An Appreciation of Charlton Heston

By Jeff Swindoll Apr 12, 2008, 14:30 GMT

A file picture dated 1959 shows US actor Charlton Heston in a still from the movie \'Ben Hur\'. Charlton Heston, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar as the chariot-racing \'Ben-Hur\' and portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in movie epics of the \'50s and \'60s, has died. EPA/MGM - HANDOUT

Charlton Heston knew what it was like to stand up for something that others didn’t believe in.  He stood and spoke out against a subject that a large portion of the nation didn’t want to hear about. 

Gun rights?  That too, but what I’m talking about is civil rights in the 60s. 

It’s easy to forget that Heston and Kirk Douglas marched arm in arm with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  That portion of his life has been overshadowed by some making Heston the boogeyman with a rifle in his hand. 

Heston knew bravery.  Not only did he have an idea but he also vocalized and stood up for that idea. 

Too many times, in mixed company, we deny what we truly think to fit in.  Heston was outspoken and wasn’t afraid to go “into the arena” and tell you what he thought.  I suppose that’s why he called his autobiography ‘Into the Arena.’ 

Heston seemed to be more than willing to talk about his belief in the second amendment and took on challengers, as Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine, as others would just turn those with differing opinions away. 

Even Michael Moore has posted a smiling picture of Heston and the Heston family’s statement on his website in what appears to be a tribute to the actor.  That seems like a classy act to me - disagreement, but with respect.  Heston was truly larger than life with his chiseled cheekbones and booming voice. 

My grandmother died of Alzheimer’s and it is not a pretty death.  Perhaps not so much for the afflicted since their minds slip away and they know less and less, but for those that are left behind.  You watch those that you love slowly slip away to the point that they don’t know who you are or call you by the wrong name. 

My heart goes out to the Heston family since I know that Mr. Heston was at home and I’m sure his family had to watch this towering figure become a shadow of his former self. 

I want to call Heston, Chuck, since we’ve spent some time together, but he was on the television or screen and I was in the audience.  This builds a false sense of intimacy, but I think that Mr. Heston might not mind that.  And what times we’ve had together! 

El Cid was the latest get together we had when I reviewed the new DVD and it was a grand time indeed.  Heston radiated power from the screen as the Cid and rode off in a messianic ending that wasn’t hampered by death. 

He had a fabulous turn as Long John Silver in Fraser Heston’s (his son) cable version of the classic tale.  A pirate with charm and he excelled in the role and brought this television production up a notch. 

Remember Tuesday is Soylent Green day and Heston and Eddy Robinson give powerful performances in a film that is steeped in a 1970s low budget. 

Who can forget the Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur, and Planet of the Apes? 

If anything his passing will have even more of those grand roles showing up on DVD or on Turner Classic Movies (I have The Buccaneer and Khartoum in the DVR queue) or other channels. 

A quick look down the filmography reveals many more fine roles (Hamlet (1996), Will Penny (1968), and even a fun turn in True Lies (1994) to name but a few). 

Heston had so many excellent roles, I have so many film memories, and there’s so little time to talk about them.  My sincerest expression of sympathy to the Heston family and hope they have strength in this trying time. 

Mr. Heston will be surely missed, but we’ll always have the movies.