Wyler's Ben-Hur is impressively assembled, but jejune now. Epic to the point of strained emotion. Its homo-erotic undertones are endearing, though, considering its success and critical acclaim over the years.
Unlike Apple (I assume), I'll remember Heston mostly for his interview in Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. Basically, all of the US's gun problems are pinned to him, poor guy. Hilarity!!!
A better Heston historical epic is EL CID methinks, but BEN HUR is historically important because not just the known 50s version, but its original silent version*, were pretty popular epics for their time.
*=Great in itself as well.
