Summary
Ben-Hur's plot follows Judah Ben-Hur (played by Ramon Novarro), a Jewish prince who lives during the time when Jesus Christ was campaigning among the hippies of the first century to promote love and introspection among the downtrodden, oppressed Jews under Roman rule. Ben-Hur embarks upon an epic struggle between himself and Messala (Francis X. Bushman), a Roman soldier and former friend. An epic chariot race between Messala and Ben-Hur forms the climax of the movie.
[Sanford]'s score provided a wide variety of musical elements that sometimes commented on the movie itself, while at other times elaborated on a perspective in light of modern predicaments. For example, Sanford composed a psychotic, foreboding, free-jazz vignette during a scene in which Messala recites a key line of dialogue (displayed as text in typical silent film fashion): "To be a Roman is to rule the world." The pointed bit of music suggested that Sanford found the line particularly significant, perhaps as a metaphor to the United States' often unbridled patriotism and view of its position in the global community.At times Sanford's score served as sound effects, such as when the orchestra's brass coincided with Roman trumpets, and when drummer Larry Luttinger played along to the ship galley's slave-drive beats that kept the Jewish gaggle and Ben-Hur paddling. Quick tempos and fast-paced licks often lent musical scenery to scenes in which director Fred Niblo attempted to visually describe the mobs of Roman cities.See the full content of this document
Extract
Hur'ed It Through the Grapevine
Hur'ed It Through the Grapevine
Featuring Roman soldiers in costume as well as a handful of onlookers who had apparently gotten lost on the way to a toga frat party, the Syracuse International Film Fest kicked off on April 24 at the Palace Theater, 2384 James St., in semi-grandiose, Roman style with a ...See the full content of this document
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