Let’s be honest it’s all been hype but very little return in the Summer Blockbuster cinema season , but now we’re in the last weeks of Summer could Autumn films save grace? It maybe a film that comes with an epic historical reputation , could Timur Belmambetov’s Ben-Hur deliver the goods? Paramount Pictures have shipped us over the film’s first official clip ‘You Should Have Killed Me‘ which brothers Judah and Messala face off in a chariot race of life and death. Like anything if your going to do anything…finish off the job! Watch the clip…
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.
[update – 9th August 2016] Paramount Pictures have sent us another short clip called ‘Chariot Race’ which gives us a glimpse of that heart-pounding race that made the original so famous.
I think we can say Paramount due to the historical significance of the 1959 original that starred Charlton Heston, 2016 is never going to match the landmark original. Going with a more subtle approach may just work in the film’s favour but still what we’ve seen so far those iconic scenes especially the chariot race will be there like a love letter to the original. We will give them praise as many big scale films tend to over do it on the green screens, this film has shown in previous video it has plenty old school action too. It’s a bold move especially when the director Bekmambetov known for his action thrillers and using green screens. If you don’t think he’s been serious, he has some serious writing power none other than John Ridley who won an Oscar for 12 Years A Slave.
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.
