B. Reeves Eason (born William Reeves Eason, 2 October 1886, New York City - 9 June 1956, California) was an American silent film director, actor and screenwriter of the early period. Eason directed 150 films and starred in almost 100 films over his career.
His career transcended into sound and he directed film serials such as The Miracle Rider starring Tom Mix in 1935.
Eason used 42 cameras to film the chariot race as a second unit director on Ben-Hur (1925) and also directed the "Burning of Atlanta" in Gone with the Wind (1939).
His son, B. Reeves Eason Jr., born in 1914 would later appear in a twelve films, including Nine-Tenths of the Law, which Eason Sr. directed. He died in a train accident during filming in 1921.
Reaves ran a produce business before going into stock and vaudeville. He is known for using 42 cameras to film the spectacular chariot race in the Ramon Novarro, Francis X. Bushman version of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925). (The chariot race was filmed at what is now the intersection of LaCienega and Venice Boulevards in Los Angeles.) This 1925 version was the most expensive silent film ever made, costing $3.9 million, and in 1921, the sum of $600,000 was paid for the rights to film the classic Lew Wallace novel. (The highest price ever paid for rights during the silent era.) Reaves also directed the "burning of Atlanta" in the classic Gone with the Wind (1939)
