The filmmaking and direction aspects of Ben-Hur are certainly to be marveled at. Behind the control of William Wyler Ben-Hur was a gigantic task to be tackled in terms of creating a blockbuster film that was much more than spectacle and special effects. The dialogue of the film contributes heavily to actual quality in addition to the famous scenes involving complex stunts such as the chariot race. The film starts out set in Judea where Ben-Hur and Messala, his childhood friend, are reunited and still possess a strong friendship. This deteriorates quickly as Ben-Hur disdains the Romans and how they treat his people. Thus, the main plot begins and Ben-Hur is soon imprisoned by Messala and becomes a galley

The MGM company put up the largest amount of money, at that time, in history with their production of Ben-Hur. Going for the blockbuster, the three and a half hour spectacle was meant to draw a large audience. MGM did not produce many epics as it was already in decline in the 1950s and was still hot on musicals into the 1960s but they made a smart decision in the investment of Ben-Hur. Independent film at the time was growing but MGM still had the residual power to invest in such a film to draw audiences to the theatres. In the year Ben-Hur was released Loews was finally separated from MGM still retaining a partnership in some respects but much more independent than the relationship of distribution and production of earlier decades. Part of the expense of the huge budget was the fact they shot on location in Italy. As production was delayed and weird occurrences such as the death of the Producer Zimbalist slowed production MGM was forced to pump lots of money to finish the film. They often payed extras for sitting on the beach for days while waiting to film. Nevertheless, Ben-Hur was a success and brought acclaim for MGM in its waning years of power and prestige. MGM still is a major studio success today but Ben-Hur was the beginning of the end of the MGM dominance the area of film.

The crew and actors involved in the production of Ben-Hur were certainly some of the greatest of that era. With William Wyler directing and a myriad of other contributions from prominent people in film Ben-Hur had success lined up. William Wyler' career stretched back in to the mid-1920s in the silent era. He had many previously successful films but surely Ben-Hur was his greatest achievement. Although, there were direction difficulties Wyler pushed through them in order to finish. Wyler also was distinguished for several wartime films of the 40s in which he won acclaim and Oscars for. He actually served in World War II as a Major in the Army Air Corps which inspired him to make two famous documentaries Memphis Belle and The Fighting Lady. Other notable crew members included Oscar winners Sam Zimbalist who died making th

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Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)