The Story of the Making of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

by Ray Freiman, George Vogel (Foreword)

Book by Wallace, General Lew

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1959

Reviews

[Anthony McGill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the original souvenir program for William Wyler's momentous production of 'Ben-Hur' glitzed up and published in book form with the added feature of an inside gatefold spread of the famous chariot race.

The Wyler production, filmed at Cinecitta in Rome, was probably the best and certainly the most intelligent of all the biblical extravaganzas Hollywood put together, and was released in 1959 winning a record 11 Academy Awards.

The only Oscar it lost was for Best Screenplay, mainly due to the stink over who wrote the script and who should get credit. Karl Tunberg got the Writer's Guild affirmation (and the sole credit) although Wyler demanded Christopher Fry get a credit also. And of course, there is the saga of Gore Vidal's input which has been over discussed elsewhere.

The souvenir book was one of the better ones M-G-M put out to herald their big films. The 16 main actors get a nice biographical pen picture accompanied by some beautifully drawn images by Joseph J. Smith of each actor depicted as in the character portrayed. 14 pages of color photos from the film. Plus articles on author Lew Wallace, The Making of the Film, Casting, The Sets, Wardrobe, Composer Miklos Rozsa, Camera 65 and The Wyler Touch.

Also included in this Random House edition (and not from the film) are reproductions of a number of religious paintings (at the back of the book) which can be removed "by carefully cutting along the dotted line."

[Tom Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This slim volume came in a box set soundtrack edition of the Miklos Rozsa music on MGM Records ‎released in 1959. On watching the film, this made an accompaniment like a commentary track. The book features professional biographies of all the principals, stats on the sets (8.9 miles of pipes for the Arrius' party) and more production details. This includes the fact that tourists used to visit the impressive site in Italy as it was being built, the amount of hair gathered for wigs and bears, and the impressive amount of extras. Also, there are details on the immense reach of the Wallace novel from its longevity in print to state and silent production that predate the MGM film.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother had this book years ago and in my early youth tore out pages and the poster insert and frame-able pictures and marked up the book with crayons. I was in my twenties when I had last seen it. I recently found a copy "like new" on ebay and purchased it - not realizing the treasure it beheld. While though is does seem to a book to promote the movie, rather than a souvenir of remembrance for an epic movie.

Had my mother been alive today, I am sure she would be pleased to see it "like new" and all intact again.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucky find in a second-hand shop. Vintage behind-the-scenes book to one of my favorite films!

[William Razavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just some cool old ephemera from the 1959 film but the real selling point of this for me was cool extra artwork. I'm totally tempted to cut them out and put them up in my dorm room for a laugh. But that would involve time travel.