Samuel LoveThere are few films as epic as William Wyler’s Ben-Hur. Winning a record 11 Academy Awards – a feat that has only been matched twice since – the film had the largest budget, as well as the largest sets built, of any film produced at the time. Ben-Hur remains breathtaking in every way, and has long been one of the most highly-anticipated 4K UHD releases. Well, here it is, spread over two discs, and the wait has well and truly been worth it. One of the biggest films from the Golden Age of Hollywood, in all its glory on the best format, just in time for Easter. This is a very, very special release.
When Prince Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) hears that his childhood friend Messala (Stephen Boyd) has been named to command the Roman garrison of Jerusalem, he is thrilled. He soon finds, however, that his friend has changed and has become an arrogant conqueror, full of the grandeur of Rome. After Judah refuses to divulge the names of Jews who oppose Roman rule, Messala decides to make an example of him and sends him off as a galley slave. Through fate and good fortune, Judah survives the galleys and manages to return to Jerusalem in the hopes of finding his mother (Martha Scott) and sister (Cathy O’Donnell), who were also imprisoned, and to seek revenge against his one-time friend.
Ben-Hur has lost none of its power or spectacle – even now, almost 70 years later, the film is breathtaking in its scope and scale. One of the definitive Golden Age films, Ben-Hur just feels ‘big’. The ultra-wide 2.75:1 aspect ratio gives it a very prestige, cinematic feel while the enormity of the sets, the number of extras, and the majesty of the production design pulls you into its world. There’s truly nothing else like it. And in 4K UHD, all of this is magnified to a new level and the film’s grandeur feels more impactful than ever before.
4K UHD has seen some real reference discs in recent years – especially classics like this, in Lawrence of Arabia and The Searchers to name a couple – but Ben-Hur sets a new standard. With an impeccable level of detail and awe-inspiring definition, this disc truly feels like you’re projecting a pristine 65mm print right in your home. Dolby Vision elevates the presentation further, adding richness and depth to the film’s vibrant and regal colours. And on a technical level, the transfer is flawless. There are no visible compression issues and no signs of digital interference. This is nothing short of an absolutely breathtaking visual experience. As for audio, a new Dolby Atmos track offers an immersive, dynamic listening experience while the existing DTS-HD MA 5.1 track remains a great alternative. This is the new reference disc to show off your system.
Ben-Hur remains one of the biggest and best films of not just the 1950s, but all of cinema history. Whether you are a fan of biblical epics or not, Ben-Hur is a truly essential film and a prime example of old-school Hollywood movie-making magic. And on this 4K UHD release, it has never looked – or indeed sounded – better. An early contender for the best release of the year.
BEN-HUR is available on 4K UHD from Warner Bros
