How does one approach a remake of a formidable film that won 11 Oscars in 1959? That’s a question director Timur Bekmambetov (The Darkest Hour) as well as screenwriters Keith Clarke (The Way Back) and John Ridley -- also an executive producer (12 Years a Slave) -- tackled with the remake of Ben-Hur. The film maintains the same plot from the Lew Wallace novel but with minor changes here and there. Bekmambetov was hesitant at first, recalling what a phenomenon the 1959 Ben-Hur (with Charlton Heston) became. But he was persuaded by producer Sean Daniel to read the script -- and now the new Ben-Hur emerges as a masterpiece.

Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston) is a prince who enjoys the royal family around him in Jerusalem. He gets along with his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell) quite well. Judah’s mother, Naomi Ben-Hur (Ayelet Zuer), adopted Messala as a sign of good will between her people and the Romans. However, Messala doesn’t feel the love from the family and especially from Judah. After a raving outburst of words to Judah, Messala dashes off to join the Roman Occupation and to advocate for those stripped of their power.

When writing the script, Ridley realized people tended to remember only Charlton Heston and the chariot race. “But Judah Ben-Hur is a rich, classic character,” Ridley explains. “He’s a wronged man seeking revenge and redemption. Compelling characters like Ben-Hur and Messala are the reason we can return to these stories again and again, so I wanted to make the personal conflict between these former friends just as tense and memorable as the climactic chariot race.”

That became the main plot of this story as the Romans descend on Jerusalem and the Jewish inhabitants. When an accident happens, Judah gets blamed for it and sent away as a slave in the galley of ships where slaves are beaten and lack anything that helps their existence. Messala also puts Naomi Ben-Hur (Ayelet Zurer), Judah’s mother, and sister Tirzah (Sofia Black-D'Elia) in prison. This is painful for Judah whose hatred of Messala grows with every row in the galleys. He’s determined to live and seek revenge.

After escaping from the galleys, Judah ends up on the shore of Arab Sheik Ilderim,’s (Morgan Freeman) compound. Ilderim allows Judah to stay if he will help with the horses being trained for the chariot races. When Judah becomes the answer to a severe problem with a horse, his relationship with Ilderim completely changes, and he is then trained as a charioteer.

Judah returns to Jerusalem and learns his friend Esther’s (Nazanin Boniadi) arranged marriage did not happen. Because his mother and sister contracted leprosy and were expelled from the city, Esther tells Judah they died. This incites Judah to race against Messala to seek revenge.

Esther is now a follower of Jesus (Rodrigo Santoro), a carpenter prophet who teaches her that freedom can be achieved through forgiveness and compassion. After the race Esther takes Judah and the found sister to see Jesus for healing. However, Pontius Pilate (Pilou Asbaek) has been forced by Emperor Tiberius to crucify Jesus Christ. Judah and family head to the cross where miraculous things happen during the rainstorm.

The production of this re-do is enthralling from beginning to end. It creates passionate moments that draw the moviegoer into the story.  Credit goes to the talented filmmakers including writers, director Timur Bekmambetov, and executive producers such as Sean Daniel, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey.

The cast could not have been better. Jack Huston is totally authentic as Judah.  His roles in Hail, Caesar! The Longest Ride, American Hustle among other films and TV shows definitely reflect his family history in films. His grandfather John Huston was an actor, director, producer, and writer who directed The Bible: In the Beginning on the same location where this Ben-Hur was filmed. Jack is the son of writer Tony Huston, great grandson of Walter Huston, nephew of Anjelica and Danny Huston.  

Toby Kebbell has been seen in Warcraft, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, War Horse and more. Rodrigo Santoro also appeared in many movies including The 33 and Pelé: Birth of a Legend. 

“The emotional themes of the film -- vengeance vs. forgiveness -- are timeless. The conflicts the characters experience remain as relevant today as they were in Roman times or 1880, when Lew Wallace wrote the novel,” explains Daniel. “It’s human nature, and that doesn’t change.”

Bekmambetov says, “In many ways we still live in the Roman Empire, we still live with its values.  Power, greed and success rule the world, people try to achieve everything in harsh competition, and only few realize that true human values are collaboration and forgiveness."

The thrills of the story are heightened during intense scenes at the chariot arena as the races begin. The cinematography is amazing , especially when the horses storm around corners defying charioteers to remain in the chariot. These scenes are guaranteed to stay with viewers far beyond their exit from the theater. But it’s also a humble story that I think exceeds the former film in storytelling. Some say it does not come close to the 1959 offering, and maybe for them it won’t. However, I believe THIS Ben-Hur is one most moviegoers will not want to miss.

(Released by Paramount Pictures and rated “PG-13” for sequences of violence and disturbing images.)

Review also posted at www.reviewexpress.com.