Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ Poster
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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925)

143 min  -  Action | Adventure | Drama   -  8 October 1927 (USA)
8.0
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Ratings: 8.0/10 from 4,443 users  
Reviews: 45 user | 13 critic

Erstwhile childhood friends, Judah Ben-Hur and Messala meet again as adults, this time with Roman officer Messala as conqueror and Judah as a wealthy... See full summary »

Writers:

Lew Wallace (by), June Mathis (adaptation), and 5 more credits »
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1 win See more awards »
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ramon Novarro ...
Francis X. Bushman ...
May McAvoy May McAvoy ...
Betty Bronson Betty Bronson ...
Mary
Claire McDowell Claire McDowell ...
Kathleen Key Kathleen Key ...
Carmel Myers Carmel Myers ...
Iras
Nigel De Brulier Nigel De Brulier ...
Simonides (as Nigel de Brulier)
Mitchell Lewis Mitchell Lewis ...
Leo White Leo White ...
Sanballat
Frank Currier Frank Currier ...
Arrius
Charles Belcher Charles Belcher ...
Dale Fuller Dale Fuller ...
Winter Hall Winter Hall ...
Joseph
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Storyline

Erstwhile childhood friends, Judah Ben-Hur and Messala meet again as adults, this time with Roman officer Messala as conqueror and Judah as a wealthy, though conquered, Israelite. A slip of a brick during a Roman parade causes Judah to be sent off as a galley slave, his property confiscated and his mother and sister imprisoned. Years later, as a result of his determination to stay alive and his willingness to aid his Roman master, Judah returns to his homeland an exalted and wealthy Roman athlete. Unable to find his mother and sister, and believing them dead, he can think of nothing else than revenge against Messala. Written by Doug Sederberg <vornoff@sonic.net>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

The Outstanding Attraction in America. The Greatest Wealth of Drama, Spectacle, Thrills, Awe Inspiring Magnitude, and Most Delicate Love Story ever presented in the History of the Theatres of the World. MIGHTY BEN-HUR See more »

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | History | Romance

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Ben-Hur See more »

Filming Locations:

Anzio, Rome, Lazio, Italy See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$3,900,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$4,359,000 (USA)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

 | Germany: (restored version)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Color (2-strip Technicolor) (some sequences) | Black and White (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the film grossed $9 million on its initial run, its huge cost overruns and the deal with rights-holder Abraham L. Erlanger meant that MGM was unable to make good on its initial $4-million investment. See more »

Goofs

Crew or equipment visible: Camera visible during the chariot race. See more »

Connections

Featured in The Phantom of Hollywood (1974) See more »