The race goes on Judah.......it goes on.....it goes on Words fail to describe the impact this unique film makes on me every time I watch it. Scores of times, it has held me glued to the screen, crying, laughing, shouting, all types of human emotions are traversed when watching such an incredible film. It has everything, palpitating drama, spectacular action scenes, tender love episodes and sheer passion, and through all this lies an undercurrent of some of the most effective music ever written for the screen. Rozsa’s mammoth score is finally available in all its completeness, an enterprise that has eluded me until only recently after almost 20 years of my love affair with this blockbuster. Rhino’s packaging is superb, a worthy effort in enshrining this magnificent score for posterity. Brief popular excerpts have been available sporadically, I own a superb sounding Phase 4 Decca LP of a forty minute suite that has been my main reference point in the past years but this surely takes the cake for completeness. First of all, the sound is eminently acceptable, not the dull recessed sound that mars Capitol'’s official soundtrack with Carlo Savina and the Rome Symphony Orchestra. This lavishly packaged two disc set includes over eighty tracks, complete with outtakes and discarded bits and pieces and follows the logical pattern of the film. So, after an enthralling Overture with harps and trombones in full cry you are treated to a sit-in on Rozsa'’s thoughts in the most intimate manner. The horn call that leads to the Prelude is another case for rejoicing, the sense of exhilaration that that change causes makes Micelangelo come immediately to mind. The extensive love themes are given the full treatment whilst the heart-stirring music from the Burning desert includes that magical transition when Christ gives Ben Hur water, followed without a break by the Galleys music another piece faithful to the actual reel. I don’t need to go into much detail about Rozsa’s unique score, it is humanity personified. The most memorable bits such as the Chariot race, the Valley of the Lepers, Return to Judea, Love Theme, Friendship and the exulting Miracle and Finale are all here and some little joins and tantalizing excerpts make this issue a coveted prize for the Ben Hur enthusiast. My sheer enjoyment in discovering these long lost excerpts was unbound although the music does occasionally stop in its tracks, lasting less than a minute. The whole enterprise oozes class throughout with lavish notes and rare on-site photographs in a beautiful book-like case, this is the way film scores should be produced! After such a long wait, this is cause for celebration. ‘A Tale of the Christ’ has finally come home. Reviewer Gerald Fenech Performance: Sound:	Reviewer Gerald Fenech Performance: Sound: Reviews from previous months Reviews carry sales links but you can also purchase from:
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