MovieChat Forums > Ben-Hur (1959) Discussion > MY FAVORITE SCENE

MY FAVORITE SCENE

posted 9 years ago by snsurone
9 replies | jump to latest

Yes, the sea battle and the chariot race were excellently made scenes, I have to confess that my favorite scene was the final one, where Judah slowly ascends the staircase, an expression of stunned amazement on his face, as he sees his mother and sister miraculously cured of leprosy.
This scene is all the more haunting because of the Miklos Roczsa (sp?) score in the background.
I guess I just love a happy ending in movies--especially epics--as long as they aren't forced or phony.

[–] cfwente 9 years ago

One of my favorites, too. Heston's best moment (in any film), I think.

[–] bardmore 9 years ago

Hard to choose a favorite scene in this glorious film. But, YES! that final scene is indescribably moving, and the four characters radiate an ethereal luminosity that is amazing! The look on the lovely Martha Scott's face makes her the Mother for the Ages.

[–] Lifesabeach (26) 5 years ago

There are many special scenes in this movie. I have seen it probably 10 times at least including the first time at the Music Box theatre in downtown Portland when it was first released and your seat was assigned on your ticket at the box office. My friend and I got 2 of the last seats but in the second row! Good at a concert, kind of overwhelming for an epic movie but I was only 8 so it didn’t matter, not like it would now.
Re Martha Scott as Mother. She played Bob’s mom on the Bob Newhart Show. And many other roles including Charltons mother in the 10 Commandments. Guess she had that mother persona.

[–] Pmdmnym 8 years ago

I agree 100%! I cry every single time!!!! So beautiful and happy!

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

[–] d_green_maverick 8 years ago

it's a tie.

one is the first time Judah met Jesus and the other is the last time they met except on opposite situations. pretty much the two scenes that made me remember Ben-Hur. sure the sea battle and chariot race were amazing, but nothing beats those two scenes for me.

[–] movie80 8 years ago

I also liked the scene where Ben Hur checked every single place (of that isolated area) looking for his mom and sister, and the rowing scene.

By the time they made that movie, they didn't dare to film the face of Jesus. My dad took me and my siblings to the theater to see the movie, I was very little then, and today I still remember how I felt when I saw, to me He was real, not in a movie.

As for CGI, CGI is not always good. For details like the amputated veteran in Forest Gump, then CGI is obviously needed and does a good job, but the CGI-ed collapsing houses and dust and wind, I don't find them very good.

[–] d_green_maverick 8 years ago

I never really liked poorly made CGI movies or shows. as they seem fake in terms of texture, face and movements. although there are a few exceptions that I really like but I would still prefer if the films used practical/mechanical effects if not alone but in cohesion with CGI. now those type would really make an amazing and quite believable film.

[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

The chariot race, of course!

[–] angelosdaughter (158) 5 years ago

That is why I prefer the Kirk Douglas-Lawrence Olivier 'Spartacus' over 'Gladiator'. "Gladiator has so much CGI that it is hard to suspend disbelief.