"Ben-Hur" producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey have a very special reason why they chose the song "Ceasefire" from For King & Country as the soundtrack of the big-budget movie adaptation of Lew Wallace's 1880 novel "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ."
"'Ben-Hur' is a big-action adventure movie and it is a thrilling ride, but it holds deep within it a powerful message about forgiveness and reconciliation," Downey tells News OK. "In the last few weeks with all the violence and fear, tension and tears in our nation, these themes feel more important than ever."
Burnett and Downey already know they want a song from For King & Country, but they did not know which one it would be. When they asked the band what songs they have that would be a good fit for "Ben-Hur," they fell in love with the track "Ceasefire" because of its lyrics.
"The lyrics in 'Ceasefire' say, 'Teach us how to live humbly, love unconditionally, transform our hurt into hope, and grant us your peace,'" Downey explains. "That is our prayer."
"Ben-Hur" is a fictional tale of Judah Ben-Hur, a wealthy Jew who was betrayed by his childhood friend Messala, a Roman soldier. Because of this betrayal, Ben-Hur's mother was imprisoned while he endured a hard life as a galley slave.
But even during the bleakest moments in Ben Hur's life, his brightness refused to die down. He won the admiration of Roman Consul Quintus Arrius, who adopted him and raised him as his own son.
With wealth and position in tow, Ben-Hur set out to rescue his mother and sister and exact revenge on Messala. But God has greater things in store for him, and his mission for revenge turned into one of compassion and purpose.
"Ben-Hur," which is directed by Timur Bekmambetov, will be released on Aug. 19. It stars Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Morgan Freeman, Rodrigo Santoro, Nazanin Boniadi, Ayelet Zurer, and Sofia Black D'Elia.
