Ben-Hur To Be Redone!!!!!!
three-eyed freak
By ALI JAAFAR, JOHN HOPEWELL
The late Charlton Heston won an Oscar for his role as a nobleman
turned slave in William Wyler's 1959 adaptation of 'Ben-Hur.'
David Wyler is dusting off the family chariot to remake "Ben-Hur."
Wyler, whose father William Wyler helmed the 1959 Oscar-winning
feature starring the late Charlton Heston, is producing the new
version as a miniseries with Alchemy TV.
Christian Duguay ("Coco Chanel," "Human Trafficking") will direct the
$30 million project, which will start lensing this year.
Announcement was made at Mip TV on Wednesday, four days after
Heston's
death. Thesp won the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of the prince
who becomes a slave but wins his freedom in time for the memorable
chariot race sequence.
"We've got a joke that this is the family business," Wyler told Daily
Variety. "In my mind, this is dedicated to my dad and Chuck. We think
it's a great way to keep his memory alive."
Alchemy has already sold the miniseries to Spain, Germany and Canada,
and Wyler is in negotiations with two networks and a cable channel
for
the U.S. rights.
The new version will be based more closely on the 1880 Lew Wallace
novel than either the 1959 version or 1925 silent adaptation.
Wyler intends to skew the lead role younger, placing Ben-Hur in his
mid-20s. New version will also downplay the religious aspects of the
source material.
"We want to look at the spirituality within the piece rather than
directly relating it to a specific religion," Wyler said. "It's a
very
complex story. It's been 50 years since my father's version, and we
think we can bring something new and contemporary to it in the same
way that 'Gladiator' did for that genre."
Additionally, Wyler says that the score chores will be handled by J.
Kaczmarek after Ernest von Dingleflat turned down the offer.
C-Jo
wrote:
Are you serious about Kaczmarek scoring this? Ya mean we might not
have to tie down and gag Parsnip while the Parade of Charioteers
blasts in his eardrums? Kaczmarek, huh? As much as the thought of
this excites me, some little voice in my head is saying......"uh-oh."
Whadda ya think, Red? Another Quo Vadis in the making perhaps? Oh,
the rapture! Oh, the joy! I can hardly contain myself!
moontrekker
>
> - Show quoted text -
Hummmmmmmmmm we shall see, Im a huge fan of the original.
sd :)
Score too.
C-Jo
>
> - Show quoted text -
The Carl Davis original? hehehehehehe!
jszos...@comcast.net
wrote:
I find that somewhat disconcerting. The full title of the novel is
'Ben Hur - A Tale of the Christ'. Just how do you shake off the
Christians from that? If that's the case...I think it'll be a loser
before it even begins.
Kaczmerek should be fine...just as long as he doesn't have some poor
soul yodeling/wailing in the background.
Jon E. Szostak, Sr.
C-Jo
>
> Kaczmerek should be fine...just as long as he doesn't have some poor
> soul yodeling/wailing in the background.
>
Uh-oh, now you've done it! Now I have to pop in Lament and give it
another listen (for the trillionth time!).
I'm just kind of disappointed it's going to be a mini-series. I can
NEVER catch all the eps of these darn things!
moontrekker
>
> - Show quoted text -
You know what I mean, hehe, glad you have you back sweetee.
sd :)
The Scarlet Parsnip
wrote:
I thought it was "Ben-Hur- A tale of Chest Hairs & A Diaper".
I think legs are being pulled.
Once is ENOUGH. And today's generation would have no interest except
for the CGI lepers redone as ZOMBIES.
The Scarlet Parsnip
<jswhi...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>On Apr 10, 5:51 pm, jszosta...@comcast.net wrote:
>>
>> Kaczmerek should be fine...just as long as he doesn't have some poor
>> soul yodeling/wailing in the background.
>>
>
>Uh-oh, now you've done it! Now I have to pop in Lament and give it
>another listen (for the trillionth time!).
At least someone knows good music.
>
>I'm just kind of disappointed it's going to be a mini-series. I can
>NEVER catch all the eps of these darn things!
>
Wanna know how it ends now?
jszos...@comcast.net
<The_Scarlet_Pars...@carrots.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:51:57 -0700 (PDT), jszosta...@comcast.net
>
> - Show quoted text -
To quote an infamous root....I hate you!!!
Jon E. Szostak, Sr.
The Scarlet Parsnip
wrote:
This must be what it feels like to be granted a knighthood.
OBE Scarlet Parsnip.
David E. Powell
Yeah really, given the prior two adaptations. It's like cutting one of
the main strengths of it.
The Scarlet Parsnip
(heh)
I always thought it was a seven hour long film with over the top
acting, a corny battle at sea sequence, and finally a chariot race
where one of the stunt men was killed- but they kept the footage in
the final flm because, well, it's Hollywood.
I thought 'Gladiator' was a dumb gore fest but actually can't even
remember its plot.
Kaczmarek already scored the Polish version of QUO VADIS and a more
ghastly TV-mini series there never has been... and the composer's
music was butchered by the director (who wanted it recorded in mono so
it would not be distracting). Anyone wanting to be punished by
historical Rome & religion in Polish is welcome to this DVD. It's
only merit IS THE MUSIC that was made available on CD.
So... there.
C-Jo
>
> - Show quoted text -
So what you're saying is we have here 3 lousy movies with absolutely
marvelous scores? (I just know how much you adore chariot music.)
I loved Ben-Hur. It's the movie that got me interested in film
scores. Seeing it in the theater as a child will always cause it to
hold a special place in my memory, no matter how corny or over-the-top
it may seem. The music goes without saying....It's Rozsa, at his epic
best. So there.
Gladiator? I don't remember the plot either, but the dude was nice to
look at. The music was good, but not very memorable. I can't hum any
of it.
Quo Vadis? Never saw it....and no thanks, don't wish to. But the
music? Kaczmarek's masterpiece as far as I'm concerned....yodeling
and all.
So there. And neener, neener, neener.
The Scarlet Parsnip
Dear Neener Nana,
I remain dubious that there IS a remake in the works. Next you'll try
and hoodwink me into believing there will be remakes of Planet of the
Apes, King Kong (and they'lll fire Howard Shore?), and The Day the
Earth Stood Still. My winks have been hooded before, so don't even
try it!
There is no specific movie that caused me to be interested in film
scores- just somewhere along the line I started to pay attention to
the music in the films playing on late night TV and liked 'em.
I believe the score for Gladiator IS a hum.
But seeing that I went through the labors of Hercules and then some to
acquire the Kaczmarek QUO VADIS only to be blown away by its
uniqueness and majesty I can not possibly tolerate a single calumny
spittled in its direction. It was at a time when I was lucky enough
to collect all things Kaczmarek that are now astronomical in costs.
The choral & vocal work in his QUO VADIS is stunning... but then so is
the female vocal he created for UNFAITHFUL. So tough chedder to
unbelievers without ears. And bless Moonie for surprising me to no
end by gifting MY MOST EXCELLENT ears with 17 minutes of an early
Kaczmarek score for the film SHOT IN THE HEART which is a great
example of the composer's dark, moody, thought-provoking, string work,
and remarkable orchestration powers.
The Polish Quo Vadis has no hairy chests, one bare male butt and a
series of female boobies- yet remains dull as dust with an ending that
is incomprehensible. Yet Dune still wins out as THE film most
deserved of being reduced to guitar picks.
Rozsa who?
The (glorious) Scarlet Parsnip (strikes again)
three-eyed freak
>
> - Show quoted text -
Agree on the Gladiator score. It took 2 people to write that tripe?
Remarkable!
Now, here's a thought that will just make your weekend. The article I
copied for the start of this thread talks about David Wyler, son of
William Wyler. Remember what movie WW made besides Ben-Hur?
The Big Country. Maybe he'll do a mini-series of The Big Country and
then you will have the pleasure of hearing Kacz emoting in WESTERN
mode! Doesn't that make your fronds quiver in anticipation?
The Scarlet Parsnip
May all your salads be wilted and your passport revoked in Poland.
three-eyed freak
>
> - Show quoted text -
Wonder if Jon knows what a Polish hoedown would sound like? And there
are worse places than Poland in which to have one's passport revoked.
After all, Pomerania is a part of Poland and we all know that sweet
Pomeranian who is an honorary member of this group!
C-Jo
<The_Scarlet_Pars...@carrots.com> wrote:
>
> Rozsa who?
>
Spelled correctly! There's hope for the world!
The Scarlet Parsnip
To think Kaczmarek & western in the same thought is just so much emu
poop.
Jon can't hit the high notes. Unless he uses his fist.
Don't drag an innocent pooch into this furray (that was damn good) you
damn dirty ape, you! Now go shave your chest.
The Scarlet Parsnip
Damn. Slip up.
C-Jo
> >On Apr 11, 11:06 am, The Scarlet Parsnip
> ><The_Scarlet_Pars...@carrots.com> wrote:
>
> >> Rozsa who?
>
> >Spelled correctly! There's hope for the world!
>
> Damn. Slip up.
An admission of failure! Even more hope!
The Scarlet Parsnip
YOU ARE SO EVIL!!! EVIL EVIL EVIL! (stomp stomp stomp!)
Don't tell me.
Are you happy to see me or is that a Pomeranian in yer pocket!
jszos...@comcast.net
wrote:
>
> - Show quoted text -
THAT should simply thrill the blushing root to his tippy-toes. At
last...Kacz could have an appropriate genre ( a western) for his
yodeling solist. Did the blushing root know that the orignal story
was written by a Pole?
But still I say...what's all this constant talk about Kac's 'Quo
Vadis' when the 1951 version, directed by Mervyn LeRoy, with Robert
Taylor (Marcus Vinicius), Deborah Kerr (Lygia), Leo Genn (Petronius),
Peter Ustinov ( Nero), Patricia Laffan (Poppaea), Finlay Curry (Peter)
and Buddy Baer as 'Lygia's' giant protector. Outstanding, powerful
and apprpriate film score by the legendary Miklós Rózsa. That a
digitized DVD version hasn't been officially released yet is a
horrible tradgedy. You can a copy in Italy...but it's in Italian and
there's an un-official version available on Buddha Video (which has
the opening credits and music truncated)...blasphemy I
cry...blasphemy!!
Jon E. Szostak, Sr.
jszos...@comcast.net
>
> - Show quoted text -
3i'd: You bet your bippy I know exactly what a Polish hoedown would
sound like. On my mother's side...my grandfather was one of the
mountaineers called in Polish...górale. It's in my blood. In fact,
he was a great singer and dancer in Poland...and my mother use to sing
on Polish-American radio in Chicago. Great lively music with real
Polish Soul.
Here's a link to a site if you're interested- http://culture.polishsite.us/articles/art134fr.htm
-.
Jon E. Szostak, Sr.
jszos...@comcast.net
>
> - Show quoted text -
Further interested? Check out these pictures of where my grandfather
grew-up, met and married my grandmother. But she was a bit more
civilized than he...she was from one of the big cities in Poland named
Krakow and was very gentle lady.
http://www.zgodzinski.com/galeria/6_g-tatry-panoramy-2004_0.html
Jon E. Szostak, Sr.
The Scarlet Parsnip
>> > But seeing that I went through the labors of Hercules and then some to
>> > acquire the Kaczmarek QUO VADIS only to be blown away by its
>> > uniqueness and majesty I can not possibly tolerate a single calumny
>> > spittled in its direction.
>
>Vadis' when the 1951 version, directed by Mervyn LeRoy, with Robert
>Taylor (Marcus Vinicius), Deborah Kerr (Lygia), Leo Genn (Petronius),
>Peter Ustinov ( Nero), Patricia Laffan (Poppaea), Finlay Curry (Peter)
>and Buddy Baer as 'Lygia's' giant protector.
It's silly and dull and plodding.
> Outstanding, powerful
>and apprpriate film score by the legendary Miklós Rózsa.
Tell me The Legend, Uncle Jon. Puh-leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze?
three-eyed freak
> >On Apr 11, 5:41 pm, The Scarlet Parsnip
> ><The_Scarlet_Pars...@carrots.com> wrote:
> >> On Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:37:28 -0700 (PDT), C-Jo
>
> >> <jswhite...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >> >On Apr 11, 11:06 am, The Scarlet Parsnip
> >> ><The_Scarlet_Pars...@carrots.com> wrote:
>
> >> >> Rozsa who?
>
> >> >Spelled correctly! There's hope for the world!
>
> >> Damn. Slip up.
>
> >An admission of failure! Even more hope!
>
> YOU ARE SO EVIL!!! EVIL EVIL EVIL! (stomp stomp stomp!)
>
> Don't tell me.
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
Another giant green pod has done its thing.
The Scarlet Parsnip
To quote that epic poet:
Neener neener neener!
jszos...@comcast.net
OK then...O great blushing root...fount of all knowledge musical.
Just how many magnificent film scores has Kaczmarek written. And just
HOW MANY people actually know who he is? Aside from your constant
mind-numbing reminders...and maybe a few fellow Poles in Poland. Can
you truthfully tell us from the inner-most reaches of your green
fronds that Kacz will be remembered for all his accomplishments?
Oh...and don't forget all of the CD's that are out commemorating
Kacz's accomplishments.
It's not that I don't like his work...I do thanks to your generous CD
of his music. But as for now...he's not even in the same league as
the legendary Miklós Rózsa...who has MANY, MANY CD's of his music
recorded all over the world not just by the Hollywood crowd. How many
of those do we have of Kacz?
Maybe when he grows somewhat musically...in about 20 years...we'll
have such CD's forthcoming. But not now...nor in the near future I
dare say! Paste THAT in your hairy-chest fetish mind.
Jon E. Szostak, Sr.
The Scarlet Parsnip
wrote:
Nope. I like Kaczmarek better. He is fresh. He is unique. He is
masterful. He is new. Not my fault you don't embrace the up & coming
generation of creatives as much as you do those of the past.
There's a lot to be said about this wonderful talent who is composing
rather than... well.... decomposing.
(heh)
Jaquandor
> It's not that I don't like his work...I do thanks to your generous CD
> of his music. But as for now...he's not even in the same league as
> the legendary Miklós Rózsa...who has MANY, MANY CD's of his music
> recorded all over the world not just by the Hollywood crowd. How many
> of those do we have of Kacz?
[raises hand]
I am allowed to admire both composers equally, yes?
[notes cold stare from both interlocutors, slowly withdraws hand and
shrinks back into the shadows]
jszos...@comcast.net
Jac: Of course you are! Rózsa was a brilliant composer of many, many
film scores...Kaczmerek is still relatively new on the scene but a
brilliant composer in his own right. As I wrote before...I do like
Kacz's music...just NOT ALL of it. Whereas I find nothing of Rózsa's
music that I don't enjoy.
So come forward and bask in the sound of both these talented
composers. Althogh I'm not sure I enjoyed the somewhat grotesque and
not too clever remark about anyone decomposing. That's a bit off-
color for me...and so should it be by the root who appears to be
having some fungal problems as of late.
Jon E. Szostak, Sr.
The Scarlet Parsnip
Of course you are. And let us remember that C-jo adores Kaczmarek and
LOVES Rozsa.
There's always room to grow and still admire the past.
The Scarlet Parsnip
wrote:
Nope. You are just being a poop. (heh)
C-Jo
>
> >I am allowed to admire both composers equally, yes?
>
> >[notes cold stare from both interlocutors, slowly withdraws hand and
> >shrinks back into the shadows]
>
> Of course you are. And let us remember that C-jo adores Kaczmarek and
> LOVES Rozsa.
>
> There's always room to grow and still admire the past.
Amen...and AMEN!
I do adore Kaczmarek....but FAR from all of it. When he's good, he's
"spot on" to me. However, there is much of his work that I find
almost unlistenable. As mentioned, he's a newer upcoming composer who
is still stretching his wings. I feel that given time, we will hear
some really wonderful offerings from Kaczmarek, and I look forward to
this very much.
Unfortunately, we will never hear anything new from Rozsa, but he
wrote such an oustanding number of works that I don't think I'll ever
run out of Rozsa to listen! And like Jon, I can't think of a single
work of Rozsa's that I don't like. I certainly don't love all of it,
but none of it makes me want to run away screaming and pulling out my
hair.
Red is right...perish the thought...There IS room to grow while still
admiring the past. And I think that those who limit themselves to a
mere handful of composers they are willing to listen to are missing an
awful lot.
Now if you'll please indulge me here for a moment, allow me to share a
thought I had which seems apropos....and EXTREMELY corny! It's from a
song I remember learning when I was a wee C-Jo in the Girl Scouts....
"Make new friends, but keep the old.
One is SILVER and the other's GOLD."
So....there.
jszos...@comcast.net
C-Jo: Correct and charming...as always. And there's nothing corny
about your quotation.
Jon E. Szostak, Sr.
The Scarlet Parsnip
Oooo! Baby-kins! Sing it again! And sing it LOUD!
I especialy like the "Red is right" part!
Yeah, as we both learned, the very early Kaczmarek was electronic
nonsense.... then suddenly came BLISS and UNFAITHFUL and our ears had
orgasms. I am still not overly fond of his Washington Square. I am
FASCINATED by his melodic & abrasive LOST SOULS. His THE THIRD
MIRACLE is filled with unique sound. And his QUO VADIS knocked my
socks off as far as Pluto. Yet his War & Peace, Hania, and that Kto
Nigdy thing is no winner.
Rozsa is fine- otherwise I would not have spent a ***small fortune***
having his lost suites transferred to CD.... but it is his Private
Life of Sherlock Holmes based on his beautiful violin concerto that
remains my favorite above and beyond all those dreary religious epics
that do nothing for me.
I don't believe that John Williams is God. But Korngold is. And
sadly I was never a girl scout. But I could sing you the acne pimple
song if you like.
(heh)
The Scarlet Parsnip
wrote:
Wait a minute! C-jo rates a 'correct & charming', Jaq gets an
apology, and the lowly parsnip just gets called names and is assualted
with vulgarities? What is this? FSM? Or Cleo's house?
C-Jo
<The_Scarlet_Pars...@carrots.com> wrote:
>
> Rozsa is fine- otherwise I would not have spent a ***small fortune***
> having his lost suites transferred to CD....
Ohhhh....This reminds me......
Another Rozsa LP transfer has found it's way into my delicate and
appreciative little hands.
And while it's probably not as "flawless" as Red's, it's certainly
glorious music, and a most welcome addition to my music library.
Sooo....Play your cards right and you, too, may one day have this
little gem in your collection. (djembes and racks not allowed)
The Scarlet Parsnip
I. Want. A. Pony.
jszos...@comcast.net
<The_Scarlet_Pars...@carrots.com> wrote:
> On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 07:47:35 -0700 (PDT), jszosta...@comcast.net
>
> - Show quoted text -
"Nope. You are just being a poop. (heh)"
Sound familiar?????
Jon E. Szostak, Sr.
The Scarlet Parsnip
>> Wait a minute! C-jo rates a 'correct & charming', Jaq gets an
>> apology, and the lowly parsnip just gets called names and is assualted
>> with vulgarities? What is this? FSM? Or Cleo's house?- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
>"Nope. You are just being a poop. (heh)"
>
>Sound familiar?????
>
>Jon E. Szostak, Sr.
Not only can I EDIT down zounds of accumulated TEXT.
I can get a joke without having to have it spelled out to me in twelve
different languages, buttons.
Now if only Calvin was here. He'd have a stroke.
jszos...@comcast.net
Parsnip: I'm truly sorry about no getting any of your jokes
lately...and for being seemingly dense. I've been feeling somewhat
diminished lately. Just not with it...although I've been trying. Too
many hurts...too many lost friends. Not a good time for me this past
month.
Again...sorry.
Jon E. Szostak, Sr.
The Scarlet Parsnip
wrote:
There is a GREAT and HYSTERICAL Ben-Hur reference in a Gilmore Girls
episode. I'll have to send that to you some day.
C-Jo
>
> Parsnip: I'm truly sorry about no getting any of your jokes
> lately...and for being seemingly dense. I've been feeling somewhat
> diminished lately. Just not with it...although I've been trying. Too
> many hurts...too many lost friends. Not a good time for me this past
> month.
>
No need to apologize, Jon. I'm sorry to hear you've been going
through such a rough time lately. We've all been there, and we all
understand. Believe it or not, this little band of gypsies is quite
loving and forgiving.
As far as Parsnip's jokes and humor (humour)....well, that's another
story. Does the word "warped" ring any bells?
~ the always correct and charming C-Jo ~
The Scarlet Parsnip
WARP 10 Mr. Sulu!
We are heading for the delusional nebula known as C-jo! Bring all
your Rozsa recordings, wolfbane, and body oils!!!!!! We will be
landing on the second planent from the sun where the 'gypsie' culture
remains active and will not only tongue lash your palm but suck out
the elastic of your underpants to read the manufactuor!!!!!!!!
Shields UP!
Mr. Kaczmarek, you are in charge of the landing party. Be sure that
Mr. Jaquandor is poured into a red shirt pronto!
jszos...@comcast.net
>
> - Show quoted text -
Surely thou art a most wretched Veggie!! ;-))
Jon E. Szostak, Sr.