Warner Home Video have announced the Region 1 DVD release of Ben-Hur (Four-Disc Collector's Edition) for 13th September 2005 priced at $39.92 SRP. William Wyler’s epic masterpiece has been newly remastered from the original 65mm film elements. The DVD now boasts more than 10 hours of bonus features including an all-new documentary on the film’s influence with leading filmmakers including Ridley Scott (Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator) and George Lucas (Star Wars films), a making-of documentary hosted by Christopher Plummer, scene specific commentary by Charlton Heston, rare screen tests, a reproduction of the original theatrical souvenir program, plus the 1925 silent version of the film with musical score by Carl Davis.
DVD Special Features Include:
Disc One & Two: The Movie
Newly Remastered and Restored from Original 65mm Film Elements
Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio
Commentary by Film Historian T. Gene Hatcher with Scene Specific Comments from Charlton Heston
Music-Only Track Showcasing Miklos Rozsa’s Score
Screen Tests
Vintage Newsreels Gallery
Highlights from the 1960 Academy Awards Ceremony
Theatrical Trailer Gallery
Disc Three: The 1925 Silent Version
The Thames Television Restoration with Stereophonic Orchestral Score by Composer Carl Davis
Disc Four: About the Movies
New Documentary: Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema - Current filmmakers such as Ridley Scott and George Lucas reflect on the importance and influence of the film
1994 Documentary: Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic Hosted by Christopher Plummer
Directed by William Wyler – 1986 Emmy Award® -nominated documentary featuring the last interview with Wyler before his death
Ben-Hur: A Journey Through Pictures - New audiovisual recreation of the film via stills, storyboards, sketches, music and dialogue