Did Charlton Heston actually drive the horses in Ben-Hur?
These white horses were to be driven by the picture’s star, Charlton Heston, and had to be instructed to rear while hooked to the chariot for the added realism of horses in a frenzy during the race. At the end of the race in the film they perform a jumping stunt that is quite spectacular.
How did they film the race scene in Ben-Hur?
Bekmambetov (“Wanted”) used GoPro cameras to give the 10-minute stunt-filled sequence a visceral feel. For the Italian film shoot, a giant set was built to film the chariot sequence, which used eight teams of four horses each for the race.
How many horses died during the making of Ben-Hur?
100 horses
“Ben-Hur” (1959) But according to film historians, as many as 100 horses were killed during the production of the iconic film. The second-unit director of “Ben-Hur” reportedly ordered horses be shot and killed “if they limped,” without seeking veterinary care.
Why is Jesus face blacked out in Ben-Hur?
In the 1959 movie version of Ben Hur the character of Jesus Christ was played by the late American actor Claude Heater. He was not included in the credits for the movie. All the shots of Heater in the film showed him facing away from the camera as it was decided not to show his face in the film.
Was the chariot race real in Ben-Hur?
A total of 18 Roman chariots were built; half of them went to Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd. Both actors had to spend long hours training to learn to ride the chariots.
How many horses were injured in Ben-Hur?
Nearly two hundred horses were used during the filming of the chariot race scene in the 1925 Fred Niblo film, Ben-Hur. Fortunately, it was reported that not a single horse was injured (“Forty-two” 405).
Is there a Ben-Hur in the Bible?
The name Ben-Hur does make a brief appearance in the Bible, although it doesn’t seem to have any literary connection to the novel and films’ titular character. In First Kings 4:1-19, there’s a list of 12 district governors appointed by Solomon during his reign as King of Israel—and Ben-Hur was one of them.
Was the tiger in Life of Pi abused?
“The tiger, King, was never harmed and did not ‘nearly drown’ during the production,” a spokesman told the Hollywood Reporter. “We take on-set safety very seriously and take every precaution necessary to ensure that no one – animal or human – is harmed during the production of our films.”
Who trained the horses in Ben-Hur?
Jack Huston (who plays Ben-Hur) and Toby Kebbell (as his rival brother Messala) trained for months to ride the actual chariots behind four moving horses — hitting speeds as high as 38 mph.
How long did it take to film the chariot scene in Ben-Hur?
five weeks
In all, the chariot scene took five weeks (spread over three months) to film at a total cost of $1 million and required more than 200 miles (320 km) of racing to complete. Two of the $100,000 70mm lenses were destroyed during the filming of the close-up shots.
What were the names of the four white horses in Ben-Hur?
Sheikh Ilderim and Judah pronounce the name of the Sheikh’s chariot horse “REEGH-el,” as though it were from the Latin, with a hard “g.” The four horses, as the Sheikh, are “named for the stars,” and all those names — Aldebaran, Altair, Antares and Rigel — are Arabic names for these particularly bright stars that are …
Where was Ben-Hur filmed?
Rome, Lazio
Ben-Hur was shot in Rome, Lazio, Italy. Filming also took place at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios in California, USA. Rome, Italy.
How many minutes is Ben Hur?
Ben-Hur never gives up trying to find his family or exact revenge on Messala. At crucial junctures in his life, he also crosses the path of Jesus, and each time he benefits from it. The highlight of the film’s 212 minutes is its now-legendary chariot race, staged largely by stunt expert Yakima Canutt.
Is the 1925 Ben Hur available on DVD?
Best of all, the 1925 BEN-HUR is available on DVD today, complete with original Technicolor sequences, and is shown frequently on Turner Classic Movies. Here is an original glass slide that was projected onto movie screens to advertise the film:
What is Ben-Hur?
Ben-Hur was an 1899 theatrical adaption of the novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1880) by Lew Wallace. The story was dramatized by William W. Young and produced by Marc Klaw and A. L. Erlanger. The stage production was notable for its elaborate use of spectacle, including live horses for the famous chariot race.
Who won the race in Ben-Hur?
Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) wins the race while Messala (Stephen Boyd) is left bleeding in the dust. FILM DESCRIPTION: This 1959 version of Lew Wallace’s best-selling novel, which had already seen screen versions in 1907 and 1926, went on to win 11 Academy Awards.