Raimondo Van Riel Movies
This 1959 version of Lew Wallace's best-selling novel, which had already seen screen versions in 1907 and 1926, went on to win 11 Academy Awards. Adapted by Karl Tunberg and a raft of uncredited writers including Gore Vidal and Maxwell Anderson, the film once more recounts the tale of Jewish prince Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), who lives in Judea with his family during the time that Jesus Christ was becoming known for his "radical" teachings. Ben-Hur's childhood friend Messala (Stephen Boyd) is now an ambitious Roman tribune; when Ben-Hur refuses to help Messala round up local dissidents on behalf of the emperor, Messala pounces on the first opportunity to exact revenge on his onetime friend. Tried on a trumped-up charge of attempting to kill the provincial governor (whose head was accidentally hit by a falling tile), Ben-Hur is condemned to the Roman galleys, while his mother (Martha Scott) and sister (Cathy O'Donnell) are imprisoned. But during a sea battle, Ben-Hur saves the life of commander Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins), who, in gratitude, adopts Ben-Hur as his son and gives him full control over his stable of racing horses. Ben-Hur never gives up trying to find his family or exact revenge on Messala. At crucial junctures in his life, he also crosses the path of Jesus, and each time he benefits from it. The highlight of the film's 212 minutes is its now-legendary chariot race, staged largely by stunt expert Yakima Canutt. Ben-Hur's Oscar haul included Best Picture, Best Director for the legendary William Wyler, Best Actor for Heston, and Best Supporting Actor for Welsh actor Hugh Griffith as an Arab sheik. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, (more)
- 1936
Released internationally as Magnificent Rogue, Lorenzino de Medici stars Alessandro Moissi in the title role. The story is set in 16th-century Florence, during the corrupt regime of Duke Alexander (Camilo Pilotto). The depraved Duke finally goes too far when he tries to steal the sweetheart of the dashing Lorenzino de Medici. At this point, the low-key adversarial relationship between the Duke and De Medicini goes from wordplay to swordplay. Alas, Alessandro Moissi died some six months before Lorenzino de Medici hit the screen. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Camillo Pilotto, Germana Paolieri, (more)
- 1929
S.O.S was the last of six films directed in 1927 by Carmine Gallone. The story gets off to a lively start with a spectacular collision at sea between two enormous ocean liners. As the ship sinks, philandering husband Alfrons Fryland and his new bride Liane Haid are rescued separately, each believing that the other has drowned. Heading to Africa to forget his troubles, Fryland proves easy prey for vampish Gina Manes. Meanwhile, the grief-stricken Haid accepts a job as a female clown with a travelling circus. During a native insurrection, Fryland and Haid are reunited -- but Fryland doesn't recognize his heavily made-up spouse. Wounded in the fray, the husband is rescued by his "lost" wife, at which point everything is explained. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1927
The German Manege appears to have been heavily influenced by E. A. Dupont's Variety. Because of a quarrel over a woman, Ralph and Gaston, two brothers who are partnered in a circus tightrope act, have not been civil to one another for years. Ralph, the younger of the two, stirs up even more tension under the Big Top when he tries to rescue a young female aerialist from the cruelties of her stepfather, the circus' ringmaster. For the girl's sake, Ralph urges the other performers to go on strike, earning the undying hatred of the ringmaster. The crisis is ultimately resolved by Gaston, Ralph's estranged brother, who kills the villain in a fistfight. Through this spectacular act of filial loyalty, Gaston is at last reconciled with Ralph. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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