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Ben-Hur
1959 212 min United States of America G 0+
★8.8
History, Drama, Adventure
Director: William Wyler
🎭 Based on
«Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ»
byLewis Wallace
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Description
In ancient Judea, a Jewish aristocrat opposing Roman occupation of his homeland reunites with his childhood friend, now a Roman commander — setting in motion a saga of betrayal, adventure, tragedy, revenge, and faith.
Budget:
$15M
US Gross:
$74.43M
Worldwide:
$164M
Starring
Charlton Heston
Actor
Jack Hawkins
Actor
Stephen Boyd
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1960
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 1960
— Best Film Editing
Academy Awards 1960
— Best Sound
Academy Awards 1960
— Best Visual Effects
Academy Awards 1960
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Academy Awards 1960
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 1960
— Best Costume Design (Color)
Academy Awards 1960
— Best Score for a Drama or Comedy
Golden Globe 1960
— Best Director
Saturn Awards 2006
— Best DVD Edition of a Classic Film
Academy Awards 1960
— Best Picture
Academy Awards 1960
— Best Production Design (Color)
Academy Awards 1960
— Best Cinematography (Color)
Academy Awards 1960
— Best Director
Academy Awards 1960
— Best Actor
Golden Globe 1960
— Best Picture (Drama)
Golden Globe 1960
— Best Actor (Drama)
BAFTA 1960
— Best Picture
Key opinion
Ben-Hur (1959) is widely regarded as a definitive historical epic, celebrated for its monumental production scale, practical craftsmanship, and timeless thematic exploration of faith and revenge. While most viewers find its grand narrative and spectacle to be an essential cinematic experience, some critics feel the immense length occasionally hinders the pacing in the latter half.
| Production | The massive scale, utilizing thousands of extras and detailed practical sets, creates a level of physical immersion that modern CGI-reliant blockbusters struggle to replicate. | |
| Score | Miklós Rósza’s sweeping score provides a powerful auditory foundation that effectively captures the film's Roman grandeur and emotional stakes. | |
| Direction | The chariot race remains a benchmark for action cinema, praised for its intensity, authentic stunts, and technical execution. | |
| Acting | The central performances of Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd successfully ground the sweeping narrative in a compelling, high-stakes dynamic of betrayal and evolving friendship. | |
| Pacing | The three-hour-plus runtime is viewed as a testament to the film's epic ambition by some, while others feel the pacing flags or loses focus after the centerpiece chariot race. | |
| Acting | Opinions on Charlton Heston’s performance are split; while many find his stoicism iconic and vital to the protagonist's journey, some critics characterize his delivery as vague or unconvincing. |