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Ben-Hur

Play trailer Poster for Ben-Hur Released Dec 30, 1925 2h 25m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In this silent classic, Judah ben-Hur (Ramon Novarro) discovers that he has been betrayed by his childhood friend Messala (Francis X. Bushman), leading to separation from his family. Punished for an accident, Ben-Hur is unjustly forced to serve on a Roman ship, where he becomes a friend to the vessel's admiral, Quintus Arrius (Frank Currier). Eventually, Ben-Hur has the chance to compete against Messala in a chariot race, providing him with a shot at vengeance.
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Ben-Hur

Critics Reviews

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Mordaunt Hall New York Times Ramon Novarro, who plays the part of Ben-Hur, is a sturdy, handsome young chap, with an excellent figure. His performance is all that one could wish, for he is fervent and earnest throughout. Aug 31, 2020 Full Review Fred Schader Variety Ben Hur is a picture for all times. No matter what happens to others, Ben Hur will remain, as the Bible remains. Aug 31, 2020 Full Review SMH Staff Sydney Morning Herald The part of Ben Hur Is magnificently played by Ramon Navarro. In his hands the character shows a gradual and logical development, beginning with Judah's boyish bearing in the streets of Jerusalem, adopting a harder tone [as the film progresses]. Aug 31, 2020 Full Review Irish Times Staff Irish Times Without seeing for one’s self it is hard to picture the pulsating realism of the mad gallop round the arena of horses with their charioteers; the deadly rivalry of the drivers; and the wild scenes as chariots are overturned. Dec 14, 2023 Full Review Martin Dickstein Brooklyn Daily Eagle As a spectacle, a tremendous pictorial achievement, a truly Immense conception of the unlimltatlons of the motion picture camera, I can for comparison with the film... only hazy recollections of D. W. Griffith's Intolerance. Aug 31, 2020 Full Review George T. Pardy Motion Picture News [The film's] regal magnificence, poetic touches, compelling atmosphere and marvelously executed thrill episodes testify eloquently to the rare ability of Director Fred Niblo. Aug 31, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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georgan g While this movie is impressive, especially for a 1925 silent genre, there was too much I could not tolerate. Humane filming is not totally done even today, but nearly 100 years ago it was grim & cruel. The horses killed during the chariot race was horrendous. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member I was lucky enough to see this film with a live orchestra with Stuart Copeland of the Police. He's worked with this film many times, and you should beg him to come to your theatre and perform it again because it is mesmerizing. I have never had an experience at the theatre like that in my whole life, and I saw Chaplin's "City Lights" with a live orchestra. This is what you pay money to see, musicians sweating out the old time capsule in its full regalia. I had to remind myself to breathe while in the theatre with this beast, as it was breathtaking. There was quite a bit of horse abuse in the making of this film, and as someone who's sensitive to that, I thought it might be too much to see. I had searched before the film "How many horses died?"...Up to 150 is that answer. Jesus Christ! is right. However, if the jackasses were gonna kill like that, at least they made a powerful film. It shakes the soul, and still is an effective and very emotional artifact. The urinals exploded in our theatre the night this was performed, as the tension of the piece was too much for even the plumbing to handle. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Ethan S A visual treat with a compelling story and excellent action sequences. The physicality and expression of the acting helps to eliminate the need for a lot of intertitle exposition also, though probably my familiarity with the later Heston sound-version of the story might make me a little biased in that respect. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/02/21 Full Review s r Epic to say the least. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie stands the test of time. There are moments in the film where your heart is in your throat; when Jesus is born and everyone knows without being told who Mary is and who Jesus. When Jesus gives a drink to the near death Ben Hur Jesus is kept off screen and you only see his hand, I tell you folks it brings tears to your eyes. Niblo just carries on from there. This is the movie that made MGM. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member The best, GREATEST thrilling and inspiring epic movie ever made! With the best movie character ever portrayed: Francis X. Bushman as Messala! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Ben-Hur

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Cast & Crew

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Fred Niblo

Director

Ramon Novarro

Judah Ben-Hur

Francis X. Bushman

Messala

May McAvoy

Esther

Claire McDowell

Princess of Hur

Betty Bronson

Mary

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Ben-Hur

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this silent classic, Judah ben-Hur (Ramon Novarro) discovers that he has been betrayed by his childhood friend Messala (Francis X. Bushman), leading to separation from his family. Punished for an accident, Ben-Hur is unjustly forced to serve on a Roman ship, where he becomes a friend to the vessel's admiral, Quintus Arrius (Frank Currier). Eventually, Ben-Hur has the chance to compete against Messala in a chariot race, providing him with a shot at vengeance.
Director
Fred Niblo
Producer
Kevin Brownlow, David Gill
Screenwriter
Carey Wilson
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre
History, Drama
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 30, 1925, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2011
Runtime
2h 25m
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