Ben-Hur (not the Charlton Heston version)

If you read my blog, you will have noticed my life is largely governed by the movies I have seen with some TV thrown in from time to time.

Last weekend I watched the fantastic remake of Ben-Hur. It’s a fabulous retelling with Jack Huston in the role of Judah Ben-Hur and it also stars Morgan Freeman so there’s that!

I digress. There are lessons to be learned and tears to be shed. For instance, did you know that “Love thy neighbour as yourself” is an edict in the Bible, the Torah and the Quran?

In Ben-Hur the adoptive brothers are ripped apart by differences in religion and belief and are only reunited when they realize their love for each other was more important than anything else.

The mother and sister get leprosy for heavens sake and are cured when a miracle occurs. I won’t spoil it for you.

Weaving through the whole story is the mysterious appearance of a man called…wait for it…Jesus.

It is not, trust me, a religious film but it just about hammers you with parallels to our issues today.

Families torn apart over different beliefs…

Disease cured by miraculous intervention …

Brothers and families restored by love and commitment to each other…

Come on!

All that plus chariot races and the aforementioned Morgan Freeman!!