Ben-Hur
1959 · Movie · G · 212 min · ★ 7.9 · 89% critics
In ancient Judea, a Jewish aristocrat opposes Roman rule and is pushed into a life-shifting conflict with a childhood friend who rises as a Roman commander. What follows becomes a sweeping saga of betrayal, adventure, tragedy, revenge, and faith.
Based on Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
Also known as Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
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Details
- Years
- 1959
- Release date
- 1959-11-18
- Language
- English
- Rated
- G
- Runtime
- 212 min
- Critic score
- 89/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.9/10 (3,151 votes)
- Box office
- $164,000,000
- Budget
- $15,000,000
About
You’ll likely enjoy Ben-Hur if you want a sweeping historical epic with high stakes, big set pieces, and faith-driven drama; Not for you if you dislike very long movies or prefer lighter themes like The Ten Commandments.
Pros: epic historical scale; thrilling chariot race; memorable performances | Cons: slow pacing after highlights; very long runtime; strong religious tones
Themes
- governor
- middle east
- based on novel or book
- roman empire
- politics
- christianity
- jew persecution
- jewish life
- roman
- miracle
- jerusalem
- prince
- +30 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Sound · 1960
- Academy Award — Best Original Dramatic or Comedy Score · 1960
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1960
- Academy Award — Best Special Effects · 1960
- Academy Award — Best Costume Design, Color · 1960
Show all 24 awards →
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1960
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actor · 1960
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography, Color · 1960
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1960
- Academy Award — Best Film Editing · 1960
- Academy Award — Best Art Direction, Color · 1960
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Film Editing · 1960 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Dramatic or Comedy Score · 1960 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1960 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actor · 1960 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Special Effects · 1960 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Sound · 1960 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography, Color · 1960 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Art Direction, Color · 1960 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Costume Design, Color · 1960 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1960 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1960 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1960 · nominated
Cast & crew
Charlton Heston
as Judah Ben-Hur
Stephen Boyd
as Messala
Hugh Griffith
as Scheich Ildirim
Jack Hawkins
as Quintus Arrius
Haya Harareet
as Esther
Martha Scott
as Miriam
Cathy O'Donnell
as Tirzah
Sam Jaffe
as Simonides
Finlay Currie
as Balthasar
Frank Thring
as Pontius Pilatus
Directed by William Wyler