Comparing the chariot race... 1959 + 2016
In each case, the stadium was breathtaking. CGI is most effective when depicting scenery, and it worked well with the stadium. The middle barrier with colossal statues of a legionaire spearing a lion and at the other end a chariot with reared horses was spectacular. The 1959 stadium, even without CGI, was equally spectacular. The imposing gigantic statue of a crouching Jupiter was jaw dropping.
Look at the 2016 chariot race. In some respects, it was more innovative than the classic version. A row of drummers banging away during the race added to the excitement. After a crash, unbridled horses ran the wrong way. But they soon dissipated into CGI limbo. Same with the spooked horse that ran into the stands and up the stairs...great concept, until CGI phoniness abruptly swept it away. Ben Hur falling off his chariot and gripping the reins while being dragged at 40 mph for an extended period of time was way over the top, and especially when he managed to climb back on was silly. And the end of the race, where both he and Messalah crashed but Ben Hur managed to get up reminded me of the phony ending to Rocky II.
The 1959 version was superior and here's why: No CGI was a plus, as it always lends an air of clipped phoniness to action sequences. Prior to the race, there was much fanfare as the charioteers and their horses took a lap accompanied by trumpets for the audience, as an opening parade. During the race, absolutely no background music was played on the soundtrack so all you heard was the pounding of the horses' hooves. There was much continuity and you felt you saw all nine laps in real time. Without CGI, the crashes were more terrifyingly real. Even with no dialogue, Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd were far superior actors during the race, with every facial expression reeking intensity. And, of course, Messalah had those gleaming murderous silver spiked hub caps that acted as a buzz saw when he sideswiped an oppenent's spoked wheels.