Ben-Hur

Released: November 18, 1959

Studio: MGM

Genre: war epic

Box Office (numbers in millions):

Domestic: 74.0 Worldwide: ?

Adjusted for Inflation:

Domestic: 961.94 Worldwide: 2578.10

Directing: William Wyler

Screenwriting: Karl Tunberg

Starring: Charlton Heston, Hugh Griffith, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Martha Scott, Cathy O’Donnell

Review:

This remake of the 1927 silent film with Ramon Novarro, itself an adaption of the 1880 novel by Lew Wallace, is “one of the cinema’s greatest epics.” ^FS It is a “character-driven, action-filled, star-studded extravaganza” ^FS and “compelling human story of revenge, bitterness, redemption and forgiveness.” ^FS

Heston is Judah Ben Hur, the Prince of Judea. His boyhood friend, Messala (Boyd), has become “a tyrannical Roman Governor.” ^VD Messala banishes and enslaves Ben Hur and his family (Scott and O’Donnell). Ben Hur “saves the life of Roman nobleman/admiral Quintus Arrius (Hawkins), is adopted and becomes a respected citizen and a famed chariot racer under the tutelage of an Arabian horse racer (Griffith).” ^FS Years later, Ben Hur seeks revenge against Messala in the Roman Chariot Race, “often regarded as one of the most exciting action sequences ever filmed.” ^FS

Along the way, Ben Hur has “an inspirational encounter with Jesus.” ^FS When Ben Hur returns to Judea, “rescues his suffering, leprous family and witnesses the crucifixion of Jesus.” ^FS Heston finds “forgiveness and redemption when he tries to help Jesus Christ, the man who once saved him” ^A7 “and is inspired to convert to Christianity.” ^FS

Sources:

^A7 American Film Institute (2007). “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies – 10th Anniversary Edition”
^FS Filmsite.org “100 Greatest Films”
^VD Video Detective (1997). “Top 100 Films of All Time”

Awards/Honors/Lists:

Dave’s Movie Database Lists:

Dave’s Movie Database Genre Lists:

Box Office:

Oscars:

Wins: 11, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Charlton Heston), Best Supporting Actor (Hugh Griffith), Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Production Design, Best Sound Mixing, Best Visual Effects

Nominations: 12, included Best Adapted Screenplay