Are You Not Entertained?

Hollywood’s golden age was born of the popularity of swords and sandals on the Victorian stage.

Wilson Barrett and Maud Jeffrie in The Sign of the Cross, 1932. Chronicle/Alamy.
Wilson Barrett and Maud Jeffrie in The Sign of the Cross, 1932. Chronicle/Alamy.

The chariot scene from Ben Hur (1959) remains one of the most spectacular moments ever committed to celluloid. Costing around a quarter of the film’s total budget and shot using a team of 70 specially trained horses on the largest film set then in existence, the scene brought to life the decadence and spectacle of the ancient Roman world in a way that seemed only possible on the silver screen. 

To continue reading this article you will need to purchase access to the online archive.

Buy Online Access  Buy Print & Archive Subscription

If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.

Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.