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IMDbPro

Ben-Hur

  • 19591959
  • GG
  • 3h 32m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
238K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,666
304
Ben-Hur (1959)
Official Trailer
Play trailer3:00
5 Videos
99+ Photos
AdventureDrama
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
238K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,666
304
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • 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
    • 495User reviews
    • 135Critic reviews
    • 90Metascore
    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-Hur
    Jack Hawkins
    Jack Hawkins
    • Quintus Arrius
    Stephen Boyd
    Stephen Boyd
    • Messala
    Haya Harareet
    Haya Harareet
    • Esther
    Hugh Griffith
    Hugh Griffith
    • Sheik Ilderim
    Martha Scott
    Martha Scott
    • Miriam
    Cathy O'Donnell
    Cathy O'Donnell
    • Tirzah
    Sam Jaffe
    Sam Jaffe
    • Simonides
    Finlay Currie
    Finlay Currie
    • Balthasar…
    Frank Thring
    Frank Thring
    • Pontius Pilate
    Terence Longdon
    Terence Longdon
    • Drusus
    George Relph
    • Tiberius Caesar
    André Morell
    André Morell
    • Sextus
    Nello Appodia
    • Oarsman
    • (uncredited)
    Fortunato Arena
    • Soldier
    • (uncredited)
    Bruno Ariè
    • Roman Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Les Ballets Africains
    • Dancers at Roman Banquet
    • (uncredited)
    Emma Baron
    Emma Baron
    • 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
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    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 Catalogue of Ships (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      Overture
      Composed and Conducted by Miklós Rózsa

    User reviews495

    Review
    Top review
    Breath-taking; possible THE perfect movie.
    I think I can safely say that in my opinion, this is the best movie ever made. Its dramatic value is fantastic, and I've never seen a better storyline. The costumes were also incredible. The actors portrayed the best purest form of both ancient Roman and old Judean culture. This film also had quite an emotional effect. The way that Christ's face is never visible nor his voice audible to the audience creates a feeling of reverence to the actual person of Jesus. Lew Wallace also did an amazing job portraying the innocence, kindness, and mercy of Jesus, and his effect on the main character, Judah Ben Hur. Hur's ending quote, "I felt him take the sword out of my hand" was a wonderful picture of his changing. I admit, I am a Christian, but even for those who are not this is still a great film. The message boards confirm that. I recognize that there are some people that require constant action to keep their attention. If this is your case, than this movie is not for you, as it has a lot of dialogue. But I recommend this movie 100%.
    helpful•90
    69
    • agent_js03
    • Sep 5, 2004

    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

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