STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 237, 27 December 1927, Page 17

STRAND

“BEN-HUR” “Ben Hur” is continuing its triumphant season at the Strand Theatre this week, and there seems to be no diminishing in the crowds of theatregoers to see this .wonderfully-moving story of the most momentous and significant period of tho world’s history. The story offers exceptional opportunities for gorgeous settings on a lavish scale, and tho Metro-Gold wynMayer studios have produced them with consummate artistry and immense splendour. The romantic appeal of Lew Wallace’s mighty book lias kept it popular with the Englishspeaking races, while other works have flashed into prominence and been long forgotten. The stoy it tells is mellow with the wisdom of the ages, and as new as to-morrow. Sympathetically interpreted as it has been, it has become an epic of the screen. The entry is one of revenge and love. Revenge that is sought by Ben Hur for the wrong done him and his noble house by the Romans. When the new Senator, Velarious Gratus, is being welcomed in Jerusalem, and as he makes liis triumphal way along crowded streets, a tile from an overhanging roof falls from the palace of Judali, Prince of Ilur, and strikes his head. That the occurrence was an accident is an explanation that carries no weight with the Romans, and Ben Hur is sent to the galleys for life, and his mother and sister to the hideous dungeon of Antonia. Ben Hur slaves in the awful conditions of the galleys, but never forgets liis one purpose in life, to avenge the indignity and suffering so unjustly done to his house. At last opportunity comes, and in a chariot race which, as a spectacle, will stand as one of the greatest motion picture scenes yet produced, he gains both his revenge and victory. The artists who play the roles in “Ben Hur” were recruited from the most distinguished ranks. Ramon Novarro, as Ben Hur, is rebellious, bitter, dutiful, romantic, an array of varying moods in a winning personality. Francis X. Bushman as Messala is a Roman; Simonides is perfectly played by Nigel de Brulier, Esther wistfully given by May McAvoy, Joseph the Carpenter is portrayed with gravity and dignity by Winter Hall, the brilliant actor from Christchurch, while the Mary of Betty Bronson is a cameo of quiet effacement and youthful dignity.