Ben-Hur (1959) Film Discussion
An in-depth discussion of the epic 1959 film Ben-Hur, directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston.
Overview • Key Facts • The Story • The Chariot Race • Historical Significance • Themes • Legacy • Conclusion
Overview
Ben-Hur is a 1959 American epic historical drama film directed by William Wyler, produced by Sam Zimbalist, and starring Charlton Heston as the title character. The film is a remake of the 1925 silent film with a screenplay by Karl Tunberg, based on the 1880 novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by General Lew Wallace.
This film won a record 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. It was one of the highest-grossing films of its era and set the standard for epic historical films.
Key Facts
- Full Title: Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
- Release Year: 1959
- Director: William Wyler
- Studio: MGM
- Based on: The 1880 novel by Lew Wallace
- Genre: Historical drama / biblical epic
The Story
The film opens in Judea during the time of Christ's birth. Judah Ben-Hur is a wealthy Jewish prince living in Jerusalem with his mother and sister. His childhood friend Messala returns to Jerusalem as a commanding officer of the Roman legions, and the two friends are reunited with great joy.
However, their reunion soon turns bitter when Messala demands that Judah help identify and report Jewish rebels to the Roman authorities. Judah refuses, citing his loyalty to his people and his principles. This refusal creates a deep rift between the two former friends, transforming their bond into bitter enmity.
The conflict comes to a head during a parade for the new Roman governor. When loose tiles accidentally fall from the roof of Judah's house and strike the governor, Messala uses this accident as an opportunity for revenge. Despite knowing the incident was accidental, Messala has Judah arrested for attempted assassination. Without trial, Judah is sentenced to the galleys as a slave, while his mother and sister are imprisoned.
During his forced march to the galleys, Judah encounters Jesus of Nazareth in the town of Nazareth. Jesus gives him water, an act of kindness that Judah never forgets. This brief encounter marks the beginning of Judah's spiritual journey.
Judah spends years as a galley slave, enduring brutal conditions and harboring a burning desire for revenge against Messala. During a naval battle, Judah saves the life of the Roman consul Quintus Arrius. Grateful for being rescued, Arrius adopts Judah as his son, granting him Roman citizenship and freedom. Judah becomes a successful chariot racer in Rome, but his thoughts remain consumed by his desire to return to Jerusalem, find his family, and exact vengeance on Messala.
When Judah finally returns to Jerusalem, he discovers that his mother and sister have contracted leprosy in prison and now live in exile in the Valley of the Lepers. Determined to confront Messala, Judah challenges him to a chariot race in the Circus of Jerusalem - a contest that will become one of cinema's most memorable sequences.
The chariot race serves as the climactic confrontation between the two former friends. During the brutal competition, Messala is critically injured. On his deathbed, Messala cruelly reveals the fate of Judah's mother and sister, achieving a final moment of spite even in defeat.
Judah's quest shifts from revenge to seeking healing for his family. He encounters Jesus again during the crucifixion, witnessing the sacrifice and experiencing a profound transformation. In the film's conclusion, Judah's mother and sister are miraculously healed during a rainstorm following the crucifixion, and Judah finds redemption and peace, finally letting go of his hatred.
The Chariot Race
One of the most iconic sequences in cinema history, the chariot race scene took five weeks to film and remains a masterpiece of practical filmmaking. The nine-minute sequence features real horses, real chariots, and incredible stunt work that still holds up today.
Historical Significance
- Academy Awards: Won a record 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor
- Box Office: One of the highest-grossing films of its era
- Cultural Impact: Set the standard for epic historical films
- Technical Achievement: Groundbreaking cinematography and production design
Themes
The film explores themes of:
- Revenge and redemption
- Faith and spirituality
- Friendship and betrayal
- The power of forgiveness
- The clash between Roman and Jewish cultures
Legacy
Ben-Hur remains one of the most celebrated films in cinema history. Its influence can be seen in countless epic films that followed, and it continues to be studied for its technical achievements and powerful storytelling.
Conclusion
More than six decades after its release, Ben-Hur stands as a testament to the golden age of Hollywood epics. Its combination of grand spectacle, intimate human drama, and spiritual depth makes it a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences today.