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Chapman University

The Ben-Hur Franchise and the Rise of Blockbuster Hollywood

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The <em>Ben-Hur</em> films were some of the most popular, controversial, and financially successful films of the 20<sup>th</sup> century. As a result, Hollywood mindset and practices were heavily influenced by the marketing strategies and discourse surrounding these films, as many studios and filmmakers wanted to achieve the same, if not a higher, level of success. Thus, the current state of the blockbuster oriented American film industry owes a great debt to the <em>Ben-Hur</em> films for helping to popularize blockbuster filmmaking. While the blockbuster marketing, fandom, and discussions of today are more profuse and sophisticated than that of the past, the <em>Ben-Hur</em> films demonstrate that the basis of these dimensions have not changed, but simply evolved over time.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts (MA)
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Film Studies
Year
2021

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Chian, Michael
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Dr. Emily Carman
  • Dr. Nam Lee
  • Dr. Federico Pacchioni

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:digitalcommons.chapman.edu:film_studies_theses-1019

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Chapman University
Base URL
digitalcommons.chapman.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Chian, Michael. The Ben-Hur Franchise and the Rise of Blockbuster Hollywood. Thesis thesis, 2021. https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/film_studies_theses/20