Ben-Hur (William Wyler, 1959)

Damn straight the chariot race and the sea battle and the driving of the galley slaves are excitement incarnate. Would that they o'ercrowed the dialogue scenes which Wyler just could not get a handle on. Exhausted or overwhelmed with the project, he shoots far too many moments in establishing long takes. A simple shot-reverse shot becomes cause for celebration. Otto Preminger could have made such unintensified continuity sing. But alas, he was helming an infinitely superior project at the time. Running time: 3:42:27.

Grade: C-minus