Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) stands as MGM’s most ambitious and expensive silent film production, costing nearly $4 million ($71.5 million adjusted) and taking two years to complete. Director Fred Niblo crafted this adaptation of Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel with groundbreaking technical achievements, including the legendary chariot race filmed with 42 cameras simultaneously. Starring Ramón Novarro as Judah Ben-Hur and Francis X. Bushman as Messala, the film pioneered both two-strip Technicolor sequences and elaborate action spectacles. Join us—Pete Wright and Andy Nelson—as we continue the Cinema Centennial: 1925’s Pioneering Visions series with a member bonus conversation about Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

Pete and Andy dive deep into the film’s ambitious scope, from its innovative use of color to its massive action sequences. They particularly praise Ramón Novarro’s “dandyish” interpretation of Ben-Hur, contrasting it with Charlton Heston’s later portrayal. The hosts explore how the film balances its biblical elements with the personal revenge story, noting the careful handling of Jesus as a peripheral character.

The conversation turns sobering when discussing the film’s famous chariot race sequence, with Andy revealing the devastating toll on horses during production. Both hosts marvel at the technical achievement while acknowledging the problematic aspects of early Hollywood filmmaking practices.

Key discussion points include:

Pete and Andy reflect on how Ben-Hur set new standards for epic filmmaking while establishing legal precedents for literary adaptations in cinema. They discuss its enduring influence on biblical epics and action spectacles, noting its impressive box office success despite the expensive profit-sharing agreement with Erlanger.

We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel—when the movie ends, our conversation begins!