The Ten Commandments or Ben-Hur, which is the better Epic?

[Dr. Fate]

In light of the passing of actor Charlton Heston, I thought I'd throw out a thread debating which of his two very famous epics is the superior film -

The 10 Commandments

Or Ben-Hur?

And now by popular demand, are either of these films a match for El Cid?

Debate/Discuss as you see fit.

 

[terry78]

They both have their high points, but I give it to Ben-Hur for being epic as far as the setpieces and acting. Ten Commandments I like, but it's based a little more on spectacle.

 

[Gotham]

How does El Cid not make this list?

And I voted for The Ten Commandents. The parting of the seas!

 

[The_Vision]

Ben-Hur

 

[cerealkiller182]

Ben-Hur

It has the better story and holds up to time better than Ten Commandments.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Ben-Hur. Watching this the other day showed me exactly how great a movie it is.

 

[Dr. Fate]

How does El Cid not make this list?

My bad.

And I voted for The Ten Commandents. The parting of the seas!

I love that bit as well.

 

[Gamma Ray]

I'm not sure, but they both represent the prime of film making equally well. We just don't have enough actors like Heston anymore.

 

[Spider-Who?]

i've never seen ben-hur

 

[Lighthouse]

Ben-Hur. I love the Ten Commandments but its a little corny at times. Ben-Hur's story is still great.

And El Cid is quite awesome.

 

[Gotham]

And El Cid is quite awesome.

I only wish that there was a film that could be as large and as heart breaking as El Cid. Kingdom of Heaven tried so hard.

 

[Obsidian]

I only wish that there was a film that could be as large and as heart breaking as El Cid. Kingdom of Heaven tried so hard.

director's cut of KOH does a splended job at it

I'd give the edge to "Ben-Hur" because of the chariot race. The Chariot race was incredible!

 

[Gotham]

director's cut of KOH does a splended job at it

I liked the Director's Cut. Just wish there was a definitive film.

 

[GhostPoet]

that is a painfully hard choice...but i'm gonna go with The Ten Commandments...it's a pretty amazing flick for back in the day that was not only epic, but really showed off some very impressive special effects for back then.

 

[Odin's Lapdog]

It's so obviously El Cid that my eyes are on fire by the fact it's not even considered

This thread is void.

 

[stargazer]

BEN-HUR

It is actually a favorite film of mine. The film is FANTASTIC, IMO, and it makes me tear up a bit.




Oh, and I met him once. Honest.

 

[DACrowe]

Most def. Ben-Hur. The only ancient epic to have surpassed it to date is Gladiator.

 

[Spider-Fan]

director's cut of KOH does a splended job at it

I'd give the edge to "Ben-Hur" because of the chariot race. The Chariot race was incredible!

Off topic, but how much better is the Kingdom of Heaven DC? I ask cause I thought the theatrical movie was absolutely horrible, but as a fan of Ridley Scott, been curious to see the DC.

 

[Gotham]

Off topic, but how much better is the Kingdom of Heaven DC? I ask cause I thought the theatrical movie was absolutely horrible, but as a fan of Ridley Scott, been curious to see the DC.

A vast improvement over the original cut, but I still wasn't won over by it.

 

[Dr. Fate]

It's so obviously El Cid that my eyes are on fire by the fact it's not even considered

This thread is void.

Would you like me to start a thread dedicated to appreciating El Cid so as to atone for the blasphemy of not including it here alongside 10 Commandments and Ben-Hur?

BEN-HUR

It is actually a favorite film of mine. The film is FANTASTIC, IMO, and it makes me tear up a bit.

Oh, and I met him once. Honest.

What was he like?

 

[Figs]

Enjoyed both but am going to give it to Ten Commandments. I think that has more of a lasting memory in my head then Ben-Hur.

 

[Arkady Rossovich]

10 Commandments. It's old world speech made it authentic.

 

[The Chairman]

The Ten Commandments, but both are masterpieces that represnet old school filmmaking at its finest.

 

[Spider-Fan]

How good is El Cid? I have never seen it (that and Soylent Green, which I am having trouble finding a copy of in stores )

 

[Gotham]

How good is El Cid? I have never seen it (that and Soylent Green, which I am having trouble finding a copy of in stores )

El Cid is one of the most heartbreaking films I've ever seen. And it's an epic. Heston at his finest. It's what really modeled Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven.