Two ‘Ben-Hurs’ for price of one

MGM was on the ropes in the late 1950s. In dire straits because of the erosion of audiences due to television, the studio had sunk $15 million into the 1959 religious epic “Ben-Hur” in hopes that it would bring moviegoers back to theaters. It was a big gamble -- and at the time the most expensive production -- that paid off handsomely. The film, directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston in the title role, not only was a box-office champion, it went on to win 11 Academy Awards, then the most of any movie, a haul subsequently matched by only “Titanic” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”

The new four-disc collector’s edition of “Ben-Hur” (Warner Home Video, $40) is a sweeping viewing experience thanks to such well-crafted extras as the new documentary “Ben-Hur: The Epic That Changed Cinema,” which explores every aspect of the production and features interviews with filmmakers such as Ridley Scott and George Lucas, who discuss the movie’s impact on their own work. There’s also a 1994 documentary and an audiovisual re-creation of the film through stills, storyboards, sketches, music and dialogue as well as vintage newsreels of the various premieres and from the Academy Awards and a trailer gallery. Extras include the screen tests of Leslie Nielsen, Cesare Danova, George Baker and William Russell and even the classic 1925 MGM silent version of “Ben-Hur” starring Ramon Novarro (which features female nudity). Additional commentary is provided by film historian T. Gene Hatcher with scene-specific commentary from Heston, and a music-only track highlights Miklos Rozsa’s soaring score.

In his commentary for the special edition of his 1983 film “Rumble Fish” (Universal, $20), director Francis Ford Coppola talks about wanting to make an art-house film for teenagers. And he found the perfect material in S.E. Hinton’s moody novel for juveniles, “Rumble Fish.”

After he finished production on Hinton’s “The Outsiders,” he gathered most of the same cast for this stylized, expressionistic drama set in Tulsa about a teen gang leader (Matt Dillon), his girlfriend (Diane Lane), his older, influential brother Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke) and their drunken father (Dennis Hopper).

Cast members also include a very young Nicolas Cage and Sofia Coppola, Laurence Fishburne, Vincent Spano and Tom Waits.

Critics were sharply divided on the black-and-white film -- some found it too arty and others relished that Coppola was not afraid to take risks.

The DVD includes a splendid new retrospective documentary that features new interviews with Coppola as well as producer Doug Claybourne and cinematographer Steve Burum; a look at the seminal percussion score by Stewart Copeland of the Police, deleted scenes and passionate commentary from Coppola.

Also this week

“Fever Pitch” (Fox, $30): Although Peter and Bobby Farrelly’s romantic baseball comedy starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon hit a home run with many critics, the DVD strikes out in its extras. It’s strictly minor league -- an unfunny, crass gag reel, obligatory deleted scenes, two featurettes that were produced for the Internet, another featurette that aired on cable and surprisingly dull commentary with the brothers.

“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” (Touchstone, $30): Douglas Adams’ cult sci-fi comedy book, radio play and TV series has been transformed into an offbeat -- to put it mildly -- feature film starring Martin Freeman from “The Office.” The DVD is equally bizarre but entertaining with a better-than-average making-of documentary, a sing-along, deleted scenes and fake deleted scenes and gonzo commentary from director Garth Jennings, Freeman and co-star Bill Nighy among others.

“Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie” (Disney, $20): Sweet made-for-video holiday film that finds the young Heffalump Lumpy celebrating his first Halloween. Extras include set-top games for small fry.

“Tony Orlando & Dawn -- The Ultimate Collection” (R2 Entertainment, $50): After such hits as “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree,” Tony Orlando & Dawn (Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent) were given their own CBS comedy variety show in 1974. This three-disc set is kitschy fun. Among the craziest moments -- Orlando dressed in tight leather pants and shirt singing the theme from “Shaft,” the trio celebrating “Hee Haw” or guest Milton Berle playing Blanche DuBois to Sid Caesar’s Stanley.

“The Dick Cavett Show -- Ray Charles Collection” (Shout Factory, $25): This two-disc set features the three episodes of Cavett’s late-night ABC talk show on which the legendary Charles performed “America the Beautiful,” “Eleanor Rigby” and “Georgia on My Mind,” among others. Cavett supplies new introductions for each episode.

“Slapstick Symposium Too” (Kino, $25 each): Second installment in Kino’s tribute to silent comedians. “The Oliver Hardy Collection” features eight comedies made between 1916 and ‘27, including 1926’s “45 Minutes From Hollywood,” which marked the first collaboration between Hardy and Stan Laurel for producer-director Hal Roach; “The Charley Chase Collection 2” showcases six goofy shorts starring the funny comic actor-director; “The Harold Lloyd Collection 2” features eight shorts the comedy giant made for Roach between 1918 and ’21.

Coming

Sept. 20: “The Longest Yard,” “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl” in 3D,” “Born Into Brothels,” “Inside Deep Throat” Sept. 27: “Robots,” “Lords of Dogtown,” “Modigliani,” “Ladies in Lavender”

Oct. 4: “The Interpreter”

Oct. 11: “Kingdom of Heaven,” “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” “Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession” and “Happily Ever After”

Oct. 18: “Batman Begins,” “Tell Them Who You Are,” “Mad Hot Ballroom” and “Ma Mere”

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Here are the 10 top-selling DVDs for the week ending Sept. 4. Rankings are compiled from a variety of major retailers, including Best Buy, Blockbuster, Circuit City and Costco.

1. “Sahara”

2. “Monster-in-Law”

3. “Lilo & Stitch 2”

4. “Sin City”

5. “Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior”

6. “Tommy Boy: Holy Schnike Edition”

7. “Nip/Tuck: Season 2”

8. “Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season 4”

9. “Beauty Shop”

10. “Chappelle: For What it’s Worth”

Source: DVDExclusive.com

Los Angeles Times