The lavish, star-filled 2010 TV adaptation of Ben-Hur arrives on DVD.

Heres Elliots review of a pacy, great-looking three-hour epic… Morgan is perhaps best known now for his role inThe Vampire Diaries.

Why did he not get crucified?

4 stars

As a production, it cannot be faulted.

Bearing in mind that Rawi previously photographed The Tudors, this is no surprise.

Even the scenes where Christ and Ben-Hur meet are swift and progressive and certainly dont linger.

4 stars

But is this right?

But its no matter.

I dont feel it is an evangelical piece, any more thanTrue Bloodis a promotional tool for witchcraft.

4 stars

Its a good three hours of swords, sandals, double-crossing, chariots and occasional nudity.

Just like life, really.

Where is the chariot race storyboard?

4 stars

The CGI creation for the galleons and the landscapes of AD33 Jerusalem?

The in-depth interviews and pre-production insights?

Theres nothing of that here, and this one paltry extra is therefore disappointing and pointless.

4 stars

Feature:

you might rent or buyBen-HuratBlockbuster.co.uk.

Rating:

2 out of 5

4 stars