MovieChat Forums > Ben-Hur A Tale of the Christ (1927) Discussion > Is this one restored at all?

Is this one restored at all?

posted 19 years ago by wmjgas59
12 replies | jump to latest

This is an 80 year old film. I know parts of it are lost forever. But did Warner Home Video do a restoration (along the lines of Columbia/Tristar's amazing Lost Horizon)? And did they edit out the male frontal nudity?

Remember, this was before The Code made nudity verboten (and men's genitals as rare as supernovas). I do recall being a bit shocked the first time I saw it, but let's also face it, clothing wouldn't be wasted on slaves. I suppose they could pixilate it out.

Anybody caught an advance copy yet?

[–] Poukram 19 years ago

Yes, there is a restored version of this film. It was shown on german TV a few years ago WITHOUT editing nudity. So I tzhink, it will be never shown on US TV at all: too much nudity and to less violence *lol*

"Death makes angels of us all, lets grow wings instead of wolves claws" (James D. Morrison)

[–] nateba 19 years ago

Not true. At least as far as female nudity goes. The film shows up periodically on Turner Classic Movies uncut, complete with nudity in glorious two-strip Technicolor. With the exception of a rear shot of a chained galley slave, I can't comment on male nudity. Where would it occur?

cinefreak

[–] jonny_the_guru 19 years ago

The new 4-Disc Special Edition Ben-Hur appears to have done a pretty good job in restoring the picture, although it was also the first silent movie I've ever seen, so I can't really compare to films of that era all that well, But for what it's worth the quality was better then I had expected.

As for the nudity, I don't recall seeing any male nudity, but I do seem to remember some female frontals that could be seen during one of the parades through the streets. (I'm thinking it was either when the Governor(or whatever his title was) showed up near the start or when everyone is heading to the Chariot race. ...Whereever it was, I'm positive I did see it, and it wasn't all too brief (although small because it was a huge crowd setting.)

"No, No. Dig up, stupid!"

[–] nateba 19 years ago

The scene in the galleys shows some recurring shots of a naked guy (seen from the back) in some kind of pillory. As he doesn't move throughout the scene, I have my suspicions that it's really a very well made mannequin.

cinefreak

[–] VonPickering 19 years ago

Yes, there is a restored version, Thames television 143 mins. The guy in the galley is real... bum and all.
I HAVE THIS ON DVD! so there.
Fire streaks across the heavens. Battle has begun!

[–] Poukram 19 years ago

It is true, got it on VHS. Lenghts of 144 minutes. Male nudity occures on the slave ship before it went to the battle!

"THERE IS NO JUSTICE, JUST ME"
(DEATH of the Discworld)

[–] Barry-73 19 years ago

I have the MGM/UA Home Video VHS version, and the Buddha Video DVD (Taiwan) version. Both are 148 minutes. The DVD says 148 minutes on the label, but 151 on the box. I don't know what's up with that.
Both have the technicolor sequences. I haven't watched my VHS copy in a while. I'm just finishing up watching the DVD now and I find it an amazing movie. I counted at least 6 technicolor sequences. I didn't notice any nudity, male or female, though. It may be there but I didn't notice it.
The print used for the DVD is amazing. It's as clear as if it were a new movie, almost.

[–] auntijoan1 19 years ago

This is on DVD?!?! Who put it out and where can I snag a copy? After much looking, I finally found a copy on VHS a few months ago - it has 3 or 4 color scenes, as I recall - but would vastly prefer the film on DVD. I rave to friends that the chariot race and sea battle can easily hold their own against the '59 version; I'd like to be able to find them rapidly for viewing. Also, though I read the book a long, long time ago, I believe this version is much truer to it.

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[–] elden-4 19 years ago

The version I saw was also 143 minutes long. The length differences is most probably due to frame speeds not cutting.

There was female nudity, barebreasted women in the parade scene (technicolor) and I'm quite sure I saw male frontal nudity too somewhere in the galley scenes. It was brief though.

And no, the "statue" with the bare butt (in the galley) is not a statue at all, he's clearly moving himself when we dolly towards the drummer.

[–] turtletommy 18 years ago

I just saw it and the only nudity I saw was indeed a full rear view of a naked man in a pillory standing to the right of the hortator in the sea battle sequence. Also during the 2-strip technicolor parade when Ben-Hur returns to Rome after the sea battle victory the parade is led by several topless females throwing rose petals. They are small-chested (and could be representing children for that matter) and you have to look twice to notice the nudity. It was very tastefully done. I didn't notice anything close to male frontal nudity in the film.