MovieChat Forums > Ben-Hur (1959) Discussion > the semi-visible Christ in this film

the semi-visible Christ in this film

posted 7 years ago by bastasch8647
11 replies | jump to latest

When I was a kid, I always wanted to see more of Claude Heater in the role of Jesus. I had access to a movie tie-in book and saw how JC was photographed in such a way as to never to reveal his facial features. When he's facing the camera in the "Ecce Homo" scene with Pilate, he is in the sunlight, but his face is darkened either by a technical process or by some off-screen hanging banner or something like it. The only time you get a chance of a good look is in the Via Dolorosa scene where Jesus is more or less center-screen and drops his cross. If you freeze-frame the film at this spot, you see that Heater was a good choice for the role. But without freeze-framing, you have to look fast.

But my attitude changed into the opposite in the following years...and based on the mostly complimentary posts here, I would guess that most viewers are satisfied with the film's brief glimpses of "the Christ"...

[–] TheButlerDidItYes 7 years ago

I love the way Jesus is treated in this movie. The same reverent way he is in The Robe, Quo Vadis? and Barabbas. He truly is the Son of God in these films.

And Ben-Hur is one of the few movies that makes me cry. Such as the Birth of Christ and giving of water scenes.

[–] bastasch8647 7 years ago

Yeah, that's right - he's never seen close-up in The Robe and Barabbas, etc. Seems there's a certain virtue for the no-close-ups policy in a certain kind of film...

[–] angmc43 7 years ago

And the 1925 version as well; I guess it all goes back to the 'Christ-shall-not-be-personated' compromise Klaw & Erlanger made to the religious Lew Wallace to get his OK to adapt BEN-HUR for the stage.

[–] jasonbourne (1027) 7 years ago

I've lost my mother and sister and the scenes at the end got to me. Was watching on DVD at the library and one man kept looking. Must've wondered what I was watching as I emoted along.

[–] BenignPillows 7 years ago

I think it's natural for a kid to want to see his face, but I really liked the decision to instead show other characters' reaction to it. The camera was focused on their faces instead, providing the basis for our imagination, and with the quality of acting in this movie...

I especially loved the scene where Jesus gives Judah water, then the Roman officer comes over to chase him away, but stops when he sees it's Jesus. There is this long shot of the officer's face, full of wonder, doubt, and fear.

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"The best fairytale is one where you believe the people" -Irvin Kershner

[–] bastasch8647 7 years ago

I really liked the decision to instead show other characters' reaction to it.

Nice point. The Ray Bradbury short story, The Man, presents Christ as a kind of planet-hopping Cosmic Savior who appears to different races/species as needed. But, although this Christ is seen by the planet's inhabitants, each of them describes him personally - it is not not just that they've seen him, but that they've seen him in their own way, as he appears to them individually. In this way, the reader sees Christ only through the planetary population's description of him - and the descriptions are mercurial because they are experienced so intensely subjectively. This scenario has some resonance with B-H's "faceless" Christ...

[–] jasonbourne (1027) 7 years ago

We all wanted to see his face, but it was a great way to show Jesus' influence on people. He doesn't speak either although we know what he said through the characters.

[–] Pmdmnym 7 years ago

Thanks, I'm going to freeze frame it, cuz I too always wanted to see what he looked like. But I also like how they kept it hidden cuz this is about Juda Ben-Hur and how his life was at the same time of Christ.

[–] bastasch8647 7 years ago

You're welcome. I was able to get a couple of screen caps of Jesus carrying the cross where his face is visible. You have to be kind of quick on the trigger to catch it!

[–] Pmdmnym 7 years ago

Watched it yesterday and yes, I got it! Very cool! Thanks again! :)

Wait! Wait! Where are you going? I was gonna make Espresso!

[–] bastasch8647 7 years ago

Congrats on the capture!

:)