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Ben-Hur

Play trailer Poster for Ben-Hur G Released Nov 18, 1959 3h 23m History Drama Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 53 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Charlton Heston plays a Palestinian Jew who is battling the Roman empire at the time of Christ. His actions send him and his family into slavery, but an inspirational encounter with Jesus changes everything. Heston finally meets his rival in a justly famous chariot race and rescues his suffering family.
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Ben-Hur

Ben-Hur

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Critics Consensus

Uneven, but in terms of epic scope and grand spectacle, Ben-Hur still ranks among Hollywood's finest examples of pure entertainment.

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Critics Reviews

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Jack Harrison Hollywood Reporter William Wyler never lets spectacle and size interfere with the elemental passions and conflicts of his human story. The spectacular aspects emerge naturally from the story -- the time and place and the customs of the society in which the characters live. Nov 19, 2018 Full Review Martin Chilton Daily Telegraph (UK) Although it is a spectacle film, the story of how a man takes on the tyranny of the Romans, with all sorts of horrible consequences to himself and his family, is powerful and gripping. Rated: 5/5 Jan 1, 2015 Full Review TIME Staff TIME Magazine The biggest and the best of Hollywood's super-spectacles. Aug 22, 2008 Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm The Passion of the Heston. Rated: 3/4 Apr 18, 2024 Full Review Mark Johnson Awards Daily Ben-Hur remains one of the greatest stories ever told. The antagonizing journey of the main protagonist, incredible cast of thousands, elaborate set designs, and one of the greatest sequences in film history, Ben-Hur is one of the most influential films. Jun 8, 2023 Full Review Dilys Powell Sunday Times (UK) [The filmmakers] can't give it an imaginative size to match its physical size... Nevertheless if we must have films of this kind, this is the one to have. Aug 10, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ben Him Music is grand! Sets were non-cgi. Story was great. Acting was superb. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/08/21 Full Review josh l Ben hur is one of the all time classic films! Charleston Heston is at his best. This is an epic made on a scope and scale of production that in many ways has never again been matched even today in it's production scale. A must see. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/01/24 Full Review Jay S Epic in story and grand in scale, Ben-Hur is a superbly made film. The sets and cinematography are eye opening, score is great, the acting, while part of the old school form, is what makes this film so poignant in its art. If a lover of cinema and Hollywood's Golden Age classics, this is a must see. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/23/24 Full Review Jack G Classic, must watch if you like classic films Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/08/24 Full Review Adam W A true masterpiece and cult classic Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/16/24 Full Review Wellington P Perfect in every way Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/19/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Ben-Hur

Shown here is the chariot race in the film "Ben-Hur." Hugh Griffith portrays Sheik Ilderim in the film "Ben-Hur." Charlton Heston (left) Stephen Boyd (center), who played Messala, talk with director William Wyler (right) while taking a break from filming the chariot race. Charlton Heston (left) pictured here on the film's set in Rome with Haya Harareet (right), who played Esther. Charlton Heston (left) on the film's set in Rome with his three-year old son Fraser (center). Co-star Jack Hawkins (right) is shown chatting with Heston and his son during a break from filming. Movie poster. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Charlton Heston plays a Palestinian Jew who is battling the Roman empire at the time of Christ. His actions send him and his family into slavery, but an inspirational encounter with Jesus changes everything. Heston finally meets his rival in a justly famous chariot race and rescues his suffering family.
Director
William Wyler
Producer
Sam Zimbalist
Screenwriter
Lew Wallace, Karl Tunberg
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Warner Bros.
Rating
G
Genre
History, Drama, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 18, 1959, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Sep 1, 1969
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 30, 2013
Runtime
3h 23m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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