In the Name of Ben-Hur
In the Name of Ben-Hur

Movie spotlight

In the Name of Ben-Hur

2016
Movie
90 min
English

A young gladiator enslaved in the Roman arena in 171 A.D. escapes by chariot towards the freedom of Hadrian's Wall. Fighting centurions and mercenaries along the way, he becomes a folk hero for all those struggling to fight Roman oppression.

Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes26%
Metacritic38/100
Google Users56%
Director: Timur BekmambetovGenres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sport

Plot Summary

Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince falsely accused of treason by his Roman stepfather, is betrayed and sent into slavery. Years later, he returns to Rome seeking vengeance against his former friend, Messala. His journey culminates in a perilous chariot race that will decide his fate and the fate of his people.

Critical Reception

The 2016 remake of 'Ben-Hur' was met with largely negative reviews from critics and a lukewarm response from audiences. While its visual spectacle and action sequences were sometimes noted, many found the film to be a pale imitation of the iconic 1959 original, criticizing its underdeveloped characters, rushed pacing, and lack of emotional depth. Box office performance was also disappointing.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually impressive action sequences, particularly the chariot race, are overshadowed by a weak narrative and character development.

  • Fails to capture the epic scope and emotional resonance of its predecessor.

  • Lacks the dramatic weight and theological depth that made the original a classic.

Google audience: Audience reviews indicate disappointment with the film's plot and characterizations, with many finding it an unnecessary remake. Some viewers appreciated the action, especially the chariot race, but overall sentiment leans towards it being a lackluster adaptation.

Fun Fact

The film's chariot race was shot with a mixture of practical effects, CGI, and advanced camera techniques to simulate the intensity of the original while offering a modern interpretation.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This is another one of those low-budget, dialogue heavy, movies that probably serves best as a training exercise for just about everyone before and behind the camera. Most of the technical folks behind seem to do adequately at presenting th...