" BackgroundLaura(1944) is one of the most stylish, elegant, moody, and witty classicfilm noirsever made with an ensemble cast of characters.In the uplifting dramatic moment, Ben-Hur is protected from harm from the dumbstruck Roman guard.Ben-Hur gains fortitude and strength from the encounter.Over three years later, Ben-Hur has toughened, surviving he galley slave ordeal so far.He is one of over 200 galley slaves shackled to an oar in a Roman galley flagship.A new Roman officer Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins) arrives on board to take command.Below deck, Arrius surveys the health and condition of the slaves, and he speaks to Ben-Hur, identified as condemned galley slave number Forty-One.Anyhow, there it is.The people are like mountain peasants everywhere - simple, independent.They work because they must, they smile when they feel like it and they""re no respecters of persons.The men are men - no better, no worse than anywhere else.The women are women.The children, children.Up on the mountain above the palace, we have our Holy Man who sits there day in and day out in all weathers.Elsewhere, there was more talk.The subject was Christmas dinner and whether that year the main course would be roast pork, or Duck a l""Orange.She asked about the winds, and he confirmed that the most destructive winds were yet to come - forces that panicked the mustangs and could rip appendages off one""s body:Letty: Is this one of those - northers?Lige: If this was a norther, you and me ""ud be jest arms an"" legs - - scattered over the prairie!Sweet Water:They finally made their way to the Sweet Water - a desolate cattle ranch with a wooden shack - her cousin""s home:After endless miles of wind and sand and empty far-off sky -Letty""s cousin Beverly (Edward Earle) happily greeted her and carried her over the threshold as if she was his bride - he warmly kissed his female relative.