‘Ben-Hur’: From Silent Movie to Animation & to Sound Movie (II)

by Laura Lai/ Review

The animation movie (2003) is the adapted story of Ben-Hur for a young audience. The animated story is hosted by the actor Charlton Heston, who played in the 1959 ‘Ben-Hur’ film awarded with 11 Academy Awards. He does not play the role of the narrator of the story, but of the host inviting the audience to follow the animated version of the book ‘Ben-Hur: A Tale of The Christ’ by General Lew Wallace.

            Charlton Heston makes the introduction and the epilogue of the animated movie. From the introduction the viewers learn that it was in 1880 that the 1^st edition of General Lew Wallace was published and that it was the first American novel sold in more than one million copies.

This book was successfully adapted for both stage and film, including the silent movie and a musical. This says a lot about the quality of the textbook, which offers a great ground for adaptation for different mediums. And over time, too: from silent movie, to animation and to the sound movie. Its success says a lot about the emotion that the topic of this book brings to the public. In the epilogue of this animated movie, Charlton Heston reminds what it is said: ‘Ben-Hur brought millions to their feet to cheer and more millions to their knees to pray.’

This animated movie adapting the story of Judah Ben-Hur is centered on the biblical message of faith in God. It is the faith in God that is put in the historical context of the pagan Roman Empire in general and of the believer-in God occupied Jerusalem in particular. And it is about the faith in God of Judah Ben-Hur, descendant of the Hur Jewish prince family and of his family.

            The movie starts with one of the wise man following the star guiding them to the place Jesus of Nazareth was born and with the words ‘Have faith! God is with us.’ Joseph of Nazareth and Mary were back to Bethlehem, but were announced by an angel that their new born son was in great danger because all children under the age of 2 years old would be murdered, and that they must leave. Being an animated movie most probably addressing a young audience, the angels bringing a message, or the shining star guiding the wise men, as well as all representation of Jesus are done without metaphors. It makes the biblical message humanly depicted as in all cartoons with a biblical topic, but very clear for the young-aged audience’s understanding.

            Parallel to Jesus story, is the story of Judah and Messala, who did not see each other for five years. In the meantime, Messala became a Roman officer in the occupied Jerusalem, while Judah loved to study. He considered it a duty to continue his studies in the temple. He was tempted by Messala with the glory and the spirit of adventure, in order for him to enter the army. Money was not brought up as a temptation argument, as Judah Ben-Hur was already a wealthy prince. Although confused Judah seeked advice to his mother and to his sister – his only left family. His mother advised him to ‘Trust God and He will guide you’ and made him promise that ‘Whatever you do, you serve God’. His sister was also not very trilled about the idea of Judah joining the army and while they were having this conversation on the terrace of their house, a tile fell exactly when the Romans were escorting one of theirs – somebody hierarchically superior.

            Following this incident, Judah was sentenced to life in the galley by Messala; the mother and the sister of Judah locked in prison and their house once full of joy – a joy also shared by Messala raised by the Hur family – sealed like a tomb. In the galley Judah served 5 years, although no one survives more than 6 months, but as he acknowledged faith in God kept him alive. Judah became the adopted son of the fleet commander where he served as a slave and a Roman citizen fully aware of the laws and traditions of the Roman Empire, after having diligently studied them all for 3 years. He excelled in all competitions and his father was proud of him. However, his father’s wealth, his life in luxury and his own won prestige did not compensate for the lack of happiness in Judah’s heart. That is the reason why, Judah started searching for his mother and sister. At his return to Jerusalem, it is Balthazar – one of the wise man – who asked Judah to drive one of his chariots in the horse race. And this is the way Judah discovered that he would engage in a race against Messala. Following this race, Messala become a cripple and Judah found a former servant in his house, Esther – his wife to be. Through Esther, Judah found in the Valley of the Lepers, his mother and sister. They were under difficult prison conditions, to which nobody survives more than 3 years, but with the help of their faith in God, they survived 8 years and they were released being seriously ill. They kept faith of seeing Judah again and were encouraged to keep faith that they will also be cured by miracle, especially that Judah and Balthazar had faith in Jesus and were among those following Jesus all over the desert listening him preaching and seeing lepers being cured.

            The time period covered by the story of this animation movie ends with the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. The mother and the sister of Judah Ben-Hur are cured by their faith in God and Judah forgives the crippled Messala for all the harm done. The animation ends with Judah Ben-Hur telling children his story of faith in God, in order for them to tell it to the other generations to come.