“BEN HUR”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29505, 5 May 1961, Page 15

“BEN HUR”

600 At Special Showing

When the motion picture "Ben Hur” had its South Island premiere in Christchurch last evening, all 600 invitations were accepted for the special screening before an audience in formal dress. There was a very wide representation of leaders of the churches, local bodies, business organisations, the armed services, and cultural groups.

For most it was a nostalgic evening which recalled a favourite book and a favourite silent film of their youth. For all it showed the tremendous strides made since then by the motionpicture industry as a whole The silent black-and-white film, years ago, is still remembered for its grandeur, its action, and its length. This one eclipses the first in all three features and adds glorious Colour, clamour of sound, and wide screen techniques. In every way this is an enormous production, involving a cast of 50,000, more than 300 sets. 148 acres for filming outside Rome, and five years’ research to reproduce authentically the times of Christ. Last night's audience agreed that, as in the book and the silent film, the chariot race is something to be remembered for years.