STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 242, 3 January 1928, Page 14

STRAND

“BEN-HUR” There are hundreds who have been enchanted and inspired by General Lew Wallace's tale of the days ot Christ entitled “Ben-Hur.” and there are many hundreds more who may not know the whole story, but who have read the enthralling section with “BenHur” in the chariot race, which must go down as one of the finest stories of its kind ever written. At the Strand Theatre there is the entire tale in all its splendour and thrill, reproduced on the screen in what must be acknowledged as one of the mightiest productions of all time. It is gripping: it is pathetic; it is inspiring; it is treated with a rare charm that adds if anything to the natural lustre of the tale. The story of the down-trodden house of Judah fighting against the Roman yoke, with Ben-Hur the last of that house, as the hero, lends itself to production on the screen, and not one opportunity has been lost to make the film a really outstanding one. All the phases of the tale have been brought out in bold relief, and nothing has been spared to make the scenes realistic — Ben-Hur as a mighty prince in his home town of Jerusalem; Ben-Hur condemned and working for his life as a galley slave; Ben-Hur rescued from the sea and his enemies after a terrific fight in the Roman galleys; Ben-Hur, the adopted son of a Roman sea captain; Ben-Hur, the Jew seeking vengeance on his one-time friend, Messala, the Roman, who turned on him and had his mother and sister cast into the dungeons; all these phases of the story as it weaves its way to a slashing climax in which love is the dominating grace, are made to stand out as if incidents of the moment Nor is it but a “spectacle” film, so to speak. It is more. It has unbounded human appeal, and the spiritual side of the story, especially the prologue, has been treated with exquisite taste. The coloured sections of the picture are gloriously produced. Ramon Novarro has the outstanding role of his career as Ben-Hur, and it is a role played in a manner which leaves a lasting impression of the hero of this thrilling story of ancient Rome and Egypt. May McAvoy gives a delightful portrayal, while Betty Bronson, acting for but a brief part of the film in the role of Mother Mary, plays a part which, though so short, stamps her as an actress of the first rank. A fine prologue introduces the story proper, Mr. David McGill singing “The Star of Bethlehem.”

The Strand Symphony Orchestra, specially augmented for the season, interprets a musical score specially written for the picture.