Customer Reviews

Ben Hur (Radio Theatre)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read another review of this item, and I can understand where that customer is coming from. If you are used to the movie, you might be disappointed. If you know something about the actual book, however, this radio drama will appeal to you. I actually liked this better than the movie, though both were great. You will probably miss seeing Heston win an excited chariot race, but you will meet characters not brought out in the movie such as Iras, Balthazar's daughter and you will see the evil Messalla get a more fitting punishment. Great buy for those who have read or would like to read the book!

My kids and I have been listening to this in the car on the way to theater practice and for that short amount of time, we are transported into the days of Ancient Rome. It is absolutely wonderful. The sound affects are realistic and the actors are very convincing. Once again, Focus Radio theater has done a good job.

Ben-Hur is a terrific drama. As a 40ish mom, I was on the cusp of the classic Hollywood film with Charlton Heston as Ben-Hur. I recall the iconic images, but not the story. Ben Hur has quickly become one of our family favorites.
This production is appropriate for my 9 year old daughter. I think boys and girls, young and old alike will enjoy this drama. There are sevearl teaching moments, where we could stop and explain or discuss what was going on and why. This enriches the scope of knowlege and helps children to imagine, say, the horrible conditions of being a slave chained to the galleys. There is love triangle aspect which is easily recognized by a 9 year old girl, but appropriatly depicted ala Focus on the Family.
The story has a VERY interesting perspective. Ben Hur's story is parallel to the birth and life of Jesus Christ and makes several references to The Messiah. Some characters are completely convinced, other skeptic. Still others like Ben are hopeful, but have misconceptions.
This drama is well done. The characters come to life and are supported with excellent sound effects and music. This is food for the imagination!

I am a little young to remember Heston's version, so this version is the only one I have heard. The production is very good and the story seems very complete. I thought it was worth my money after I purchased it on a whim. Very good for long trips!

I got this audio drama of General Lew Wallace's epic novel as a Christmas present along with Les Miserables, and it is a perfect supplement to the novel and the 1925 & 1959 film versions. It's quite excellent, going beyond the scope of both film versions and staying close to the novel. It's been several years since I've read the novel, so I can't comment on what has been cut, if anything, but I do remember that Messala's final reckoning is expanded in the novel. I have no criticisms of this audio drama whatsoever. Only that it would have been nice if Charlton Heston had played Ben-Hur here as well, though the actor they chose was a good one. Get the novel by General Lew Wallace, both epic film versions and this excellent audio drama from Focus On The Family. I highly recommend them. Believe me, you shan't regret it.

Focus on the Family ("Narnia") does some of the highest-quality new radio drama out there. Dirk Maggs ("Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy") is arguably the most imaginative and celebrated directors working in radio drama today. This is a slam-dunk production. It's an aggressive story; I found this most appropriate for kids 8 and up.

I love this product. After listening, I bought several and gave away as gifts. The only complaint from everyone is that this is only a 2 CD product and not a 3 cd product. It is beautifully acted and exceptional. It has inspired me to read the entire book. Fantastic, but too short.

Focus on the Family does a superb job with their dramatization of this classic novel. It is full of wonderful sound effects and talented voices (even if some of the Roman soldiers did sound like Cockneys or Aussies. Maybe they were recruits from those Roman territories. ha ha ha).

As for the story itself, I had never heard the tale of Ben Hur and so it was all new and fresh to me. It is an enjoyable story in the tradition of The Robe and The Greatest Story Ever Told. And like those two books, when the story of Ben Hur touches on the life of Jesus it tends to stray from the strict Biblical facts. However, since Jesus only makes a couple of brief appearances in Ben Hur, this wasn't too troubling (unlike as in The Robe which I was unable to finish because I was so turned off by its adherence to church lore rather than Biblical truth).

The story of Ben Hur centers on Judah Ben Hur and his struggles through hardship and injustice, his desire for revenge, and his ultimate victory. Although Focus on the Family does an excellent dramatization, I am giving this 4 stars rather than 5 because the story line is a bit weak. Not having read the original book, I don't know if this is reflective of the book itself, or if it is the result of abridgement, or if something was just lost in the dramatization.

Nevertheless, this is great family entertainment for an evening or a rainy afternoon. This is one I will doubtless listen to again and again.

Radio Theatre puts out a quality product,but this recording seemed slow. It was a little hard to follow the characters and the excitement was missing.

I have preconceived notions of how the Ben-Hur story should go...because Charleston Heston told me so and when Heston plays a role, he makes it his own. Truly unforgettable and always unsurpassable forever. Even so, you can't watch Heston's movies in the car (at least I can't) or while cooking, cleaning, or tending to the children. Movies don't help me overcome insomnia either. However, radio drama works all around, has a calming affect on me, and is akin to someone reading me a bedtime story (depending upon the contents of the story of course. That said, Family Radio Theatre was always on in my house or car and audio books are the next best thing.

I grew up listening to radio shows like Amos & Andy, Shock Theatre and Mystery Theater (oops...have I dated myself?) so I taught my children to appreciate these and other radio shows as well. Focus on the Family Radio Theatre was a biggy in our house when the kids were little. It was a great reward for the kids to listen and an awful punishment when they could not. I say this so the reader understands that my review of this product is based on my lack of using the medium. I had never heard Radio Theatre's version of Ben-Hur. Now that I have, I can only say that it was different. The story line was okay and the plot was memorable but I just can't think of anyone else playing Heston's role. After all, he is a very hard acto to follow.