description Ben-Hur (1959) Overview
Ben-Hur (1959) is an American epic historical drama directed by William Wyler, starring Charlton Heston as a Jewish prince in Roman-era Judea; it won eleven Academy Awards, a record matched only by Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
insights Ranking position
Ben-Hur (1959) ranks #9 of 212 in the Adventure Film ranking, behind Das Boot (1981), ahead of WALL-E (2008).
help Ben-Hur (1959) FAQ
How was the chariot race in Ben-Hur filmed?
The race was staged on a vast arena set at Cinecitta in Rome using real teams of horses, practical chariots, stunt performers, and multiple cameras. Charlton Heston trained extensively and performed much of the visible driving, while dangerous shots also relied on specialists.
Is Ben-Hur based directly on the Bible?
The main story comes from Lew Wallace's 1880 novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, not from a biblical book. Jesus appears at crucial points, but Judah Ben-Hur and Messala are fictional characters.
Why does Messala turn against Judah Ben-Hur?
Messala returns to Judea as an ambitious Roman officer and expects Judah to help identify opponents of Roman rule. Judah refuses, and their political and personal conflict deepens after an accident gives Messala a pretext to condemn Judah's family.
How many Academy Awards did Ben-Hur win?
Ben-Hur won 11 Academy Awards from 12 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director for William Wyler, and Best Actor for Charlton Heston. That record was later matched by Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
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