Ben-Hur New Featurettes Explore Morgan Freeman And Cinecitta Legacy

The arguments for the rights and wrongs of film remakes, what films deserve a second chance is old news. The focus should be on what these new versions can offer today’s cinephiles what the originals couldn’t, Ben-Hur is one of those films. Even if you haven’t seen the original 1959 Charlton Heston version, it’s an legendary Oscar winning film that helped in the birth of modern day style blockbusters.

Today we have 2 new behind the scenes featurettes, first up Is ‘Cinecitta Legacy‘ which explores the locations of the upcoming remake. First to Matera Southern Italy then to the legendary Cinecitta Studios in Rome where many scenes of the original film where filmed. Director Timur Bekmambetov discuses his desire to create an authentic set, that authentic many of back stage crew worked or have relations worked on the 1959 original.

In the next promo ‘Morgan Freeman‘, a short promo on the veteran actor and how he’ll bring the character of Ilderim to life on the big screen.

Ben-Hur is the epic story of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title, separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is forced into slavery. After years at sea, Judah returns to his homeland to seek revenge, but finds redemption. Based on Lew Wallace’s timeless novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

When you tackle a remake of a film like Ben-Hur which has such a rich/integral part of film history it can be a David Vs.Goliath task. If anything Bekmambetov will try to pay homage to the original whilst trying to leave his own mark on the film too. The film will be under intense pressure to succeed and with the review embargo about to be lifted the truth will be out there soon.

Ben-Hur has a new UK &Irish  release date which is now 7th September. The film also stars Morgan Freeman, Rodrigo Santoro Sofia Black D’Elia, Ayelet Zurer, Moisés Arias, Marwan Kenzari and Pilou Asbæk.