Ben-Hur. Who is this, Timur Bekmambetov's film

The film "Ben-Hur" is a remake of the canonical Hollywood film project about Israel in the time of Jesus Christ.

A new version

To many compatriots Timur Bekmambetov, a Russian-Kazakh filmmaker, is familiar with the screen versions of the two parts of Dozor. The producer also works quite often in Hollywood. The most famous of his work, shot in the West, is an interesting action movie "Particularly dangerous" with Angelina Jolie and James McEvoy in the lead roles. In addition to this magnificent picture, the account of the director has many worthy works, where he acted as a director or producer. His last project is called "Ben-Hur", who it is and what it is famous for - Timur Bekmambetov tells in an accessible form. But the older generation of kinomanov special explanations are not needed, they already had the opportunity to view the history, which is the basis for the scenario of the Russian-Kazakh director. The brainchild of Bekmambetov is a remake of the 1959 film of the same name by William Wyler, who blew up the world of cinema and earned 11 Oscars.

Literary source

Before William Wyler, American politician Lew Wallace in 1880 published a literary novel, the main character of which was Ben-Hur. Who is this, what is famous, Wallace described in great detail. This literary source inspired already two directors on the screen version. Having quite a cool initial material (novel and original film), Bekmambetov had only little to adapt it to modern standards of cinema and present a new masterpiece to the audience. But alas, something went wrong, "Ben-Hur", a film in 2016, has an IMDb rating of 5.70, and it can not go about getting an Oscar. The annoying shortcomings of the production, the ill-conceived scenarios, the unconvincing charisma of the stars do not allow Bekmambetov's creation to claim the same level as that of Wyler's work.

Plot

To all people who want to understand who Ben-Hur was, who it is and why they write novels about his personality and make films, the picture of 2016 should be recommended for immediate viewing.

The narrative unfolds at the beginning of our era in the Roman Empire. Raised in a wealthy Jewish family, the Roman orphan Messala (Toby Kebbell) in his youth often competed in chariot races with his half-brother Judah (Jack Huston), and his half-sister Tirzanu (Sophia Black El-Elia) loved by no means brotherly love. At this moment, the audience first hears the name Ben-Hur. Who is this and what is its significance in this story, becomes clear further on the narrative.

Having decided to succeed, Messala enlisted in the army and returned to his native land three years later in an officer's rank. He counts on his brother, Prince Jude Ben-Hur, to help him deal with the Jewish rebels. However, he does not support the returning brother, taking the side of the rebels, he gives shelter to the wounded young rebel. When a procession of representatives of the nobility passes by his house, the riot of the onion mortally wounded the procurator Pontius Pilate (Pyla Asbek). While conducting the investigation in hot pursuit, Messala sentenced the Ben-Gurov family to death, and Judah to slavery on the galleys for a life sentence. Judah promises to return and take revenge on his brother, and five years later he keeps his promise.

Cast

The film "Ben-Hur", the actors and roles of which are qualitatively matched to each other, has quite a good performing staff. The list of actors immediately catches the eye of the presence of Morgan Freeman, performing a secondary role of the sheikh. It is not known by what criteria the actor chooses films for himself, but his presence in "Ben-Gure" uniquely adorns the picture. The main roles were played by Toby Kebbell ("Warcraft") and Jack Houston ("Underground Empire"). By the way, Jack Houston initially auditioned for the role of Messala, but as a result embodied the image of Ben-Góra. Exactly the same situation happened to Charlton Heston, the main character in the movie in 1959. The beloved of the protagonist was supposed to be played by the Israeli movie star Gal Gadot, but at the last moment the actress refused the offer of the producers, preferring the image of the Wonder Woman in "Batman vs. Superman". Her place was taken by a native of Iran, a beautiful actress Nazanin Boniadi.