Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Ben-Hur

  • 19591959
  • GG
  • 3h 32m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
237K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,306
229
Ben-Hur (1959)
Official Trailer
Play trailer3:00
5 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Adventure
  • Drama
  • History
After a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.After a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.After a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
237K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,306
229
  • Director
    • William Wyler
  • Writers
    • Lew Wallace(A Tale of Christ)
    • Karl Tunberg(screen play by)
    • Gore Vidal(contributing writer)
  • Stars
    • Charlton Heston
    • Jack Hawkins
    • Stephen Boyd
Top credits
  • Director
    • William Wyler
  • Writers
    • Lew Wallace(A Tale of Christ)
    • Karl Tunberg(screen play by)
    • Gore Vidal(contributing writer)
  • Stars
    • Charlton Heston
    • Jack Hawkins
    • Stephen Boyd
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 493User reviews
    • 134Critic reviews
    • 90Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #181
    • Won 11 Oscars
      • 29 wins & 16 nominations total

    Videos5

    Ben-Hur: 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collectors Edition [Blu-Ray]
    Trailer 3:00
    Ben-Hur: 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collectors Edition [Blu-Ray]
    Ben-Hur: 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition [Blu-Ray]
    Trailer 1:53
    Ben-Hur: 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition [Blu-Ray]
    Ben-Hur
    Trailer 4:03
    Ben-Hur
    Streaming Passport: The Roman Empire
    Clip 4:38
    Streaming Passport: The Roman Empire
    Ben-Hur | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:19
    Ben-Hur | Anniversary Mashup

    Photos307

    Joe Canutt in Ben-Hur (1959)
    Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet, and Sam Jaffe in Ben-Hur (1959)
    Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, and Ferdy Mayne in Ben-Hur (1959)
    Charlton Heston, Haya Harareet, Sam Jaffe, Cathy O'Donnell, and Martha Scott in Ben-Hur (1959)
    Charlton Heston and Haya Harareet in Ben-Hur (1959)
    Charlton Heston and John Glenn in Ben-Hur (1959)
    Charlton Heston in Ben-Hur (1959)
    Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd in Ben-Hur (1959)
    Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd in Ben-Hur (1959)
    Charlton Heston in Ben-Hur (1959)
    Charlton Heston and Hugh Griffith in Ben-Hur (1959)
    Charlton Heston in Ben-Hur (1959)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Charlton Heston
    Charlton Heston
    • Judah Ben-Huras Judah Ben-Hur
    Jack Hawkins
    Jack Hawkins
    • Quintus Arriusas Quintus Arrius
    Stephen Boyd
    Stephen Boyd
    • Messalaas Messala
    Haya Harareet
    Haya Harareet
    • Estheras Esther
    Hugh Griffith
    Hugh Griffith
    • Sheik Ilderimas Sheik Ilderim
    Martha Scott
    Martha Scott
    • Miriamas Miriam
    Cathy O'Donnell
    Cathy O'Donnell
    • Tirzahas Tirzah
    Sam Jaffe
    Sam Jaffe
    • Simonidesas Simonides
    Finlay Currie
    Finlay Currie
    • Balthasaras Balthasar…
    Frank Thring
    Frank Thring
    • Pontius Pilateas Pontius Pilate
    Terence Longdon
    Terence Longdon
    • Drususas Drusus
    George Relph
    • Tiberius Caesaras Tiberius Caesar
    André Morell
    André Morell
    • Sextusas Sextus
    Nello Appodia
    • Oarsmanas Oarsman
    • (uncredited)
    Fortunato Arena
    • Soldieras Soldier
    • (uncredited)
    Bruno Ariè
    • Roman Officeras Roman Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Les Ballets Africains
    • Dancers at Roman Banquetas Dancers at Roman Banquet
    • (uncredited)
    Emma Baron
    Emma Baron
    • Jewish Womanas Jewish Woman
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • William Wyler
    • Writers
      • Lew Wallace(A Tale of Christ)
      • Karl Tunberg(screen play by)
      • Gore Vidal(contributing writer) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Gone with the Wind
    8.2
    Gone with the Wind
    The Bridge on the River Kwai
    8.2
    The Bridge on the River Kwai
    Lawrence of Arabia
    8.3
    Lawrence of Arabia
    The Great Escape
    8.2
    The Great Escape
    Ben-Hur
    5.7
    Ben-Hur
    On the Waterfront
    8.1
    On the Waterfront
    Rocky
    8.1
    Rocky
    The Sting
    8.3
    The Sting
    The Deer Hunter
    8.1
    The Deer Hunter
    Gandhi
    8.1
    Gandhi
    North by Northwest
    8.3
    North by Northwest
    Jaws
    8.1
    Jaws

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      During the 18-day auction of MGM props, costumes and memorabilia that took place in May 1970 when new studio owner Kirk Kerkorian was liquidating the studio's assets, a Sacramento restaurateur paid $4,000 for a chariot used in the film. Three years later, during the energy crisis, he was arrested for driving the chariot on the highway.
    • Goofs
      During the chariot race just before Ben-Hur's chariot jumps the wrecked chariot, stunt driver Joe Canutt can be seen dropping the reins and grabbing hold of the side of the his chariot (his father, stunt coordinator-2nd unit director Yakima Canutt, had instructed him to grip the underside of the chariot's railing. Joe ignored him, or forgot, and grasped the railing from the top, and was vaulted over the top of the chariot, which could have been fatal had his quick reflexes and strength not allowed him to haul himself back over the vehicle's yoke before he fell between the horses and chariot).
    • Quotes

      Quintus Arrius: Your eyes are full of hate, forty-one. That's good. Hate keeps a man alive. It gives him strength.

    • Crazy credits
      The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lion is shown in a still-frame to appear looking peaceful at the beginning rather than roaring.
    • Alternate versions
      The first DVD release had an "Intermission" title card printed in a different font from the one used in the theatrical film and on the second, 4-disc DVD release.
    • Connections
      Edited into Spisok korabley (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      Overture
      Composed and Conducted by Miklós Rózsa

    User reviews493

    Review
    Top review
    The best of the "Intimate Epics"
    The same quality that made epics like "Gone with the Wind," "Lawrence of Arabia," "Doctor Zhivago," and, ultimately, "Titanic" the memorable stories they were is present in spades in "Ben-Hur." These are stories, though told on canvases far vaster than the CinemaScope- or Panavision-sized movie screens they were meant for, succeed because, in their best moments, they focus on the interaction between and history of as few as two characters.

    What begins as a childhood friendship between a Roman boy and a Jewish boy in Roman-occupied Palestine, becomes, briefly, a politically-charged rivalry, and ultimately, a search for revenge by one upon the other.

    Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd deliver the performances of their careers, and get to chew up scenery and sets of such grandeur that Hollywood could never afford their like again.

    This film, the greatest epic film ever made, deserves every accolade heaped upon it. The modern viewer may have to apply some patience, but at the end of the nearly four hour running time will find themselves to be vastly rewarded for it. You will find your life changed by both the scale of the film and the intimate message of friendship, betrayal, revenge--and the power of forgiveness.
    helpful•88
    59
    • Troydawg
    • Mar 31, 2000

    FAQ2

    • What are some differences between the different versions of the story?
    • Why does Sheik Ilderim believe Judah does not like the meal he was served? Why does Balthasar seem to want him to burp?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 18, 1959 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Warner Bros. (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
    • Filming locations
      • Corner of Via di Salone and Via delle Case Rosse, Salone Caves, Rome, Lazio, Italy
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $74,432,704
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $241,792
      • Apr 14, 2019
    • Gross worldwide
      • $74,437,720
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      3 hours 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.75 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Ben-Hur (1959)
    Top Gap
    What is the Hindi language plot outline for Ben-Hur (1959)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:02
    LGBTQIA+ Movies and Shows to Watch This Summer
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.