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HistoryDramaAdventureAction

Ben-Hur

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In 25 AD, Judah Ben-Hur, a Jew in ancient Judea, opposes the occupying Roman empire. Falsely accused by a Roman childhood friend-turned-overlord of trying to kill the Roman governor, he is put into slavery and his mother and sister are taken away as prisoners.

Release Date : 1959-11-18

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles : Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

Cast

Charlton Heston

Character Name : Judah Ben-Hur

Original Name : Charlton Heston

Gender : Male

Stephen Boyd

Character Name : Messala

Original Name : Stephen Boyd

Gender : Male

Hugh Griffith

Character Name : Scheich Ildirim

Original Name : Hugh Griffith

Gender : Male

Jack Hawkins

Character Name : Quintus Arrius

Original Name : Jack Hawkins

Gender : Male

Haya Harareet

Character Name : Esther

Original Name : Haya Harareet

Gender : Female

Martha Scott

Character Name : Miriam

Original Name : Martha Scott

Gender : Female

Cathy O'Donnell

Character Name : Tirzah

Original Name : Cathy O'Donnell

Gender : Female

Sam Jaffe

Character Name : Simonides

Original Name : Sam Jaffe

Gender : Male

Finlay Currie

Character Name : Balthasar

Original Name : Finlay Currie

Gender : Male

Frank Thring

Character Name : Pontius Pilatus

Original Name : Frank Thring

Gender : Male

George Relph

Character Name : Tiberius Caesar

Original Name : George Relph

Gender : Male

André Morell

Character Name : Sextus

Original Name : André Morell

Gender : Male

Terence Longdon

Character Name : Drusus

Original Name : Terence Longdon

Gender : Male

Ady Berber

Character Name : Malluch

Original Name : Ady Berber

Gender : Male

Lando Buzzanca

Character Name : Jewish Slave in the Desert (uncredited)

Original Name : Lando Buzzanca

Gender : Male

Giuliano Gemma

Character Name : Roman Officer with Messala (uncredited)

Original Name : Giuliano Gemma

Gender : Male

Marina Berti

Character Name : Flavia (uncredited)

Original Name : Marina Berti

Gender : Female

Robert Brown

Character Name : Chief of Rowers (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Brown

Gender : Male

Liana Del Balzo

Character Name : Guest at Banquet (uncredited)

Original Name : Liana Del Balzo

Gender : Female

Enzo Fiermonte

Character Name : Galley Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Enzo Fiermonte

Gender : Male

Richard Hale

Character Name : Gaspar (uncredited)

Original Name : Richard Hale

Gender : Male

Duncan Lamont

Character Name : Marius (uncredited)

Original Name : Duncan Lamont

Gender : Male

John Le Mesurier

Character Name : Doctor (uncredited)

Original Name : John Le Mesurier

Gender : Male

Ferdy Mayne

Character Name : Captain of Rescue Ship (uncredited)

Original Name : Ferdy Mayne

Gender : Male

May McAvoy

Character Name : Woman in crowd (uncredited)

Original Name : May McAvoy

Gender : Female

Aldo Silvani

Character Name : Man in Nazareth (uncredited)

Original Name : Aldo Silvani

Gender : Male

Ralph Truman

Character Name : Aide to Tiberius (uncredited)

Original Name : Ralph Truman

Gender : Male

Claude Heater

Character Name : Christ

Original Name : Claude Heater

Gender : Male

Joe Canutt

Character Name : Sportsman (uncredited)

Original Name : Joe Canutt

Gender : Male

Richard Coleman

Character Name : Metellus (uncredited)

Original Name : Richard Coleman

Gender : Male

Antonio Corevi

Character Name : Senator (uncredited)

Original Name : Antonio Corevi

Gender : Male

David Davies

Character Name : Quaestor (uncredited)

Original Name : David Davies

Gender : Male

Mino Doro

Character Name : Gratus (uncredited)

Original Name : Mino Doro

Gender : Male

Michael Dugan

Character Name : Seaman (uncredited)

Original Name : Michael Dugan

Gender : Male

Franco Fantasia

Character Name : Roman Soldier Who Brings Crown to Gratus (uncredited)

Original Name : Franco Fantasia

Gender : Male

José Greci

Character Name : Mary (uncredited)

Original Name : José Greci

Gender : Female

John Horsley

Character Name : Spintho (uncredited)

Original Name : John Horsley

Gender : Male

Howard Lang

Character Name : Hortator (uncredited)

Original Name : Howard Lang

Gender : Male

Stevenson Lang

Character Name : Blind Man (uncredited)

Original Name : Stevenson Lang

Gender : Male

Tutte Lemkow

Character Name : Leper (uncredited)

Original Name : Tutte Lemkow

Gender : Male

Cliff Lyons

Character Name : The Lubian (uncredited)

Original Name : Cliff Lyons

Gender : Male

Tiberio Mitri

Character Name : Roman at Bath (uncredited)

Original Name : Tiberio Mitri

Gender : Male

Remington Olmsted

Character Name : Decurian (uncredited)

Original Name : Remington Olmsted

Gender : Male

Laurence Payne

Character Name : Joseph (uncredited)

Original Name : Laurence Payne

Gender : Male

Aldo Pini

Character Name : Bad Thief on Cross (uncredited)

Original Name : Aldo Pini

Gender : Male

Diego Pozzetto

Character Name : Villager (uncredited)

Original Name : Diego Pozzetto

Gender : Male

Stella Rho

Character Name : Amrah (uncredited)

Original Name : Stella Rho

Gender : Female

Edwin Richfield

Character Name : Supplier to Leper Colony (uncredited)

Original Name : Edwin Richfield

Gender : Male

Hector Ross

Character Name : Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Hector Ross

Gender : Male

Maxwell Shaw

Character Name : Rower No. 43 (uncredited)

Original Name : Maxwell Shaw

Gender : Male

Gianni Solaro

Character Name : Galley Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : Gianni Solaro

Gender : Male

Pietro Tordi

Character Name : Pilate's Servant (uncredited)

Original Name : Pietro Tordi

Gender : Male

Raimondo Van Riel

Character Name : Old Man (uncredited)

Original Name : Raimondo Van Riel

Gender : Male

Dervis Ward

Character Name : Jailer (uncredited)

Original Name : Dervis Ward

Gender : Male

Joe Yrigoyen

Character Name : The Egyptian - Chariot Racer (uncredited)

Original Name : Joe Yrigoyen

Gender : Male

Nazzareno Zamperla

Character Name : Roman Soldier with a Bow on Galley (uncredited)

Original Name : Nazzareno Zamperla

Gender : Male

Jerry Brown

Character Name : The Corinthian (uncredited)

Original Name : Jerry Brown

Gender : Male

Eddie Jauregui

Character Name : The Athenian (uncredited)

Original Name : Eddie Jauregui

Gender : Male

Gianni Di Segni

Character Name : Galley Guard on Ship (uncredited)

Original Name : Gianni Di Segni

Gender : Male

Armando Fracassi

Character Name : Arab (uncredited)

Original Name : Armando Fracassi

Gender : Male

Osiride Pevarello

Character Name : (uncredited)

Original Name : Osiride Pevarello

Gender : Male

Renzo Pevarello

Character Name : (uncredited)

Original Name : Renzo Pevarello

Gender : Male

Amerigo Santarelli

Character Name : Rower (uncredited)

Original Name : Amerigo Santarelli

Gender : Male

Artemio Antonini

Character Name : Galley Guard on Ship (uncredited)

Original Name : Artemio Antonini

Gender : Male

Aldo Cecconi

Character Name : Galley Guard on Ship (uncredited)

Original Name : Aldo Cecconi

Gender : Male

Mario Meniconi

Character Name : Crucifixion March Guard (uncredited)

Original Name : Mario Meniconi

Gender : Male

Terzo Monachesi

Character Name : Nobleman at the Chariot Race (uncredited)

Original Name : Terzo Monachesi

Gender : Male

Giorgio Ubaldi

Character Name : Rower (uncredited)

Original Name : Giorgio Ubaldi

Gender : Male

Reviews

J

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

Majestic in scope and story telling. The truth is, is that Ben-Hur deserved every award that was showered upon it. It's a titanic film both in structure and scope. It doesn't need me to go over old ground about how much the film cost to make, the number of extras, the number of sets and etc, it's now folklore that this film could have bankrupted MGM such was the investment, but they needn't have worried since the film went on to make 40 million and still counting. Every cent spent was worth it because it's a magnificent film, the kind that you can get swept away with, the minute the overture starts you feel little tingles as the hairs on your arms stand up on end, you are aware that for over three hours director William Wyler and lead actor Charlton Heston are going to own you. The story centres around Judah Ben-Hur (Heston) who through his staunch loyalty to the Jewish race falls out with his dear Roman friend Messala (Stephen Boyd). He is dispatched to be a slave in the galleys and swears revenge on Messala. After pirates attack the ship he is slaved on, he manages to escape and in the process he saves Roman Admiral Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins) and this sets Juda on his destiny to enact revenge on his old friend as Quintus makes him a citizen of Rome. It sounds so simple yet it's a story of the highest order because crucial to the film's core strength is Judah's encounters with Christ, and it's only during the harsh and upsetting final reel that we realise the whole point of the film. There's also strong themes involving family love and loyalty, friendships formed or broken under race and creed banners, and of course religious beliefs and all that comes with that kettle of fish... It's epic, it's simply beautiful, it's actually essential viewing for any serious cinema fan, the film's set pieces are still wondrous even today. You will marvel at the chariot race (a stunning 20 minutes long), you will hoist the flag during the pirate attack, and if you have the emotion in you? You will be hit with sombre silence as Christ is crucified. Come the closing music I personally feel like clapping such is the appreciation I have for this truly wonderful film, if you haven't seen it then make a point of doing so because everything that is great about cinema is right here. 10/10

S

sykobanana

@sykobanana

2021-06-23

What can be said about this film that hasnt already been said? I could (justly) use every superlative known and it still does not cover just how amazing this film is. It is the essence of EPIC (and not just historical epic). It is easy to see why it was not matched in the number of Oscars given for 50 years (and those 'equals' did not include any acting oscars and had more categories to choose from). I first watched this as a kid and struggled to stay awake to see the end late at night. And despite it not having the spectacle of say the Ten Commandments, it became a favourite which I have watched over and over again. I adore everything in this film - from the gritty stoic-ness of Heston's acting and cockiness of Boyd's, the fleshed out minor characters, the jaw-dropping sets, stirring score from Rozsa, the stunning costumes and of course to the incredible set pieces. This is film perfection that does not feel like its (nearly) 4 hour run time.

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2024-06-01

It will probably be remembered for it's chariot race long after all of the rest of it has faded away, but this is more than just that. It is a story about friendship, religion, power and opportunity - it is also about sheer bloody-mindedness and cruelty. It resonates all the more because these are all human traits that abound in all of us to some extent. The film looks truly amazing and Miklós Rósza is on top form with a score that encapsulates the Imperial grandeur of the Roman State in all of it's Tiberian pomp. The story, though, is a less impressive affair. Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd demonstrate how love can turn to hate splendidly when on screen together, the rest of the time neither performance really delivers much beyond the script. Jack Hawkins tries hard, but again doesn't quite hit the mark as the Consul. Hugh Griffith is a star as the mischievous, avaricious Sheik Ilderim and Sam Jaffe is also a good addition to this cast. It is way too long; after the chariot race it turns a little too much into the "tale of the Christ" referred to by author General Lew Wallace at the very start and for me, somehow loses it's way. The battle scenes at sea are great and the sumptuous costumes, cinematography and sound all well deserving of their golden statuettes. A very good, but not quite great, cinema epic.