+

poster of Ben-Hur
Rating: 7.9/10 by 2761 users

Ben-Hur (1959)

In 25 AD, Judah Ben-Hur, a Jew in ancient Judea, opposes the occupying Roman empire. Falsely accused by a Roman childhood friend-turned-overlord of trying to kill the Roman governor, he is put into slavery and his mother and sister are taken away as prisoners.

Directing:
  • William Wyler
  • Sergio Leone
  • Alberto Cardone
Writing:
  • Karl Tunberg
  • Lew Wallace
Stars:
Release Date: Wed, Nov 18, 1959

Rating: 7.9/10 by 2761 users

Alternative Title:
Ben Hur - FR
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ - US
Бен-хур - BG
Μπεν Χουρ - GR
Бен-Гур - RU
賓漢 - TW
בן חור - IL
벤허 - KR
Ben-Hur : En berättelse från Kristi tid - SE
Ben Hur - SE
Ben Hur - PL
Ben Hur - HR

Country:
United States of America
Language:
English
Runtime: 03 hour 42 minutes
Budget: $15,000,000
Revenue: $164,000,000

Plot Keyword: epic, governor, middle east, based on novel or book, roman empire, politics, christianity, jew persecution, jewish life, roman, miracle, jerusalem, prince, chariot race, leprosy, redemption, religious conversion, ancient rome, gay interest, love, friends, remake, revenge, judaism, religion, historical fiction, period drama, dungeon, galley, hatred, sheikh, sea battle, jewish family, galley slave, childhood sweetheart, salvation, 1st century, jesus christ, false imprisonment, judea, subjugated people, awestruck

Charlton Heston
Judah Ben-Hur
Hugh Griffith
Scheich Ildirim
Jack Hawkins
Quintus Arrius
Sam Jaffe
Simonides
Frank Thring
Pontius Pilatus
George Relph
Tiberius Caesar
Lando Buzzanca
Jewish Slave in the Desert (uncredited)
Giuliano Gemma
Roman Officer with Messala (uncredited)
Marina Berti
Flavia (uncredited)
Robert Brown
Chief of Rowers (uncredited)
Liana Del Balzo
Guest at Banquet (uncredited)
Enzo Fiermonte
Galley Officer (uncredited)
Richard Hale
Gaspar (uncredited)
Duncan Lamont
Marius (uncredited)
John Le Mesurier
Doctor (uncredited)
Ferdy Mayne
Captain of Rescue Ship (uncredited)
May McAvoy
Woman in crowd (uncredited)
Aldo Silvani
Man in Nazareth (uncredited)
Ralph Truman
Aide to Tiberius (uncredited)
Joe Canutt
Sportsman (uncredited)
Richard Coleman
Metellus (uncredited)
Antonio Corevi
Senator (uncredited)
David Davies
Quaestor (uncredited)
Mino Doro
Gratus (uncredited)
Michael Dugan
Seaman (uncredited)
Franco Fantasia
Roman Soldier Who Brings Crown to Gratus (uncredited)
José Greci
Mary (uncredited)
John Horsley
Spintho (uncredited)
Howard Lang
Hortator (uncredited)
Stevenson Lang
Blind Man (uncredited)
Tutte Lemkow
Leper (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons
The Lubian (uncredited)
Tiberio Mitri
Roman at Bath (uncredited)
Remington Olmsted
Decurian (uncredited)
Laurence Payne
Joseph (uncredited)
Aldo Pini
Bad Thief on Cross (uncredited)
Diego Pozzetto
Villager (uncredited)
Stella Rho
Amrah (uncredited)
Edwin Richfield
Supplier to Leper Colony (uncredited)
Hector Ross
Officer (uncredited)
Maxwell Shaw
Rower No. 43 (uncredited)
Gianni Solaro
Galley Officer (uncredited)
Pietro Tordi
Pilate's Servant (uncredited)
Raimondo Van Riel
Old Man (uncredited)
Dervis Ward
Jailer (uncredited)
Joe Yrigoyen
The Egyptian - Chariot Racer (uncredited)
Nazzareno Zamperla
Roman Soldier with a Bow on Galley (uncredited)
Jerry Brown
The Corinthian (uncredited)
Eddie Jauregui
The Athenian (uncredited)
Gianni Di Segni
Galley Guard on Ship (uncredited)
Armando Fracassi
Arab (uncredited)
Renzo Pevarello
(uncredited)
Amerigo Santarelli
Rower (uncredited)
Artemio Antonini
Galley Guard on Ship (uncredited)
Aldo Cecconi
Galley Guard on Ship (uncredited)
Mario Meniconi
Crucifixion March Guard (uncredited)
Terzo Monachesi
Nobleman at the Chariot Race (uncredited)
Giorgio Ubaldi
Rower (uncredited)

John Chard

Majestic in scope and story telling. The truth is, is that Ben-Hur deserved every award that was showered upon it. It's a titanic film both in structure and scope. It doesn't need me to go over old ground about how much the film cost to make, the number of extras, the number of sets and etc, it's now folklore that this film could have bankrupted MGM such was the investment, but they needn't have worried since the film went on to make 40 million and still counting. Every cent spent was worth it because it's a magnificent film, the kind that you can get swept away with, the minute the overture starts you feel little tingles as the hairs on your arms stand up on end, you are aware that for over three hours director William Wyler and lead actor Charlton Heston are going to own you. The story centres around Judah Ben-Hur (Heston) who through his staunch loyalty to the Jewish race falls out with his dear Roman friend Messala (Stephen Boyd). He is dispatched to be a slave in the galleys and swears revenge on Messala. After pirates attack the ship he is slaved on, he manages to escape and in the process he saves Roman Admiral Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins) and this sets Juda on his destiny to enact revenge on his old friend as Quintus makes him a citizen of Rome. It sounds so simple yet it's a story of the highest order because crucial to the film's core strength is Judah's encounters with Christ, and it's only during the harsh and upsetting final reel that we realise the whole point of the film. There's also strong themes involving family love and loyalty, friendships formed or broken under race and creed banners, and of course religious beliefs and all that comes with that kettle of fish... It's epic, it's simply beautiful, it's actually essential viewing for any serious cinema fan, the film's set pieces are still wondrous even today. You will marvel at the chariot race (a stunning 20 minutes long), you will hoist the flag during the pirate attack, and if you have the emotion in you? You will be hit with sombre silence as Christ is crucified. Come the closing music I personally feel like clapping such is the appreciation I have for this truly wonderful film, if you haven't seen it then make a point of doing so because everything that is great about cinema is right here. 10/10

sykobanana

What can be said about this film that hasnt already been said? I could (justly) use every superlative known and it still does not cover just how amazing this film is. It is the essence of EPIC (and not just historical epic). It is easy to see why it was not matched in the number of Oscars given for 50 years (and those 'equals' did not include any acting oscars and had more categories to choose from). I first watched this as a kid and struggled to stay awake to see the end late at night. And despite it not having the spectacle of say the Ten Commandments, it became a favourite which I have watched over and over again. I adore everything in this film - from the gritty stoic-ness of Heston's acting and cockiness of Boyd's, the fleshed out minor characters, the jaw-dropping sets, stirring score from Rozsa, the stunning costumes and of course to the incredible set pieces. This is film perfection that does not feel like its (nearly) 4 hour run time.

CinemaSerf

It will probably be remembered for it's chariot race long after all of the rest of it has faded away, but this is more than just that. It is a story about friendship, religion, power and opportunity - it is also about sheer bloody-mindedness and cruelty. It resonates all the more because these are all human traits that abound in all of us to some extent. The film looks truly amazing and Miklós Rósza is on top form with a score that encapsulates the Imperial grandeur of the Roman State in all of it's Tiberian pomp. The story, though, is a less impressive affair. Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd demonstrate how love can turn to hate splendidly when on screen together, the rest of the time neither performance really delivers much beyond the script. Jack Hawkins tries hard, but again doesn't quite hit the mark as the Consul. Hugh Griffith is a star as the mischievous, avaricious Sheik Ilderim and Sam Jaffe is also a good addition to this cast. It is way too long; after the chariot race it turns a little too much into the "tale of the Christ" referred to by author General Lew Wallace at the very start and for me, somehow loses it's way. The battle scenes at sea are great and the sumptuous costumes, cinematography and sound all well deserving of their golden statuettes. A very good, but not quite great, cinema epic.


My Favorite

Welcome back!

Support Us

Like Movienade?

Please buy us a coffee

scan qr code