With my newly found free time (did I mention I need a gig?) I have been diving into the Blu-Ray collection quite a bit. I love Blu-Ray. I get it if you don’t, but I do. Things looks so so vivid.
I taped (I say taped because I am from the 80’s) taped Lawrence of Arabia on TMC for no particular reason. I had heard of it and now I had time. I knew nothing about the movie.
I got about an hour into it and was blown away. The scene that really got me apparently is referred to as the mirage. What got me about the seven was the use of a single cut and SILENCE. Oh my goodness, SILENCE. I don’t want to be an old man, but not everything needs a loud soundtrack. (And if you watch a modern concert video, how about keeping the camera on say Bruce or McCartney rather than some fan in the crowd?).
Silence. The man on the horse rides up, and in silence we watch that long ride and wonder who he is.
I realized I was blowing it watching it on TMC SD, so I stopped the DVR and ordered the Blu-Ray (via my beloved Amazon Prime). The restored BD is absolutely amazing. If you have never seen this beautiful film, stop reading and order it.
That inspired me to get Ben-Hur. Amazon, click.
While different, it is also awesome. Another restored version that looks great on my big screen Sony. It even had an intermission? Remember those?
What is truly great about these two films is NO CGI. There is a big difference between 200 guys on camels and CGI camels. Or an actual desert. Or 40 horses running side by side in a chariot race. I may watch Gladiator tonight to compare natural effects to CGI.
I met Heston twice. The second time he was older and not quite as sharp but the first time was priceless. I was coming back from the bathroom at WOR with no idea who John Gambling had on as a guest. So I’m bopping down the hallway when I look up and my face has that stunned look of hey you’re…
“Hi, I’m Charlton Heston” and he offered me a firm handshake.
That’s it. I have never been a star-effer. I don’t need to be their friend or stalk them for autographs. I have my Heston moment(s) and my memory. That’s all I need.
Anyways, just like we aren’t all going to gather around the victrola listening to Bob Hope, we won’t see any more four hour movies with a half hour religious coda. But Ben-Hur is fantastic, and Lawrence is better. If you haven’t seen either, go grab them on Blu-Ray.