STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 253, 16 January 1928, Page 13

STRAND

“BEN-HUR” Glowing tradition clusters around the name of “Ben-Hur,” which is now in its fifth triumphant week at the Strand Theatre. As a book it has been translated into ten different languages, and was the first novel to be translated into Arabic. As produced by Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer, the greater “Ben-Hur” exceeds the stage play beyond all comparison, just as the new art of the motion picture, that has the whole world for its canvas, exceeds the older one of the stage.

Now the story of “Ben-Hur,” with all its love, its hate and its spectacular magnificence, is presented with amazing reality and inspiring fidelity. The novel could give but a vague description of scenes and surroundings. The stage could but feebly imitate them. The screen presents them —perfect to the merest detail. Twelve teams of four horses each race seven laps around a real arena of vast proportions in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s presentation of “Ben-Hur.” A fleet of one hundred triremes, which could have transport €id the warriors of ancient Rome, goes into hfettle with pirates on the Tyrrhenian Sea. In this manner, and into every incident the picture impart% warmth and human feeling, and kindles into life a majestic drama which is without a parallel. In presenting “Ben-Hur” we would say this: Here is a motion picture production made possible only by great courage, infinite sincerity ami honest endeavour. It tells a story that is as appealing, as understandable now as when it was first written. In presenting it to you, we are placing before you a masterpiece so rare and fine and full of majesty that can only be compared to the greatest achievements in the realms of art and literature. Preceding the photoplay is a very beautiful and effective stage prologue, during which Mr. Birrell O'Malley sings “The Star of Bethlehem.”