"BEN HUR."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19144, 29 October 1927, Page 8

"BEN HUR."

SEASON EXTENDED. *$ GRAND THEATRE, MONDAY. '•Ben Hur" is to be continued at the Grand Theatre next week. All th« claims made for the picture have been seconded by the theatre-going public, for ita magnificence inspires and its story enchants. - 'Ben Hur" presents 8 bewildering array of emotions, impulses, and conspiracies. The story is very well known, the- 6tory of the young Jewish prince sent to the Roman g3lley3 by his one-time friend, the Roman llessala, his subsequent escape and triumphs in Rome, his revenge in the Circus Maximus on Messala, his reconciliation, after years of search, with his mother and sister, his idyllic love story with Esther, his devotion to the cause of the Xazarene —all these, coupled with its lavish magnificence and historic fidelity, make it a masterpiece. There is pathos and tragedy in the story; it would bo vain to conceal it. and there are examples of Roman brutality and sheer cruelty that are boldly fascinating; there is all the sensuous beauty of the East and the lazy wealth of Rome, and tho thrilling interest of the chariot race. To ensure its complete fidelity to religious types, and to make it ell the more inspiring and impressive, ATr Fred Xiblo, the director, in some of the more religious scenes, copied masterpieces for i-ceiics iike The Last Supper, the Return from Calvary, the Adoration of 'the Magi Star of Bethlehem, and other events from the New Testatment. Filmed in gorgeous, but subdued colours, just as the paintings feature, these sequences become moments of almost emotional beauty. A particularly distinguished cast play tho leading roles in "Ben Hur." In the title role is seen Ramon Xovarro playing with rare grace and feeling; Francis X. Bushman as ilessala. and Betty Bronson as the Madonna, are perhaps the outstanding players, while Claire McDowell, Winter Hall, Nigel de Brulier, and May McAvoy are other famous artists appearing in support. Mr David McGill sings "Star of Bethlehem" during the screening of tho Scriptural prologue, and during the closing scenes, depicting the "Way of tho Cross, the quartet of Westminster choristers sing "Abide With Me." The Grand Orchestra, augmented for tho season, plays the special ''Ben Hur" score. The bos plans are at the Bristol Fiano Company;