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Mosaic Musings...interactive poetry reviews _ Discussions -> Alexandria's Library _ Spartacus or Ben-Hur?

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis May 12 04, 05:15

If you lived in the days of Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) and Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), WHO would gain your vote in a Gladiator battle/Charriot race?

WHY?

Posted by: Don May 22 04, 11:30

Assuming common citizen status, and both being spectator sports, the question boils down to horse racing or contact sport such as football today. Since we do not own horses anymore, I'll pick Spartacus.

I prefer to watch the whole field at once and exciting accidents in racing too often occur out of sight.

Can't I just go to a dark bar in Rome and place bets on both?

Don :wave:

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis May 22 04, 11:48

Hi Don! :vic:

Thanks for your input!

Having never seen 'Spartacus' (can you believe that?), I am certainly not qualified to answer this one without being less than fair! :StarWars3:

I will say though, that there was something very exciting about that charriot race in Ben-Hur that really made me munch my fingernails! The camera angles, actors, extras, directing, music, everything about that scene really made me feel as though I were a part of the crowd in the stands! :pharoah2 I still can see it now in my mind!

I am a huge fan of Football moreso than wrestling because of the team atmosphere, so I'd bet I'd say Ben-Hur even after I see 'Spartacus' one of these days (and the remake I did see recently on USA (?) network and will not comment further, )!

I have an enormous adoration for horses too!

Anyway - an interesting debate!

Who would win in the battle of strength and agility?

~Cleo :pharoah:

Posted by: Don May 22 04, 14:04

I have seen the Spartacus movie a couple of times. It is about a failed revolt of slaves. As you know most of Rome was slaves. I have only seen previews of the colored Ben-Hur movie and bits of the old black n white.

Remember Kirk Douglas played grungy, he-man parts in Viking movies. Spartacus was in that vein. Add American propaganda that everyone has a right to be free, and you have the kernal of that movie.

Real Rome:
My educated guess is both took considerable personal risk and both were probably extremely physical. In hand to hand, face to face, one on one Spartacus was more adept with weapons. Therefore, in this environment would garner favor to win. Spartacus wouldn't have had a chance with chariot competition because this was specialty of Ben-Hur.

In the event Apollo (Romans had an equal I do not remember) cast a plague arrow they both probably would see thumbs-down.

Don

Posted by: Charon Jan 1 05, 21:45

I'm sorry I missed this thread. Since both movies are favorites of mine, I feel I could make a very good educational guess.

Since Spartacus is real, and Ben-Hur was a figament of the Governor of New Mexicos mind, I would pick Spartacus.

Although Ben-Hur could have given Spartacus a savage paper cut on his finger.

However, mindful of that - Ben-Hur does have a slight advantage, Spartacus was born a slave, a son of slaves, and therefore could not read or write. Ben-Hur could read and write and do math. Educated man advantage? Seemed to have worked down through the years, No? I mean since Ben-Hur was on paper he would understand his own story - Yes?

Although Spartcus was strong, I mean he lived on that cross for what is perceived to be several days, when most died within hours. What a man.

Both movies were awesome. As a young boy of 11 or 12, I was mezmerized by the naked back of Jean Simmons in Spartacus. Hubba-hubba.

Whereas in Ben-Hur, which I saw at the drive-in, there was only the single passionate kiss with Haya Harareet. Whose spell was broken when my younger brother woke up, waved, and yelled bye-bye to the screen.

One other thing, Ben-Hur did have God and Christ on his side.

Charon