Ben Hur (2003 film)
Encyclopedia
Ben Hur is a 2003
animated film based on the novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
, by Lew Wallace
. It is the fourth film adaptation of the novel.
Charlton Heston
's production company, Agamemnon Films (in association with GoodTimes Entertainment), produced this version of the story, this one a made-for-video animated version, with Heston himself giving voice to the title character. Heston had won an Academy Award for playing the same role in the 1959 version
. This film would end up being Heston's last.
Despite running only 80 minutes (barely more than a third of the 1959 version's running time), it introduced the story to a whole new generation.
This version of Ben-Hur airs on TBN
and Smile of a Child
during the holidays.
In contrast to the 1925 and 1959 versions, the face of Jesus is shown and his words are heard this film.
The character of Messala is different from the 1959 film. This time, he, appeared lamed, approached Ben-Hur for forgiveness besides joining Ben-Hur's family and Balthazar to witness the passion of Jesus. Ben-hur gave water to Jesus on the way to Calvary. As Jesus died, Ben-Hur and his family, with Balthazar, Messala, and Esther clasped their hands in prayer. Through the shining light from Heaven, miracle occur when Jesus healed not only Ben-Hur's family from leprosy, but also Messala to walk again. He came near to the cross thanking Jesus for the miracle the latter did.
At the film's end, Mary Magdalene saw Jesus was alive from the tomb and he would ascend into heaven, giving the promise to the apostles to preach the gospel. Ben-Hur, now married with Esther, shared with his children his story and faith in Jesus.
2003 in film
The year 2003 in film involved some significant events. Releases of sequels took place with movies like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, Pokémon Heroes, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,...
animated film based on the novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
Ben-Hur (novel)
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is a novel by Lew Wallace published on November 12, 1880 by Harper & Brothers. Considered "the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century", it was the best-selling American novel from the time of its publication, superseding Harriet Beecher Stowe's...
, by Lew Wallace
Lew Wallace
Lewis "Lew" Wallace was an American lawyer, Union general in the American Civil War, territorial governor and statesman, politician and author...
. It is the fourth film adaptation of the novel.
Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston
Charlton Heston was an American actor of film, theatre and television. Heston is known for heroic roles in films such as The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, El Cid, and Planet of the Apes...
's production company, Agamemnon Films (in association with GoodTimes Entertainment), produced this version of the story, this one a made-for-video animated version, with Heston himself giving voice to the title character. Heston had won an Academy Award for playing the same role in the 1959 version
Ben-Hur (1959 film)
Ben-Hur is a 1959 American epic film directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston in the title role, the third film adaptation of Lew Wallace's 1880 novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. The screenplay was written by Karl Tunberg, Gore Vidal, and Christopher Fry. The score was composed by...
. This film would end up being Heston's last.
Despite running only 80 minutes (barely more than a third of the 1959 version's running time), it introduced the story to a whole new generation.
This version of Ben-Hur airs on TBN
Trinity Broadcasting Network
The Trinity Broadcasting Network is a major American Christian television network. TBN is based in Costa Mesa, California, with auxiliary studio facilities in Irving, Texas; Hendersonville, Tennessee; Gadsden, Alabama; Decatur, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Orlando, Florida; and New...
and Smile of a Child
Smile of a Child
Smile of a Child TV is a Christian children's channel affiliated with Trinity Broadcasting Network that offers programming 24 hours per day, seven days a week...
during the holidays.
Synopsis
The animated version has the same story but has differences in the 1959 film. The story starts when Balthazar, in the desert, waits for the two other wise men for a journey to Bethlehem. The birth of Christ follows proceeding to the story of Ben Hur, which will take place 30 years after.In contrast to the 1925 and 1959 versions, the face of Jesus is shown and his words are heard this film.
The character of Messala is different from the 1959 film. This time, he, appeared lamed, approached Ben-Hur for forgiveness besides joining Ben-Hur's family and Balthazar to witness the passion of Jesus. Ben-hur gave water to Jesus on the way to Calvary. As Jesus died, Ben-Hur and his family, with Balthazar, Messala, and Esther clasped their hands in prayer. Through the shining light from Heaven, miracle occur when Jesus healed not only Ben-Hur's family from leprosy, but also Messala to walk again. He came near to the cross thanking Jesus for the miracle the latter did.
At the film's end, Mary Magdalene saw Jesus was alive from the tomb and he would ascend into heaven, giving the promise to the apostles to preach the gospel. Ben-Hur, now married with Esther, shared with his children his story and faith in Jesus.
Voice Cast
- Ben Hur - Charlton HestonCharlton HestonCharlton Heston was an American actor of film, theatre and television. Heston is known for heroic roles in films such as The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, El Cid, and Planet of the Apes...
- JesusJesusJesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
- Scott McNeilScott McNeilScott McNeil is a Canadian actor and voice actor. He currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada... - Pontius PilatePontius PilatePontius Pilatus , known in the English-speaking world as Pontius Pilate , was the fifth Prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, from AD 26–36. He is best known as the judge at Jesus' trial and the man who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus...
- Gerard Plunkett - Messala - Duncan FraserDuncan FraserThe Very Rev Duncan Fraser DD, MA, JPwas Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1964 to 1965.He was born in Bracadale on 7 August 1903, educated at Portree High School and the University of Edinburgh. He was Minister of Invergordon Kirk from 1929 to 1967; and a Naval...
- Miriam - Tabitha St. GermainTabitha St. GermainTabitha St. Germain is a Canadian stage actress. She has made the transition from stage work to voice work, and has since become one of the core female voice actresses working with Ocean Productions in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.- Anime :* .hack//Roots - Asta, Nazo Grunty* Black Lagoon -...
- EstherEstherEsther , born Hadassah, is the eponymous heroine of the Biblical Book of Esther.According to the Bible, she was a Jewish queen of the Persian king Ahasuerus...
- Kathleen BarrKathleen BarrKathleen Barr is a Canadian voice actress. She is also the sister of Professor Mark Lyle Barr at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.-Filmography:... - TirzahTirzahTirzah is a Hebrew word meaning "she is my delight." In the Bible it is the name of a woman, one of the daughters of Zelophehad.-Hebrew name:...
- Willow JohnsonWillow JohnsonWillow Johnson is a Canadian voice actress working for the Ocean Productions based in Vancouver. She has performed the roles of several characters for many anime series... - Balthazer - Long John BaldryLong John BaldryJohn William "Long John" Baldry was an English and Canadian blues singer and a voice actor. He sang with many British musicians, with Rod Stewart and Elton John appearing in bands led by Baldry in the 1960s. He enjoyed pop success in the UK where Let the Heartaches Begin reached No...
- Gaspar - French Tickner
- Melchior - Duncan Fraser
- SheikSheikhNot to be confused with sikhSheikh — also spelled Sheik or Shaikh, or transliterated as Shaykh — is an honorific in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and carries the meaning "leader and/or governor"...
Ilderim - Dale Wilson - King Herod - Duncan Fraser
- RabbiRabbiIn Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
- Mackenzie GrayMackenzie GrayMackenzie Gray is a Canadian film, television, and stage actor. He is a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Canada. He divides his time between Toronto and Vancouver.... - Mystic - Gerard Plunkett
- Quintus Arrius - Richard NewmanRichard NewmanRichard Newman is a voice actor with numerous voice roles in Transformers cartoons.-Career:Newman started his career in voice acting in Beast Wars voicing Rhinox and the Vok...
- Gesius - Ian James CorlettIan James CorlettIan James Corlett is a Canadian animation voice artist, writer, and musician. He is the creator of Studio B Productions' animated series Being Ian and Yvon of the Yukon....
- MaryMary (mother of Jesus)Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
- Willow Johnson - JosephSaint JosephSaint Joseph is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ ....
- Michael DobsonMichael DobsonMichael Richard Dobson is one of the three Dobson brothers , all of whom have made themselves known prominently in the voice acting community... - JudasJudas IscariotJudas Iscariot was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is best known for his betrayal of Jesus to the hands of the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver.-Etymology:...
- Lee TockarLee TockarLee William Tockar is a Canadian voice actor and visual artist who works for several studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He is also a writer of children's literature, a musician, sculptor, illustrator and collected painter... - PeterSaint PeterSaint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
- Rob Court - AndrewAndrewAndrew is the English form of a given name and surname common in many countries. Alternatives include André, Andrey, Andrei, Andrej, András, Andrés, Andreas, Andreu, Anders and Endrew. ‘Andrew’ is a common name in English-speaking countries. In the 1990s it was among the top ten most popular names...
- Ian James Corlett - WomanWomanA woman , pl: women is a female human. The term woman is usually reserved for an adult, with the term girl being the usual term for a female child or adolescent...
- Tabitha St. Germain - RomanAncient RomeAncient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
Captain - Long John Baldry - NumberNumberA number is a mathematical object used to count and measure. In mathematics, the definition of number has been extended over the years to include such numbers as zero, negative numbers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and complex numbers....
59 - Scott McNeil - Angel Gabriel - Dale Wilson
- FemaleFemaleFemale is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces non-mobile ova .- Defining characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
AngelAngelAngels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
- Kathleen Barr - ShepherdShepherdA shepherd is a person who tends, feeds or guards flocks of sheep.- Origins :Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations, beginning some 6,000 years ago in Asia Minor. Sheep were kept for their milk, meat and especially their wool...
#1 - Richard Newman - Shepherd #2 - Lee Tockar
- PriestPriestA priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
- Mackenzie Gray - Jewish ManManThe term man is used for an adult human male . However, man is sometimes used to refer to humanity as a whole...
- French Tickner - Inkeeper - Duncan Fraser
- Roman MerchantMerchantA merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
- Russell Roberts - Mary MagdaleneMary MagdaleneMary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
- Kathleen Barr - Roman Citizen - Long John Baldry
- Roman Soldier - William Samples
- Young Woman - Tabitha St. Germain
- Another ManManThe term man is used for an adult human male . However, man is sometimes used to refer to humanity as a whole...
- Ian James Corlett - ScientistScientistA scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
- Dale Wilson - Merchant - Richard Newman
- Man - Rob Court
- Guard - Lee Tockar
- SoldierSoldierA soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
#1 - Mackenzie Gray - Soldier #2 - Michael Dobson
- Bystander #1 - Duncan Fraser
- Bystander #2 - Gerard Plunkett
- ArtArtArt is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
Instructor - Scott McNeil - ArcheryArcheryArchery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
Instructor - Russell Roberts - Leading Soldier - Long John Baldry
- Slave - Lee Tockar
- DoctorPhysicianA physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
- French Tickner - Leper - Rob Court
- Woman #1 - Kathleen Barr
- Woman #2 - Tabitha St. Germain
- Citizen - Long John Baldry