lengthy period. Of special interest arc the Biblical scenes, such as the Nativity, the entry of Christ into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the trial of Jesus by Pontius Pilate, and the Crucifixion. So reverently have these scenes been handled that no one could take the slightest exception to them; indeed, for the most part they are tableaux of some of the world’s greatest art masterpieces—the paintings of famous Italian, British, and Flemish masters. The story is almost too well known to call for any resume of it. Its basic themes are revenge and love—revenge on the Romans who despoiled the House of Hur, sent the young Judah ,to the galleys, and his mother and sister to_ a living death in prison. ‘Vengeance’ is the fierce prayer of Ben Hur. It is answered after many years in the circus at Antioch when the prince of Hur drives madly over the chariot of his enemy, the haughty Messala, to a vivid, glorious victory. As regards the cast, Ramon Novarro as Ben Hur has the best role of his career. Francis X. Bushman, _ as Messala, is a Roman; he simply lives, in arrogant, haughty manner, the lording spirit of that natefiil man; Simonides is perfectly played by Nigel de Brulier, Esther wistfully given by May M'Avoy, Joseph the Carpenter is portrayed with gravity and dignity by Mr Winter Hall, the brilliant actor from Christchurch, while the Mary °f Betty Bronson is a cameo of quiet cffacement and youthful dignity.”