Ben Hur

Plot

The 1907 adaptation of Ben-Hur follows the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince from Jerusalem who is betrayed by his childhood friend Messala, a Roman officer. After being falsely accused of an assassination attempt, Ben-Hur is enslaved and his family is imprisoned. During his journey as a galley slave, he witnesses Jesus Christ's crucifixion and experiences a spiritual transformation. The film depicts key moments from the novel including Ben-Hur's suffering aboard the Roman galley, his eventual reunion with his family, and his encounter with Christ, though in this abbreviated 15-minute version, many subplots were condensed or omitted entirely.

Historical Background

The 1907 Ben-Hur was produced during a pivotal period in cinema history, often called the 'one-reel era' when films were typically 10-15 minutes long. This was before the feature film became standard, and before Hollywood had emerged as the center of American film production. The nickelodeon boom was in full swing, with thousands of small theaters opening across America. The film industry was still establishing its legal and artistic boundaries, and copyright law had not yet adapted to the new medium of motion pictures. The production of Ben-Hur represented an early attempt to bring serious literary adaptation to the screen, challenging the perception that movies were merely cheap entertainment. The film's release came just two years after the landmark 1905 Supreme Court decision in 'Kalem Co. v. Harper Bros.' which would ultimately set precedents for film adaptation rights.

Making Of

The production of Ben-Hur in 1907 was a significant undertaking for the Kalem Company. Director Sidney Olcott, a pioneering filmmaker who would later co-found Famous Players Film Company (Paramount's predecessor), faced numerous technical challenges. The galley scenes required the use of actual boats on water, which was difficult to film with the bulky equipment of the era. The production had to create makeshift ancient Jerusalem settings in New York and New Jersey, using whatever locations could pass for biblical times. Gene Gauntier, who played Esther and wrote the scenario, had to condense Wallace's massive novel into a screenplay that could be filmed in just 15 minutes. The cast worked in primitive conditions, with no dressing rooms or modern amenities. The film was shot quickly and efficiently, as was typical of the one-reel era, but with more attention to spectacle than most productions of its time.

Visual Style

The cinematography of the 1907 Ben-Hur was typical of the period but ambitious in scope. The film was shot in the standard one-reel format of the time, using stationary cameras with long takes. No close-ups or camera movements were employed, as these techniques had not yet been developed. The cinematographer had to work with natural lighting for the outdoor scenes, which limited shooting hours. The galley sequences presented particular challenges, requiring careful positioning of cameras to capture the action on water. The film used basic special effects for the time, including in-camera tricks and practical effects. While primitive by modern standards, the cinematography was considered impressive for 1907, especially in its attempt to convey the scale of the story through composition and staging.

Innovations

For its time, the 1907 Ben-Hur represented several technical achievements in early cinema. The successful filming of maritime sequences with actual boats on water was particularly noteworthy, as this required careful planning and execution with the bulky cameras of the era. The production managed to create convincing ancient settings using limited resources and locations in New York and New Jersey. The film demonstrated early attempts at crowd organization and staging, with multiple actors coordinated for key scenes. While not revolutionary in technical terms, the film pushed the boundaries of what was possible in a one-reel format, attempting to convey an epic story within severe time and technical constraints. The successful integration of location shooting with studio work showed the growing sophistication of American film production techniques.

Music

The 1907 Ben-Hur would have been accompanied by live musical performance during exhibition, as was standard for all films of the silent era. Theaters typically employed pianists or small ensembles to provide musical accompaniment. For a film with biblical and historical themes, the music would likely have included classical pieces, hymns, and popular songs of the era that fit the mood. Some theaters may have used cue sheets provided by the Kalem Company, suggesting appropriate music for different scenes. The galley scenes might have been accompanied by dramatic, martial music, while the religious elements would have featured more solemn, reverential pieces. Unfortunately, no specific musical scores or cue sheets for this particular film have survived.

Memorable Scenes

• The galley slave sequence, which was particularly ambitious for 1907 and required filming on actual water with boats
• The crucifixion scene, which represented one of the earliest attempts to depict this biblical event on film
• The opening scenes depicting Ben-Hur as a wealthy Jewish prince in Jerusalem
• The betrayal scene where Messala condemns Ben-Hur to slavery

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception of the 1907 Ben-Hur was generally positive, with reviewers noting its ambitious scope and impressive spectacle for a one-reel film. The Moving Picture World praised its 'magnificent' production values and noted that it 'surpasses anything yet attempted in moving pictures.' Critics were particularly impressed by the galley scenes and the attempt to recreate biblical Jerusalem. However, some reviewers noted that the 15-minute format was insufficient to properly convey the novel's epic scope. Modern film historians view the 1907 Ben-Hur as a significant technical and artistic achievement for its time, though most acknowledge that it appears primitive by later standards. The film is now studied primarily for its historical importance and its role in establishing copyright precedents rather than its artistic merits.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1907 reportedly responded enthusiastically to Ben-Hur, which stood out from the typical short comedies and melodramas of the era. The film's biblical subject matter appealed to the predominantly family audiences of nickelodeons. Many viewers were impressed by the spectacle of the galley scenes and the attempt to recreate ancient settings. The film's success at the box office demonstrated that there was a market for more serious, literary adaptations, encouraging other studios to pursue similar projects. Contemporary accounts suggest that the film was particularly popular in areas with strong religious communities. However, some audience members may have been confused by the condensed narrative, as they were expected to be familiar with Wallace's novel to follow the story completely.

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