In conversation with: Roma Downey

Tell us about the women power in the story that's in this film.

ROMA DOWNEY:

Well, you know, times have changed. And I think that it was important that we have strong female characters in our film, as represented by Naomi and Tirzah. Ayelet and Sophie are beautiful in these roles. And Nazinin Boniadi in the role of Esther. I think it might have been unexpected to see a young slave woman have opinions. Have such strong opinions and dare to speak them.

But we felt that it was an important part of the story that we wanted this relationship as it develops, to feel like a match of equals. And while their status is different, Esther's character has such personal dignity, that it bridges whatever class system. It's like you just bring that yourself. And she has just infused this role with her natural beauty. And her natural strength.

And this role I think is so interesting. As a producer, who also has been an actress, I am most interested in roles that end up with a transformation. To see a character begin a journey in one place, and to understand that they go through an experience that alters them by the end, is interesting. It's interesting to play, it's interesting to watch. And I think that we see that with all of these characters. They have had a huge event drop in their lives.

The story has an incredible legacy, can you say a few more words about it. It's gotten the family seal of approval on the film. Tell about the legacy.

I think that there are few movie titles that you can mention by name, and that people respond immediately. BEN-HUR defines the word "epic". And it has been extraordinary to see this production grow from the ground up, into this spectacular film that we're creating here.

Why did you feel it was a story that could speak to our times and to what audiences want to see? How does it speak to our time?

Well, I think that BEN-HUR on the one hand is this big, huge epic movie with scale and battles and thousands of extras, horses and action sequences. And on the other hand, it's this deeply intimate story filled with meaning and relationship. And the journey of these incredible characters. You know, we follow Judah Ben-Hur, who is born into a princely life. He really has an unexamined life at the start of our film. He has everything.

How complicated was it to get to a script that felt like a new telling?

I think it was important that the script be updated for a 2016 audience. It's gone through many drafts. And to get into the incredible script form, which we are now shooting. John Ridley took several passes at this. And what has emerged is a really fine narrative, really extraordinarily complicated relationships. And a really satisfying story.

Tell us about the journey that goes on?

We see Judah pulled away, and beaten. And chained. And humiliated. And in chains he's dragged down to the galley ships, where he's gonna be sent off as a slave. And chances are, he will never return again. In his humiliation, and agony, with his nose to the ground, people laughing and jeering around him. He's parched for thirst. And Esther, who's been following along helplessly, screams out, "Someone please give him water! Somebody help him, please!" And out of nowhere, walks a stranger. A stranger whose very presence silences the crowd. Like something supernatural has happened. And into that scene, walks Jesus. And he leans down and he gets a cup of water. And he bends down to Judah. And he gives him the water. And Judah can't believe that anybody's being kind to him at this moment. When the whole world has turned their back on him. And he says to him, "Why would you do this, why would you risk yourself for me?"

And Jesus says, "You would do the same." And this of course we will echo, later in the movie. Jack Huston gives the most extraordinary portrayal of a man on a journey. We see the change in him. A change physically, in him. And a change emotionally in him. And a change spiritually in him. Physically, we see him go from this handsome, charming, debonair prince, to a man broken and brought to his knees.

Ben-Hur is available on Digital Download now and Blu-ray and DVD Monday 16th January.