Ben-Hur1959
Ben-Hur (1959)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Uneven, but in terms of epic scope and grand spectacle, Ben-Hur still ranks among Hollywood's finest examples of pure entertainment.
Ben-Hur Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Ben-Hur
as Quintus Arrius
as Messala
as Esther
as Miriam
as Simonedes
as Tirzah
as Balthazar
as Pontius Pilate
as Tiberius
as Flavia
as Sheik Ilderim
as Drusus
as Sextus
as Malluch
as Jesus
as Mary
as Gaspar
as Marcello
as Amrah
as Joseph
as Spintho
as Metellus
as Marius
as Aide to Tiberius
as Melchior
as Quaestor
as Jailer
as Gratus
as Chief of Rowers
as Rower No. 42
as Rower No. 43
as Rower No. 28
as Leper
as Hortator
as Doctor
as Blind Man
as Barca
as Starter at Race
as Centurion
as Officer
as Man in Nazareth
as Soldier
as Man in Nazareth
as Villager
as Raimondo
as Cavalry Officer
as Decurian
as Galley Officer
as Galley Officer
as Mario
as Roman at Bath
as Pilate's Servant
as The Corinthian
as The Byzantine
as Syrian
as Lubian
as Athenian
as Egyptian
as Armenian
as Old Man
as Seaman
as Sportsman
as Captain of Rescue Ship
News & Interviews for Ben-Hur
Critic Reviews for Ben-Hur
All Critics (51) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (44) | Rotten (7) | DVD (12)
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.
Clocking in at three hours forty-two minutes, Ben-Hur overstays its welcome. Still, despite scenes that occasionally run too long, the movie doesn't start to drag until after the chariot race and many of the early scenes are engaging.
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.
The biggest and the best of Hollywood's super-spectacles.
Entire new frontiers in boredom were opened up by this MGM whopper from 1959.
The movie could be trying to say that for some people religion is an escape from their sexuality, but it seems unlikely.
Audience Reviews for Ben-Hur
A sword and sandal epic intended to begger your measly little life...which it almost manages to do, dadgumit! Heston represents Israel groaning under the Roman yoke, needlessly persecuted, until we get to the famous climax: the chariot race. The notoriously long film should've ended there but instead tacks on a snooze-worthy bit about Christian redemption, perhaps as justification for the previous hours of hedonistic excess. Still, old school sumptuous-ness played for the epic factor, missing by only that much.
Super Reviewer
Powerful and masterfully crafted, Ben Hur is a timeless epic that will continue to thrill and move audience members throughout the generations.
Super Reviewer
William Wyler's epic and unforgettable masterpiece. One of the best remakes ever! Touching. Fresh.
Super Reviewer
Ben-Hur Quotes
| Messala: | Look for them in the Valley of the Lepers, if you can recognize them. The race goes on, Judah! |
| Messala: | Look for them in the Valley of the Lepers, if you can recognize them. The race goes on, Judah! |
| Quintus Arrius: | We keep you alive to serve this ship. |
| Quintus Arrius: | What is your name, forty-one? |
| Judah Ben Hur: | Judah Ben Hur. |