A 1959 "epic" directed by one of Americas finest directors, William Wilder. Cecil B.De. Mille had been the great religious epic director, but with Ben Hur, Wilder showed that you need not part the Red Sea...to make a wonderfully epic movie. The main difference between De Mille and Wilder was....De Mille always loved to show over the top scenes....with maximum effect. Some of them worked really well......others flopped badly. Wilder was a superior operator....holding key ...important moments for many extra vital seconds. He also understood his actors better than Cecil. Wilders body of work (Some Like it Hot....Sunset Boulevard Etc.) is vastly superior to De Milles. However, De Mille was a pioneer and should be regarded as a brave front runner. This is one of those old films that everyone should see....if only to demonstrate to-days movies are ....all about CGI...and poor scripts.
