Ben Hur (1925), Turner Classic Films Soundtrack Competition

My 1999 submission to Turner Classic Films open soundtrack competition, to Ben Hur (MGM, 1925), the most expensive epic silent film ever made.

This film has one of the first renditions of the famous Chariot race, later re-done in the 1959 version starring Charlton Heston.

The track is in 5/8 and other odd timings, multiple polyrhythms layered on top of one another. See if you can count it out!

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Fred
• Niblo
• Lew
• Wallace
• Ben
• Hur
• Ramon
• Novarro
• TCM
• Silent
• Film
• Soundtrack
• Competition
• Chariot
• Race
• Passion
• Jesus
• Christ

[zeekwolfe]

When we were a boy lo these long years passed, this picture I saw in a big theatre in Los Angeles. Bun-Hur was as I remember...the best of early movie making. The music in my day was by pipe organ played by an expert. It was thrilling when the low notes shook the building. This new score for Turner Classic Movies...nope, doesn't work at all except to push the "boring" button.

[arthursulit]

Yepp, he's right, the organists of old were far superior, and unfortunately there isn't much opportunity for anyone nowadays to develop that level, since there are no theatres that pay one to practice this art every day to get there. So yes, this was a slap-on job of an early piece of mine, that miraculously, happened to sync with scene timings. Actually, I hate new age crap and what it stands for. Yawnii I am not: See my other stuff for more worthy classical work.

[ad6a8a]

Just wondering how old are you zeekwolfe? The movie came over 80+ years ago or do you see it in a movie revival house "lo those long years ago?"

[mmmlima1]

In the cast, rare bit of JANET GAYNOR, one slave girl.

[ArtsJazz]

@benhurfanclub -- stories of Christ, or any other production, should also not be pirated. This one especially. Try not to promote pirates, and "atone" by making up for the many many times u killed artists. That's what Ben Hur teaches...not just any small atonement, but huge debt owed to those you "imprisoned".

[ArtsJazz]

@benhurfanclub - thanks, but sheesh, u like saying "dammmed this dammed that" what r u an ex navy sailor enlisted? I used to work with lots o' them, and got sick of it after 5 minutes of cuss culture, which doesn't help them at all in their spiritual growth...rather retards them.

[benhurfanclub]

I wish YT, or whomever is responsible for pulling the '25 version would reconsider. This is a damned fine movie, and more in tune with the novel than the one from '59.

[benhurfanclub]

All but this and the sea battle have been pulled from YT. Damned shame, that. Though the '59 is a far superior version, this one is more in concert with the novel.

YouTube is difficult to figure, sometimes.

[BestManMe09]

Read!!!!!!!

There is a great new bio (Charlton Heston: An Incredible life) selling at amazon! Its by Michelle Bernier (Heston was Ben Hur in the 1959 version of course!).

[80stimeagain]

I like what you did here. Music is very important in adding expression to the movie scene. You put a lot of work into your score, and it is a very interesting one. i wish i could compose music.